Redskins depth chart 2019: Dwayne Haskins, Montez Sweat key for Jay Gruden

The Redskins, to many people's surprise, did not make a coaching change from Jay Gruden despite a second playoff-less 7-9 season. But after Alex Smith, now 35, suffered a serious leg injury late last season, Washington had to finally had to move forward at quarterback.

Washington first got its contingency plan with an easy trade for Case Keenum, the bridge starter in Denver and Minnesota the past two seasons. But then the team went fully to the future by drafting Dwayne Haskins — its first first-round QB since Robert Griffin III seven long years ago.

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Going into training camp, the Redskins still have plenty of things to sort out offensively around the Keenum-Haskins battle. Defensively, they had room for a luxury signing that came out of necessity (Landon Collins), followed by a much-needed boost to their pass rush from their other first-rounder (Montez Sweat).

Here's a look at Washington's projected depth chart for 2019, focusing on the most notable changes.

Redskins depth chart: offense

Quarterback

Keenum and Haskins are in a familiar veteran vs. rookie competition. Keenum has impressed Gruden so far with his experience and quick grasp of the offense. But Haskins offers intelligence beyond his years to go with his higher-upside physical tools.

Keenum is the so-called safe route, but Haskins can also force Gruden's hand and start right away if he shows confidence and pocket awareness to match his natural arm strength and accuracy. The burden is on Keenum to separate with savvy in camp, because if it's tied or close, the job should easily go to Haskins.

There was another point to Keenum's signing. Smith's top backup, Colt McCoy, is entering his age-33 season while also recovering from a broken leg. The Redskins are optimistic McCoy will be able to do work in camp, but they also are watching to see if Keenum, 31, can be a slightly younger upgrade.

The Redskins have refused to give up on Smith during his recovery, but it's a long shot for him to return anytime soon. They have every reason to turn the page to Haskins now and keep Keenum in the role most comfortable for him.

Wide receiver

Washington was one of the worst teams in the NFL at this position last season with Josh Doctson and, when he was healthy, Paul Richardson. With no notable free-agent additions, those two remain the default starters until rookies Terry McLaurin (third round) and Kelvin Harmon (sixth round) are developed enough to contribute outside.

McLaurin is a speedster who's built to be more effective than Richardson in stretching the field, while Harmon is a possession guy who has a chance to displace Doctson. McLaurin's connection with Haskins from Ohio State helps, as does Harmon's toughness. What does not help is that they need polish as route runners, and neither fits the profile as a No. 1 receiver for the short term.

While the Redskins hope Doctson and Richardson can stay healthy enough to give a little more for Haskins, Trey Quinn might become their most reliable option. Now that the Mr. Irrelevant of the 2018 NFL Draft is fully healthy, the Redskins have great feelings about him in the slot. Quinn (6-0, 220 pounds) was the reason Washington could let Jamison Crowder (5-9, 177 pounds) walk in free agency.

Whether the passes are coming from Keenum or Haskins, look for Quinn to be targeted like a big inside go-to guy.

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Guard

The Redskins moved on from former starting left guard Shawn Lauvao and drafted two interior linemen in Wes Martin (third round) and Ross Pierschbacher (fifth round). But going to camp, they seem set on giving Ereck Flowers, the former Giants bust at tackle, a shot to start between Trent Williams and Chase Rouiller.

This is a worthy experiment, because it keeps Flowers from being the big liability he was in pass protection, and he can get more out of his 6-6, 334-pound frame in the running game. If he fails, then the hope will be either Martin or Pierschbacher can be ready for the duties.

The worst-case scenario would be a continued impasse with Williams that leads to his departure. For now, that would force the team to put Flowers at tackle and turn to one of the rookies inside, with limited available help on the street. As it stands, the Redskins have a strong line to keep Haskins or Keenum upright and power a higher-juice running game with the hopeful return of Derrius Guice.

Redskins depth chart: defense

Outside linebacker

The reason the Redskins had to get aggressive to get Sweat after his first-round stock fell was their free-agency loss of Preston Smith, who was a strong complementary edge-rusher and run-stopper to Ryan Kerrigan. With Smith (6-5, 265 pounds) now in Green Bay, Sweat (6-6, 260 pounds) will be called upon to be more than a situational player, because Ryan Anderson is better suited to remain a swing reserve.

Sweat comes in more complete than those prospects with his freakish size and athleticism. Washington thinks he can step in and replace what Smith did (and more) right away. The only question is whether he will be able to shake off the health concerns that caused him to slip in the draft.

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Inside linebacker

The Redskins took their biggest free-agency hit in not being able to afford to keep Zach Brown for his age-30 season. He ended up upgrading the Eagles, instead, in the middle of their 4-3. Making matters worse for Washington was the loss of Reuben Foster to a torn ACL in OTAs.

Mason Foster was a surprise release at the onset of camp, making it a wide-open battle to help replace Brown. Jon Bostic has scheme experience and is OK filling against the run, but he is coming off an ineffective stopgap season with the Steelers. Shaun Dion Hamilton, a second-year sixth-round pick, flashed as a blitzer last year and has a good chance to start an the absence of the Fosters. Rookie fifth-rounder Cole Holcomb was drafted because of his blazing speed, and he carries the most explosive potential for the position.

With youth in Sweat serving the edge, Gruden and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky should also be willing to let Holcomb loose and see how he can raise the playmaking quotient. The Redskins might soon discover he is a version of Brown with fresher legs.

Safety

With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Bears) and D.J. Swearinger (Cardinals) gone, the Redskins were smart to splurge on Landon Collins in free agency. The departing safeties did a lot for Washington in all capacities. Collins offers much of the same with his nose for making plays in coverage and hard hitting in run support. For the big signing to pay off, however, he needs to rediscover his dominant form, which was missing in 2018.

While Collins fills one hole, give Montae Nicholson, who started seven games last season, the mild edge over Deshazor Everett at the other safety spot. Nicholson is the steadier upfield player to better complement Collins' range and flashiness, but Everett could steal the job by showing more ballhawking skills.