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John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Trey Williams, Ty Nsekhe among names to watch as Redskins decide roster

Some names to watch for the final roster spots:

OT Ty Nsekhe: Showed his strength Thursday night, driving his man off the ball on a couple occasions. He had some issues in protection, but he has good size (6-foot-8, 325 pounds) and muscle. He’d be a swing tackle, but this could mean the Redskins keep 10 offensive linemen, with Tom Compton as a lineman/tight end.

OG Spencer Long: He entered camp as a starter, but his play did not warrant keeping the job and he struggled in the final preseason game. He was a name to watch in the offseason and was expected to be a good fit with new line coach Bill Callahan. One coach said earlier this week that Long was safe, but did his play Thursday change anything?

WR Rashad Ross: Special teams matters for that sixth receiver spot. We’ve heard that for more than a few years, yet the last guy often is someone who simply wins a roster spot with his receiver play. Ross has starred this preseason. But among the deciding factors: Does he give them something they already have? Evan Spencer would provide special-teams help, but is he good enough there to bump Ross (if they only keep six wideouts)? Spencer is a draft pick of a first-year general manager, though, and that could make the difference.

RB Trey Williams: He was definitely behind Chris Thompson entering Thursday night; though Thompson wasn't flashy, Williams didn't do a whole lot to alter the perception. The only question is whether or not they keep four running backs plus a fullback. They could probably sneak Williams onto the practice squad. Remember, the question for guys in his spot is would they make someone else's active roster?

CB Deshazor Everett: If the Redskins keep five corners, he could be one – his name was brought up the other day by a coach as one to watch. One Redskins official said they were wrestling with what to do at corner. If they only keep four, they would add one more a week later when Bashaud Breeland is reinstated – so it’s not a guarantee they would keep five for the season opener.

OLB Houston Bates: Showed early flashes as a pass rusher and made a nice play in coverage, using good technique to break up a pass. But matched against better linemen, he didn’t do a whole lot. It’ll come down to special-teams ability – and perhaps their feelings on whether or not they want more depth here with Ryan Kerrigan’s knee issue. Kerrigan says he’s fine and could have played this preseason. The waiver wire could produce another player at this spot.

OLB Jackson Jeffcoat: There’s a difference in what he showed off the edge vs. Bates. To me it’s clear which one belongs. Jeffcoat looks better than last year and should be the fourth outside linebacker. Whether that happens or not is someone else’s decision.

OLB Terrance Plummer: His bid is helped by the loss of linebacker Adam Hayward. It’s really difficult to see both Bates and Plummer making the team, so it’s likely down to one spot for both.

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