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Redskins Position Battles: Deshazor Everett vs. the field for the backup safety spot

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams reaches out with the ball to score a touchdown as he is tackled by Deshazor Everett #22 of the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams reaches out with the ball to score a touchdown as he is tackled by Deshazor Everett #22 of the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans is tackled by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans is tackled by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The case for Troy Apke

It’s difficult to build a compelling case for Troy Apke as the top backup for the Redskins team. While he was a high draft pick, he’s simply not polished enough to make an immediate impact as a safety this season.

Apke doesn’t have great technique. He takes poor angles on tackles and isn’t yet a natural in coverage. It’s clear that he has the potential to be a playmaker, but for the moment, he seems better served as a deep backup.

Apke’s likely role will come as a gunner on special teams. He has elite speed and could be a real impact player on that side of the ball. He will be able to take over for Fabian Moreau as a gunner on punt coverage, and that will give him a chance to work on his safety skills behind the scenes.

Realistically, the only case you can make for Apke as the top backup is that he was a fourth round pick. And that is not great logic. Yes, Apke was selected in the fourth round, but that wasn’t necessarily because he was ready to contribute in a big role. It’s because the Redskins wanted to add an athlete with high upside who could develop into a starter. But for now, Apke profiles as a below average player if he were forced into significant action.

Because of this, it seems highly unlikely that Apke will overtake Everett. There’s a chance that he could get some action at safety this year, albeit sparingly, but entrusting him with an important role on the defensive unit would be a mistake. His impact will be greater on special teams, and he seems firmly locked in as the fourth safety on the roster (or fifth if the team elects to keep five players at the position).

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