In the Redskins backup safety battle, don’t count out Fish Smithson

The Washington Redskins seem to have their safety slots locked up. But there are a number of players who could sneak into the fold over the course of the offseason.

The Washington Redskins starters to enter the 2018 season will be Montae Nicholson at free safety and D.J. Swearinger at strong safety, and neither player should end up relinquishing their starting role over the course of the season. How the safety positions shakes out behind them, however, is up for debate.

Deshazor Everett and Troy Apke seem to have the inside line at the backup jobs. Everett has experience in the Washington Redskins system, and although he didn’t perform well as a true free safety last year, a move to strong safety could be of benefit to him, and he’s well-documented as a solid special teams player.

Troy Apke, the Washington Redskins‘ fourth-round pick this offseason, has a chance to be an impactful special teams player as well, with his speed. But for all the natural offseason hype that Apke’s received, there’s another player behind him that deserves more attention as a potential backup option for the Washington Redskins: Fish Smithson.

Smithson, an undrafted free agent last year, spent most of the 2017 season on the practice squad, so it’s understandable why he hasn’t gotten the love that other players have. But make no mistake: While Apke and Everett have the potential to be very good special teams contributors in 2018, Smithson can be a better defensive backup than both of them. I want to take you back to an article I wrote last year on Smithson, pegging him as a potential late-round gem in the safety class. Here’s a quote that should have relevance in this context:

"Smithson was a very active defender in his time with the Jayhawks, and his numbers improved each year he started with the team. In his last two years, he registered over 90 tackles each season. He also recorded 6 interceptions and 9 pass deflections in that time. He has very good instincts and ball skills on the field. Josh Norman, a current Redskin, is famous for these traits. Not only that, but Smithson was also named a team captain in his senior season, and he has a track record as a leader. He’s a player who will only help the chemistry of a locker room, a quality that is under-appreciated in today’s NFL. Instincts and football intelligence are hard things to teach."

There’s always an inherent danger in banking on a young, unsung prospect to grow into an increased role, but Smithson has the traits. He’s not slow by any means, and while he can improve with his tackling and his play strength, there are no doubts surrounding his ability to impact the play and make plays on the ball. While Apke and Everett have traits that bode well for their special teams ability, Smithson can be a quality defensive backup for a team that, in recent years, has learned to appreciate such a player. Per Rich Tandler of NBC Sports, the Washington Redskins are impressed with Smithton’s progress thus far.

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There’s still plenty of time left in the offseason for position battles to play out, and there are a number of candidates who could draw consideration for the Washington Redskins backup safety jobs. Kenny Ladler is a physical player with a way in, if he can keep up the pace in the NFL. Quin Blanding was the model of consistency at Virginia, and he could make a case for himself. But amidst all the side-picking and unfettered offseason hype, do not forget about the Fish. He swam under the radar last season, only to emerge and stick around for 2017. He could do the same, in an increased role, in 2018.