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Washington Redskins select Penn State S Troy Apke in the fourth round

By Ian Cummings

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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With the No. 9 pick in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins have selected Penn State safety Troy Apke.

For the second year in a row, the Washington Redskins picked a safety in the fourth round, far higher than he was projected to go. The safety has the traits, much like last year, but work will need to be done for him to reach his full potential.

This safety is Penn State’s Troy Apke.

The Washington Redskins have been very proficient in the draft thus far, but this selection is certainly a head scratcher. Apke has the speed and the size; he stands at 6-foot-1, 198, and he ran a 4.32 at the NFL Combine. However, Apke needs to develop, in terms of defensive awareness and consistency; he didn’t produce as a full-time starter with the Nittany Lions, and it’s likely that he could have been available in Round 5, or even Round 6.

Still, if there’s anything we learned from drafting Montae Nicholson, it’s that there’s always value in drafting traits prospects with upside, and Apke certainly has it. He’s not afraid to throw himself around the field, and he’s a solid tackler. He has the mentality of a heat seeking safety, and with coaching from Torrian Gray, he could be a nice developmental find for Washington.

Apke joins a safety room with Montae Nicholson, D.J. Swearinger, DeShazor Everett, and 2017 undrafted free agent Fish Smithson. For now, it’s hard to see Apke jumping above any of those players, and he best serves a purpose as a depth safety who can contribute on special teams. In time, he could become a better rotational contributor.

Next: Grading the Washington Redskins' first three selections

Apke turned 23 earlier this month, and because safeties tend to have longer careers, the outlook is positive for Apke. With the right coaching, which the Washington Redskins have, this could be a solid selection. But as it stands, it’s likely that he would have been available much later. The Washington Redskins passed on talented edge rusher Josh Sweat, and potential starting guard Tyrell Crosby to make this pick. The opportunity cost appears to be costly. But they made this pick knowing development was needed. Apke has upside. And that is where his value can be found.

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