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Redskins UDFA Spotlight: Quin Blanding is an elite tackler with a tough roster battle

By Jacob Camenker

ANNAPOLIS, MD - DECEMBER 28: Running back Keoni-Kordell Makekau #36 of the Navy Midshipmen is tackled by safety Quin Blanding #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half of the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - DECEMBER 28: Running back Keoni-Kordell Makekau #36 of the Navy Midshipmen is tackled by safety Quin Blanding #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half of the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Why Blanding finding a role may be difficult

The problem for Blanding isn’t necessarily that he doesn’t have the talent to make the Redskins team. It’s that the team’s safety corps is already fairly strong, and it contains some well-regarded members in the unit.

As it stands, there are three players who are locks for the Redskins roster at the safety position. They are starters D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson, and fourth round pick Troy Apke will also definitely make the roster. All have good cover skills, or at least the upside to have cover skills, and are very good athletes.

With three spots already decided, it seems that there may only be one safety spot up for grabs for the rest of the roster to fight for. Last season, the Redskins were content to carry just four safeties for a majority of the season, even after the surprise departure of Su’a Cravens. So, with a lot of young talent at their disposal already, the team probably will only carry four to start this season as well.

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If Blanding wants to make the Redskins roster, he is going to have to beat out two players in order to get that coveted spot. They are Deshazor Everett and Fish Smithson. Everett will be the harder of the two to beat. Everett was an undrafted free agent signing by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who ended up with the Redskins in August of 2015. Since that time, he has been a staple of the roster after spending a month on the practice squad.

Everett is a special teams ace who has shown the ability to be a capable third safety at times. While he struggled in coverage at times when asked to start last season, he has a lot of experience and that will do a lot to help him win the trust of the coaches. With two relatively young players in Nicholson and Apke, the Redskins coaches may want to have a veteran back there, in case there are some growing pains. That could end up working against Blanding.

Meanwhile, Smithson poses less of a threat to Blanding. That said, Smithson does have a year of experience in the Redskins system, and he had a highly productive collegiate career. It’s possible that if he shows improvement, the Redskins will opt to keep him, particularly if he can prove to be a solid cover option. Thus, Smithson shouldn’t be brushed off.

It’s still possible that Blanding’s versatility and tackling skills could get him on the roster. But with this type of stiff competition, it’s going to be a hard battle and it’s one in which he is at a disadvantage.

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