Washington Redskins waive LB Otha Peters and S Orion Stewart

The Washington Redskins are freeing up roster spots ahead of the draft frenzy later this month.

The Washington Redskins were forced to scour the darkest corners of the free agency market to rebound against a devastating wave of injuries. Now, in the days leading up the 2018 NFL Draft, they may look to clear up some of that encumbered space to make way for draft picks and post-draft free agents. The process has started today, with the release of safety Orion Stewart and linebacker Otha Peters, per ESPN’s John Keim.

Both Peters and Stewart entered the league as undrafted free agents in 2017. Otha Peters played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette, where he received first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2016. He was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks after the draft, but waived by the same team at the end of preseason in 2017. The Washington Redskins picked him up in November, in order to add depth to a severely depleted linebacking corps. He never suited up at linebacker with the defense, but he did account for 58 snaps on special teams.

Orion Stewart, meanwhile, signed with the Denver Broncos after the 2017 NFL Draft. He remained there for most of the offseason until he was cut at the end of preseason. He had a short stint with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Washington Redskins practice squad in November. Stewart, 6-foot-2, would later sign a futures contract with the team.

The release of these two players reinforces the notion that additional depth should at least be sought after at both safety and linebacker. The re-signing of Zach Brown helps keep the linebacking core astute, and at safety, there are a number of young pieces ready and able to contribute, including D.J. Swearinger, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, and Fish Smithson. But nevertheless, the Washington Redskins should at least consider adding to these position groups.

Next: NFL Draft: Top 10 safeties big board

The Washington Redskins will have the chance to do just that in the draft later this month. Until then, be sure to stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll keep you occupied with wide-ranging draft content and analysis.