Washington Redskins hosting mid-round safety Quin Blanding to visit

The Washington Redskins have a strong last line of defense. But it could use some depth.

That was fairly evident last year, when Montae Nicholson went down to a shoulder injury, and the Washington Redskins‘ pass defense proceeded to go up in flames. DeAngelo Hall was good for a couple games, but age clearly had his number in the end, and beside him, Deshazor Everett couldn’t be counted on as a starter.

Nicholson, starting alongside D.J. Swearinger, should be healthy by the start of the 2018 season, but having insurance never hurts. With Everett and promising second-year UFA Fish Smithson set to return as backups, the Washington Redskins are fairly well-off, but they can afford to add another defensive back or two in this year’s NFL Draft. And they’re doing their homework. Per draft insider Jared Tokarz, the Washington Redskins are hosting Virginia safety Quin Blanding.

A local kid, born just three hours from the D.C. area, Blanding is an intriguing player, in the right round. He offers very good size for an NFL safety, standing at 6-foot-2, 215. He saw fairly plentiful production in his time as a starter for the Cavaliers, logging almost 500 total tackles and ten interceptions.

However, for all his statistical prowess, Blanding is rather slow for the position, and that may limit his playmaking ability in the NFL. But despite that, he’s perfect for the role the Washington Redskins need him to play: A depth safety.

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Blanding’s ceiling, based on his lack of top-end speed, is that of a low to mid-tier starter. He has the work ethic and production factor to bend that prediction, but as far as projections go, he’s a player that will go in Round 4 or Round 5. By picking Blanding in one of those two rounds, the Washington Redskins would solidify the safety position, adding a reliable backup who can help the defensive coaches breathe easy if injury is to strike again.