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Redskins Depth Chart: Analyzing the team’s safety group

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raider tires to match a catch over strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedExField on September 4, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raider tires to match a catch over strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedExField on September 4, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Special Teams Ace: S Troy Apke

It’s pretty clear that Apke isn’t quite ready to have an impact at the NFL level. The fourth round pick was considered to be a bit of a reach by the Redskins in the 2018 NFL Draft. That said, Apke does have excellent athletic ability and the Redskins saw something that they liked in him. So, that’s why they made him a pick.

With the team likely keeping just four safeties, Apke seems highly likely to stay at the bottom of the depth chart for his rookie season. But, thanks to his 4.34 speed, Apke will have the ability to be a gunner on the special teams unit. He can take over for Fabian Moreau, who will step into a bigger role, and that will give the Redskins a chance to field a very strong special teams unit.

And, of course, it’s entirely possible that under Torrian Gray, the Redskins will have a chance to improve Apke. In fact, as I’ve written in the past, Apke could end up having a similar impact to Nicholson once he gets some quality coaching.

"Both Nicholson and Apke are traits based guys. Their tape at the college level was decent, but it didn’t do a lot to demonstrate that either player would be a starter right away. However, the traits they have such as size and athleticism demonstrated that both players could have a chance to step in and be productive. That’s what Nicholson was able to do, and Apke will have a shot to do that as well. And that will certainly be beneficial for the Penn State product."

Of course, Apke’s not going to step in as the starter as Nicholson did. But with an uncertain situation for the Redskins at backup safety, it’s quite possible that he could see some playing time at the position. Still, it seems more likely that the Redskins will develop him for a year and have him play special teams.

Apke has the potential to be an elite special teamer and eventually could play a bigger role on defense. It will be interesting to see what he can accomplish as a rookie.

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