Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: Why Troy Apke could have a similar impact to Montae Nicholson if given the chance

By Jacob Camenker

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Troy Apke was a fourth round pick by the Washington Redskins. And upon reviewing his tape and measurables, there are some striking similarities to current Redskins safety Montae Nicholson.

When the Washington Redskins elected to take safety Troy Apke with their fourth round pick in 2018, the selection was met with mixed feelings. While getting a backup safety was a need for the Redskins, some felt that spending a fourth round pick on a guard or a cornerback would be more beneficial. But, the Redskins saw something they liked in Apke, and they decided to make him the pick.

In 2017, the Redskins had a similar situation with one of their fourth round picks. The team selected Michigan State safety Montae Nicholson at that juncture, and some thought that was a risk. Like Apke, Nicholson was a raw, unpolished product with some serious upside but, as NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said, “blah” tape. Still, Nicholson became the pick and the Redskins starter as well.

Moving forward, the team now appears to be set at defensive back, and Apke will have a chance to win a role in the team’s defensive backfield. Especially considering the fact that the team doesn’t have a good, established backup behind their two starters.

If Apke can develop like Nicholson did, then the Redskins will have a chance to field an excellent safety group for the next five years. With that said, here’s a comparison of Apke and Nicholson’s abilities, considering that there are a lot of similarities between the two.

Home/Commanders News