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Redskins Training Camp Profile: LB Martrell Spaight

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by defensive back Greg Toler #20 and outside linebacker Martrell Spaight #50 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by defensive back Greg Toler #20 and outside linebacker Martrell Spaight #50 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Running back Peyton Barber #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets pressure from outside linebacker Martrell Spaight #50 of the Washington Redskins during a carry in the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Running back Peyton Barber #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets pressure from outside linebacker Martrell Spaight #50 of the Washington Redskins during a carry in the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

What Spaight must show at training camp

Despite all of the injuries to the Redskins starters last year, Spaight didn’t see as much playing time down the stretch as expected. He still operated as a key reserve and starter at the end of the year, but he ceded snaps to veteran journeyman Zach Vigil, which seemed to be a knock on Spaight’s development. And there was a reason for that.

Spaight has struggled in coverage during his NFL career. While he has been a very good run stuffing specialist, he frequently looks lost when asked to cover. He just doesn’t track players well and often gets beaten as he tries to figure out what his responsibilities are. In short, he has to think hard about what to do in coverage. It doesn’t come naturally to him.

The most notable example of what I’m talking about came at the end of the 2016 campaign. When called into action against the Carolina Panthers, Spaight was unable to provide good enough coverage in place of an injured Will Compton. As a result, the Panthers were able to carve up the Redskins defense and defeat them in a game that could have done a lot to push the Redskins into the playoff race. Of course, the loss can’t be entirely blamed on Spaight, but he was certainly a weakness in that contest.

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At training camp, Spaight is going to have to prove that he is improving in coverage. This is the easiest way for him to ensure that he will have a strong chance of making the roster. If he can’t do that, his upside may be capped, even though he’ll only be 25 during the 2018 season.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Spaight is entering his fourth season. He can’t continue to be just a part-time player. He has to at least show the ability to be a top backup. Being a run stopper and strong special teams player is all well and good, but as he gets older, the team may give his role to a player with more all-around upside.

And speaking of competition, Spaight will face a lot of it during training camp, which will make his performance in the offseason even more important.

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