The doldrums of the NFL offseason are upon us, and with that comes…well, less to write about until training camp begins.
With a brand new crop of players added this offseason via trades, free agency, the NFL Draft and undrafted free agents, I wanted to take my first stab at predicting the 53-man roster and practice squad. Now, I know this will remain very fluid, as players will be added and cut before we even get to training camp, however, I will play the hand I’m dealt and give it my best shot with the current roster.
Below is my breakdown of offense, defense and special team, followed by practice squad candidates.
Offense (24)
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
QB (2)
Starter: Jayden Daniels
Backup: Marcus Mariota
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
RB (3)
Starters: Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler
Backup: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
WR (6)
Starters: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown
Backups: Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Michael Gallup
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
TE (4)
Starter: Zach Ertz
Backups: John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
OL (9)
Starters: Laremy Tunsil, Brandon Coleman, Tyler Biadasz, Andrew Wylie, Josh Conerly
Backups: Trent Scott, Nick Allegretti, Nate Herbig, Tim McKay
*Sam Cosmi to PUP
Defense (26)
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
EDGE (5)
Starters: Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise
Backups: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Clelin Ferrell, Jacob Martin
Peter Casey-Imagn Images
DT (5)
Starters: Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw
Backups: Jer’Zhan Newton, Eddie Goldman, Sheldon Day
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
LB (5)
Starters: Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu
Backups: Jordan Magee, Dominique Hampton, Kain Medrano
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
CB (6)
Starters: Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil
Backups: Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Fentrell Cyprus
Peter Casey-Imagn Images
S (5)
Starters: Quan Martin, Will Harris
Backups: Tyler Owens, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves
Special Teams (3)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Punter (1)
Tress Way
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kicker (1)
Matt Gay
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Long Snapper (1)
Tyler Ott
Returners
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Kick Returners
Luke McCaffrey, Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Punt Returner
Jaylin Lane
Practice Squad Candidates:
Sam Hartman (QB)
Chris Rodriguez (RB)
Michael Wiley (RB)
Lawrence Cager (TE)
Ja’Corey Brooks (WR)
Jacoby Jones (WR)
Tyre Phillips (OL)
Chris Paul (OL)
Foster Sarell (OL)
Jalyn Holmes (DL)
Norell Pollard (DL)
Andre Jones (DL)
*T.J. Maguranyanga (DL)
Kam Arnold (LB)
Allan George (DB)
Carlin Viggers (DB)
Robert McDaniel (DB)
Notes:
-I see no reason to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster.
-I went with just three running backs because Samuel could also see some carries back there.
-The fight for WR6 should be an interesting one to watch during camp.
-We kept four tight ends last year, and the staff seems to like Yankoff as a special teams contributor.
-I have us keeping nine offensive linemen, however, if another spot opens up, I could see us adding a tenth.
-With the focus on stopping the run, I think 10 defensive linemen is the number we go with.
-I see the three young linebackers being kept over the 36yr old Nick Bellore.
-I was torn on six corners and four safeties, but it seems the staff does not want to lose the leadership and special teams prowess of Reaves – even if he won’t see much action on defense, so I went with a fifth safety.
-Lane should be the obvious punt returner.
-Because he’s a bit older, I kept Ekeler off kick returns and let McCaffrey and JCM handle those duties.