Quarterbacks

Starter: John Beck
Backup(s): Kellen Clemens

Starting QB: A year ago the Redskins were beaming at their good fortune. New head coach Mike Shanahan managed to trade for long-time division rival Donovan McNabb, and both the veteran Pro Bowler and head coach were all smiles as they ushered in a new era in Washington. As the saying goes, the honeymoon didn't last long. After a 4-4 start heading into the bye, the Redskins floundered down the stretch, losing six of their last eight. Along the way, Coach Shanahan decided that McNabb wasn't a good fit for his offense, and inexplicably benched him for Rex Grossman. Fast forward to this year, and there is nothing but uncertainty. Donovan McNabb was traded to Minnesota, Rex Grossman is an unrestricted free agent and thus far the only addition to the QB mix is Kellen Clemens. For now, we have no choice but to accept Coach Shanahan at his word and pencil John Beck in as the presumptive starter. Beck, a 6'2", 215 pound pocket passer, was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round, and started 4 games as a rookie (going 0-4). He hasn't played a regular season snap since.

Backup QB: Once upon a time Kellen Clemens was considered a masterful selection by the Jets in the 2nd round, and many felt he had the talent to eventually displace Chad Pennington. Fast forward a few seasons and Clemens was deemed expendable after serving as the Jets 3rd stringer, and now he stands poised to compete for the backup job in Washington.

Running Backs

Starter: Ryan Torain
Backup(s): Tim Hightower, Keiland Williams, Roy Helu [R], Evan Royster [R], James Davis
Fullback(s): Mike Sellers, Darrel Young

Starting RB: Year Two of the Mike Shanahan era is going to bring wholesale changes to the RB stable, and a true youth movement is in effect. Last year people were questioning whether Clinton Portis would lose carries to Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. This year none of them will be wearing Redskins' jerseys, with Portis being released earlier in the offseason. The projected starter, at least for now, is Ryan Torain. Torain was a 5th round draft pick in 2008 by the Denver Broncos, and Mike Shanahan brought Torain to D.C. with him as a backup. Even though Torain hadn't shown much in Denver, injuries to Portis opened the door for Torain, and he made the most of his opportunity. The 6'0", 213-pounder started 8 games and ran for 742 yards (4.5 per carry) and 4 TDs. While he'll likely be pushed by the other backs on the roster, he should be in line for the first chance at the bellcow role.

Backup RBs: There are a lot of RBs under contract (or drafted rookies) right now in D.C. and we can be sure the herd will be thinned as soon as the season gets underway in earnest. For now, recently acquired Tim Hightower stands the best chance at major playing time alongside (or ahead of) Torain. Hightower has never been much of a runner, but is a good blocker and a better-than-average receiver. He should lock down the 3rd down role at worst. A pair of rookies -- Roy Helu and Evan Royster -- are the next in line for carries. Coach Shanahan was particularly effusive about Helu after the draft, saying, "He was that 4.45 guy coming out, very physical, and once he had that open lane, he could go the distance. I look at Helu as having that type of ability, that type of speed." Royster projects more as a special teams contributor and backup.

Fullback: At 6'3"�, 260 lbs, Mike Sellers is more like a 6th offensive lineman than an offensive threat with the ball in his hands. That said, the 35-year old fullback is an able receiver, and may have just enough left in the tank to hold off Young.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Santana Moss [FA], Anthony Armstrong
Backups: Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Brandon Banks, Leonard Hankerson [R], Niles Paul [R], Aldrick Robinson [R]

Starting WRs: Santana Moss re-signed for three years, making it likely he will finish his NFL career as a Redskin. It was smart to re-sign him as Moss is not only the team's best pass catcher, but he's coming off a 93 reception, 1,115-yard season for an otherwise moribund passing offense. Moss deserves credit for evolving his game as he's gotten older. At 32 years old, the 5'10", 200-pound pass catcher no longer has the blazing speed to blow past defensive backs. In fact, last year marked the sixth consecutive season of declines in his yards per catch (12.0). However, he still has great hands, and has become a disciplined route runner; which allow him to overcome his small size and make plays in traffic. Anthony Armstrong is the likely starter opposite Santana Moss, and in a way he's become what Moss used to be. Armstrong started 11 games in 2010 and averaged an impressive 19.8 yards per catch on 44 receptions. At 5'11", 183 pounds, Armstrong isn't going to overpower defensive backs, but he does provide an essential deep threat that can keep defenses honest while Moss and TE Chris Cooley work the middle.

Backup WRs: The Redskins has struggled to get production out of their WR corps (other than Santana Moss) for years, which is why Washington used three draft picks on the position in April's draft. The gem of the group is 3rd round pick Leonard Hankerson. Hankerson was a productive receiver for the University of Miami, and has a nice size (6'2", 209 pound) and speed combination. While he isn't the most polished route runner, he is physical and adjusts well to the ball. Coach Shanahan said Hankerson will have an opportunity to win a starting job early, and his size would be a welcome addition to what otherwise is a smallish group of projected starters. In the 5th round Washington grabbed another big receiver -- Niles Paul -- out of Nebraska. Paul (6'0", 224 pounds) doesn't have top end speed or the best hands, but play aggressively, can get off the line, and is an option in tight coverage. Aldrick Robinson is most likely a practice squad or special teams contributor. Shanahan also acquired veterans Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth in late July, and one or both may end up in the rotation depending on how quickly the rookies strut their stuff.

Tight Ends

Starters: Chris Cooley
Backups: Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen

Chris Cooley bounced back nicely from an injury shortened 2009 season, and started all 16 games for the Redskins on route to a 77-catch, 849-yard season. The only fly in the ointment was that Cooley only scored 3 times, continuing a streak of subpar TD production (6 total TDs in last three years). Either way, Cooley remains what he's always been, a hard working, smooth route runner with good hands. He's set to reprise his role as one of Washington's main offensive conduits. Fred Davis acquitted himself well in 2009 as a starter in place of Cooley, and many expected the Redskins to utilize two-TE sets with regularity as a result. That really never materialized as Davis only caught 21 receptions last year in 16 games. That said, we still saw glimpses of what he's capable of, indicated by his 3 TDs and 15 yards-per-catch average. Logan Paulsen returns as the primary blocking tight end.