Thomas, Kelly, Tryon, Jarmon are in danger of being cut this week
ASHBURN – Mike Shanahan made it clear: He won’t keep draft picks around just to keep them. And those were the picks the Redskins coach made. Those he didn’t make are in more trouble.
“The worst thing people do is keep a draft pick just to keep a draft pick,” Shanahan said.
Four former draft picks — all selected in the fourth round or higher in the past three years — will be on the bubble this week for various reasons. Some around the NFL already are anticipating that at least two of these players will be cut. Don’t be surprised if the Redskins try to shop a couple of them first. The first round of cuts must be made by 4 p.m. Tuesday and the final cuts will be made by 4 p.m. Saturday.
WR Malcolm Kelly
Case for » When he re-injures his hamstring, and already is considered injury prone, it’s hard to make a strong argument for his return. But he does have good hands and excellent size. Neither trait can be easily dismissed.
Case against » See above. Injuries always are a factor with him. Before he was drafted, some teams took him off their draft boards because of the injury concerns. Even the Redskins were warned about him by their medical staff. In a haste to draft tall receivers, they didn’t listen.
WR Devin Thomas
Case for » Thomas remains one of the more physically gifted receivers on the roster. He has the size and speed coaches love. Thomas also can play special teams, both as a kick returner and in coverage, and is physical in the running game. In this offense, that’s a big deal.
Case against » He hasn’t progressed enough as a receiver, running inconsistent routes and dropping too many passes. This coaching staff, for whatever reason, hasn’t warmed to him.
DL Jeremy Jarmon
Case for » He showed flashes as an end his rookie season and, had he not entered the supplemental draft, this would be his rookie year. The Redskins need youth along the line and he gives them some. Plus they asked him to put on 35 pounds and learn a new spot, all while coming off reconstructive knee surgery.
Case against » Jarmon remains a project and likely is a better fit as a 4-3 end, where he’s not asked to hold gaps. The Redskins knew when they drafted him that he needed to get stronger. Because he was rehabbing his knee all offseason, he couldn’t do that. “If you want to win now, why keep him around?” one NFL executive said.
CB Justin Tryon
Case for » He’s an experienced player, entering his third season, and offers quickness. He can cover in the slot and helps on special teams. He never projected as a starter when the Redskins picked him in the fourth round two years ago, but was expected to be a serviceable backup.
Case against » Other corners — Kevin Barnes and Byron Westbrook — have passed him on the depth chart and, at this point, it would be a mild surprise if he makes the roster. The Redskins want their corners to play physical and that’s not what Tryon does best. Westbrook can do what Tryon does on special teams and then some.
