Rookie report: A look at how the rookies have fared entering the preseason schedule. Keep in mind that things will change over the next several weeks; and the players at the end of the class were hurt by lack of offseason work with coaches.
1. LB Ryan Kerrigan. You can see his speed when he’s able to just play without thinking; in other words, when he’s rushing. Saw him chase the quarterback from the backside Wednesday and looked good. But he has a ways to go to become a full-time player. Kerrigan plays slower in coverage because he’s still thinking. He also needs to learn how to rush from a two-point stance. One difference: In college, he loved using his hands on a rush (as did Andre Carter). It takes time to learn how to use them effectively out of a two-point stance. And he must learn to stay consistently low. But he’s clearly smart and that helps.
On pace for: Whether it’s the first game of the season or soon thereafter, he will start.
2. DE Jarvis Jenkins. My man. He’s shown power and a quick first step. The coaches continue to work with him off to the side on taking the proper steps. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares against a different line; and how he handles the recognition of an offense.
On pace for: the No. 3 end. But he will play a lot.
3. WR Leonard Hankerson. Wrote a story on him that talks about his drops. Those have been an issue. But you can also see why he was drafted as he’s made some tough catches. He also uses his size well, thanks to a solid body and long arms. But he can improve here as well, learning tricks to even better shield defenders.
On pace for: The No. 4 WR position. He hasn’t shown any reason to be among the top three. And in a year with no offseason coaching he still has a lot to learn.
4. RB Roy Helu. Anxious to see his feet and how he cuts in the game. Very tough to get a handle on running backs in camp (see Johnson, Larry 2010). Also, he needs a lot of work at picking up the blitz, which was evident during a one-on-one drill two days ago. See if he keeps his head up while doing this in the games.
On pace for: The No. 3 RB job. Why? Because that’s how he entered camp. But let’s see how Friday goes first. If he can’t pick up the blitz then he drops a peg.
5. S DeJon Gomes. Like running backs, it can be difficult to gauge how a safety is doing, except when they blow a coverage as Gomes did the other day. But it’s also tough to judge based on one play. He’s worked a lot at strong safety, but will play both spots.
On pace for: Practice squad. But with Kareem Moore nursing a sore knee, Gomes has a shot if he improves, as you would expect he would. He was really hurt by the lack of offseason work with coaches. Anderson Russell is ahead of him, however. Also, Reed Doughty and Chris Horton can play free safety as well. But my guess is the coaches will want to get him on the roster somehow and that ultimately he’ll be ont he 53-man squad.
6. WR Niles Paul. Has stood out because of his consistent hands. He’s a physical player and is as anxious as anyone to show it on the field. I like that he pesters WR coach Keenan McCardell for more reps/time. He needs to polish his routes.
On pace for: Practice squad/No. 6 WR spot. Long way to go but had a good opening two weeks. Needs to make plays on special teams in the preseason. Right now he’s behind guys like Terrence Austin and Donte Stallworth. But can you keep Stallworth as a fifth or sixth WR if he doesn’t play special teams. Don’t think so.
7. RB Evan Royster. Better than Helu at picking up the blitz, at least in the one-on-one drill. But does he have the quickness to be effective? Don’t know yet. He’s not a home run hitter like Helu, but he was a chain mover at Penn State.
On pace for: Practice squad. But I can easily see him moving up once the games get going.
8. WR Aldrick Robinson. Like his footwork and he has good speed. Saw him blow past Brandyn Thompson on one deep ball. But I wish he caught it more smoothly. He’ll also likely get time as a returner.
On pace for: Practice squad.
9. CB Brandy Thompson. See above. Thompson hasn’t yet shown a whole lot and this is a crowded position.
On pace for: Practice squad.
10. G/T Maurice Hurt. He looked bad the first time they worked him at tackle in the one-on-one drills, but he quickly improved. He’s worked a lot at both guard, which he played in college, and tackle. Though he looks every bit the rookie, he’s also looked better than Selvish Capers.
On pace for: A roster spot. I’m surprised to write that, but when you look at the depth chart he could be the guy they keep and deactivate each week. But after final cuts I wouldn’t be surprised if the Redskins find another backup G/T type and Hurt lands on the practice squad. For now, though, Capers hasn’t looked good, neither has Xavier Fulton. Both play guard. This position will be a fluid one.
11. LB Markus White. I’ve seen athleticism in one-on-one drills, but mostly against the lesser linemen. He hasn’t shown moves that would beat a veteran lineman just yet. When linemen are patient vs. him, they win.
On pace for: Practice squad. Worth developing to see if he can become another Rob Jackson.
12. NT Chris Neild. He’s shown power and clearly understands leverage. He also needs to learn proper angles to take against defensive linemen and how to deal with multiple blockers coming from all over. Worth developing.
On pace for: Practice squad. With Barry Cofield and Anthony Bryant, the Redskins are set at this position.
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