The first three receivers for the Washington Redskins are obvious: Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts. A fourth, Ryan Grant, is a lock after an impressive training camp and preseason. That leaves two more spots -- if they go with six receivers.
Here’s how it breaks down entering the final preseason game:
Santana Moss: I have a hard time seeing him left off the roster. He’s a good route-runner who can help from a couple spots. Though he’s no longer a deep threat, he can help underneath. Yes, he can also return punts but his days as a dangerous one are long gone and at best he’s a pinch-hitter in this area. Moss provides insurance from scrimmage.
Aldrick Robinson: Speed. That’s what he has and it’s why another somewhat inconsistent camp might be overlooked. We’ve heard each of the past two summers how he’s improved as a route-runner and can run a greater variety of routes. It’s not as if every route he ran last season was a go-route. Far from it. He’s now running routes at a more correct depth. What’s always troubled me is that he does not create a lot of separation underneath, something I talked to the coaches about last year as well. Still, they like that he can play all three receiver positions – and that he’s fast. If you cut Robinson, then you lose any speed among the backups. Grant does not have it; Moss is no longer a deep threat and Nick Williams is not a burner either.
Nick Williams: He can help the Redskins from the slot, though coach Jay Gruden said he can help from all three spots. But it’s hard to imagine him from anywhere other than the slot for a prolonged period. Williams did not make much of an impact when he played last season, though he was also a rookie. He did not show well as a returner either. If anyone bumps Robinson off the roster, it’s Williams. Cleveland’s coaches are familiar with Williams so they might grab him if he becomes available. But someone would pick up Robinson as well; it’s much better to have players you cut get picked up – it means you’re doing a better job finding the right guys.
Lee Doss: The rookie from Southern has not done enough to bump anyone from the final 53. But he did have a fine training camp, enough to warrant consideration for the practice squad.
