Grading the Redskins inside linebackers on the 2017 performance
Josh Harvey-Clemons
When Josh Harvey-Clemons was picked in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, there was some hope that the safety/linebacker would become a quality player. Harvey-Clemons has a lot of athletic upside, and his 6-foot-4 frame is solid for a linebacker.
As a rookie, Harvey-Clemons put forth a solid season. Harvey-Clemons didn’t see a lot of action in the first half of the season, but that was to be expected. He had functioned mostly as a safety in college and was making the switch to a new position. Given that he was a seventh round rookie, it was impressive that he made the 53-man roster.
As the year went along, Harvey-Clemons became an integral part of the special teams unit. Thanks to his combination of size and athleticism, he served as a key role player and showed upside on the unit.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins only played Harvey-Clemons for 93 snaps, but he showed potentially good ability in coverage. He was able to defense a pass and he recorded 11 tackles between defense and special teams. His coverage ability will allow him to serve as a backup role in 2018 and has will have the potential to earn a role in the starting lineup in the future.
Considering that Harvey-Clemons was merely a seventh round rookie who stayed on the roster the whole year and carved out a sizable role with the team. Granted, it may have been due to injuries, but he showed the skills of a quality backup. For that reason and the fact that he outperformed expectations, Harvey-Clemons will get an above average grade.