The Washington NFL team opens training camp for the 2020 season on July 28 at its practice facility in Ashburn, Virginia. The franchise finished its turbulent 2019 season 3-13, leading to major changes on the field and in the front office. Washington returns 18 starters for a new coaching staff led by Ron Rivera and coordinators Jack Del Rio (defense) and Scott Turner (offense). Rivera's rebuilding effort is underway, but could face a bumpy start with a lot of inexperience in the lineup. Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen
Washington acquired Allen, who played for Rivera and Turner in Carolina, in case there's an abbreviated camp and Haskins hasn't quite mastered the offense. If nothing else, Allen can help Haskins learn the system. Otherwise, Haskins is the present and the future. He had a strong offseason, but the key will be how quickly he and the rest of the offensive players can implement a new system. They'll need time. Alex Smith must be included in the discussion, but it would be asking a lot for him to make the roster out of camp, though he could stick around on injured reserve.
RUNNING BACK (5): Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, J.D. McKissic, Peyton Barber, Antonio Gibson
If Guice's knee holds up, he could flourish because of his three-down ability, but in his first two years he suffered three knee injuries and has played only five games. Peterson, 35, has rushed for a combined 1,940 yards the past two seasons and was the most reliable back; he can still help. McKissic will be the third-down back and Gibson offers versatility, able to run routes as a receiver out wide. Because of a 2018 knee injury, there are too many health questions about 2019 fourth-round pick Bryce Love to include him on this list.
RECEIVER (6): Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Trey Quinn, Cam Sims, Cody Latimer
A lot of questions here. Latimer's spot is in jeopardy, and his status will depend on what the league decides after investigating a May incident in which he was charged with assault and illegal discharge of a firearm. He could be suspended. Washington lost Kelvin Harmon to a torn ACL; now rookie Gandy-Golden must produce. McLaurin is legit. Sims could be fun to watch in the slot this season.
TIGHT END (3): Jeremy Sprinkle, Logan Thomas, Richard Rodgers
Once more, lots of questions. Sprinkle is a blocking tight end, Thomas is a former quarterback who has made the transition to tight end, and Rodgers has missed a combined 24 games the past two years with injuries. He's not a lock, and it's possible someone such as Marcus Baugh or undrafted free agent Thaddeus Moss could earn a spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Geron Christian, Wes Martin, Wes Schweitzer, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Keith Ismael
Christian likely will get the first chance to start at left tackle, with the rookie Charles also a possibility. Martin and Schweitzer will battle at left guard. Washington focused on adding quality depth along the line after dealing with multiple injuries the past three years. Moses' weight is down; he needs that to translate into a consistent season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Tim Settle, Ryan Kerrigan, Ryan Anderson
This should be the strength of the team, thanks to the addition of Young. He and Sweat likely will bookend the line; both have terrific length and the ability to create havoc with stunts inside. All but Ioannidis, Settle and Anderson were first-round picks.
LINEBACKER (7): Cole Holcomb, Thomas Davis, Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Reuben Foster, Khaleke Hudson, Kevin Pierre-Louis
Foster remains the big question, as he missed 2019 with a torn ACL and nerve damage. It remains to be seen how healthy he is, but there's at least cautious hope he'll progress enough to help at one of the outside spots. The team is excited about Holcomb. Davis provides leadership; at 37, it'll be interesting to see what he has left.
CORNERBACK (6): Fabian Moreau, Ronald Darby, Jimmy Moreland, Kendall Fuller, Aaron Colvin, Danny Johnson
This group faces the most questions on defense after losing both starting corners from last season. Darby is talented, but often injured. Moreau will return outside, where he's more suited. Fuller was a key acquisition and will be a big help covering in the slot and occasionally dropping to safety. Moreland will be one to watch outside.
SAFETY (4): Landon Collins, Sean Davis, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke
Davis has played multiple spots in the secondary but Washington likes him at free safety. There's a sense that Collins could be used more in the box than he was last season, comparable to early in his Giants career. That would allow him to make a bigger impact.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Dustin Hopkins, P Tress Way, LS Nick Sundberg
They've been together since 2015. Way seems to improve each season and is coming off his first Pro Bowl berth.