Reading the Redskins UDFA tea leaves for how these players fit the roster

Something is brewing at Redskins camp with the relatively limited positions represented by the new UDFAs.  What is it?

First off, the key positions targeted are:

• Corner/Free Safety hybrid players
• Swing Tackle/Guard hybrid players
• Edge Rushers
• Tall Wide Receivers
• Possession Running Back

At this crazy early time to predict, the new potential Quinton Dunbar of the group has to be Lloyd Carrington.  He tackles like a linebacker and has the speed of a corner.  Perfect Free Safety material, if he has the smarts, which we will only find out in training camp. This is a huge Redskins need.  For someone that didn’t even start playing until really late in life, he has tremendous upside potential.   I believe they like this late pickup so much, they immediately cut Tevin Carter, a Safety many thought had the chance to make the roster let alone last a day of training camp.

The other big question is what is going at Center and Left Guard.  It’s possible that the Redskins plan to take Ty Nysekhe, the backup swing tackle (and probably the 3rd best offensive lineman on the team), and start him at Left Guard.  That possible plan is supported by who they brought in as UFDAs. Spencer Long at Center or really any position isn’t something to get excited about, but who knows?  Maybe he does it and it works out well.  I have to the give the starting edge to UFDA lineman Dominick Jackson who blocked for the Heisman winning RB but am intrigued with the Ty Nysekhe size of Kevin Bowen.

The other main theme in the UFDAs is that previous UFDAs are going to be challenged for their spots.  Bates at Edge Rusher, Everett at Corner/Free Safety, Redd (suspended) at RB, Rashad Ross at WR, Logan Paulsen at Tight End, etc.

The slow pass rush needs more Galettes so whoever has the fastest speed rush is likely to win at least a spot on the Practice Squad.  That would seemingly give the edge to Ejiro Ederaine (who models his game after Von Miller) over Anthony Lanier (a potential Preston Smith clone).

Another player to look for out for is Maurice Harris at Wide Receiver.  He could challenge Ryan Grant and Rashad Ross but most likely will have to set his sights on a spot on the Practice Squad.  He has great bloodlines as the cousin of star NFL receiver Keenan Allen.

Stay tuned as the feedback starts rolling in from Rookie mini-camp and beyond. Another theme with this year’s UFDA’s is that they seem to be a much higher level than previous years.  They seem like “football players.”