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Redskins: Evaluating roles for the cornerbacks in wake of Josh Norman’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Defensive backs Joshua Holsey #20 and Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins break up a pass intended for wide receiver Chris Matthews #13 of the Baltimore Ravens during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Defensive backs Joshua Holsey #20 and Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins break up a pass intended for wide receiver Chris Matthews #13 of the Baltimore Ravens during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Fabian Moreau and Joshua Holsey

The two rookies at the cornerback position are likely to see a small bump in playing time as a result of Norman’s injury. The bigger role will go to Fabian Moreau. Moreau, a third round pick out of UCLA, flashed excellent cover skills in the preseason and has been a special teams ace to start the season.

With Norman out and Dunbar starting, the Redskins are likely to move Moreau into the role as the No. 4 corner. That will likely help him to see about 20 percent of the team’s defensive snaps as Dunbar had been getting in the past.

Moreau will get a chance to show that he deserves to get a cut of the defensive snaps. He has the cover skills necessary to be a No. 1 corner in the future, so getting him experience now could help to accelerate his development. If he excels, he will earn more snaps. This is entirely possible given his immense potential, and he has the highest upside of the non-starting cornerbacks.

Elsewhere, Joshua Holsey will likely be active for the first time against the 49ers. Holsey was a seventh round pick out of Virginia Tech where he worked with the aforementioned Torrian Gray. He looks capable of manning the nickel back position, but will likely see time on special teams to start his career. Holsey is another corner with upside, so getting him some reps will be nice for the team.

Next: Redskins schedule predictions for the rest of the season

Overall, the Redskins have the depth needed to remain competitive as they deal with the loss of their top cornerback. There is no way that they can completely replace Norman, but the unit will have a chance to succeed if the Redskins are able to figure out their best personnel combinations with the listed players.

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