https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ith-preseason/
notable:
The disappointment thus far has to be Stephen Paea, who lost his starting job one week into last season and missed the final five games with injury, and has yet to have an impact. He has lacked consistency, flashing one play, going silent the next three or four. He has the talent, and racked up six sacks his final year at Chicago, but hasn’t managed to find comfort within Washington’s system.
But the Redskins still need another edge rusher to help be the additional disruptive force that their defense lacked last season, and that Junior Galette would have provided had he not ruptured another Achilles’ tendon just days before training camp.
Houston Bates, Lynden Trail and Willie Jefferson will continue to get chances to prove themselves in the preseason. But McCloughan will likely pick up another player at this position once teams start making cuts to go from 90 to 75 players, or from 75 to 53
One other offensive position battle that requires additional monitoring: tight end. Jordan Reed is No. 1, no question. But Niles Paul opened camp as the oft-used No. 2, ahead of Vernon Davis, and has since dropped to occasionally-used fullback/third tight end. Last week with Reed out, Davis started ahead of Paul. Throughout camp, Paul has played well, so it’s a curious development, and Paul has appeared frustrated. It remains to be seen if Davis has received additional opportunities as coaches try to see just how much he has in the tank, or if they see him as a better fit.