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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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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) /

Dark Horses: Quin Blanding and Kenny Ladler

The Redskins have done well to add some youth and upside at the safety position this offseason. While they don’t have much proven depth, they have added some players who could end up proving themselves in training camp and making the active roster.

One of those guys is Quin Blanding. The former Virginia product was considered by some to be a potential early Day 3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead, he fell to the ranks of the undrafted and the Redskins happily scooped him up.

Blanding was a hyper productive collegiate safety who possesses elite tackling skills. He totaled 492 tackles during his four seasons and never had a season that saw him record less than 115. That is insane production for a safety. And on tape, Blanding shows the ability to pursue runners at the right angle, bears down on them quickly, and uses great technique and strength to wrap up players and bring them down. This skill could earn him a role as a safety/linebacker hybrid.

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The only concern with Blanding is that he may not have the requisite speed to be a centerfield type safety. That said, the tackling ability could overshadow this and he could easily find a role with the squad. It just depends on whether or not the Redskins believe that he is well-rounded enough to assume a backup role.

Meanwhile, Ladler may not be a well-known player, but he is solid in his own right. He played the past two seasons in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos, and he was a great combination player, succeeding in coverage and working as a solid tackler. He was once a member of the Buffalo Bills and had a quality college career at Vanderbilt. But if his CFL production is any indication, he may be ready for a role in the NFL.

Both Blanding and Ladler have some competition to beat out, but there’s a good chance that they could do it. Blanding is a hard-worker with a chip on his shoulder after going undrafted. And Ladler is ready to prove that he belongs in the NFL. Both guys bear watching in training camp, as they could shake up the safety depth chart, much like Stefan McClure did before the start of the 2018 season.

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