Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: 5 Standouts from the team’s first preseason game of 2018

By Jacob Camenker

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins makes a pass during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins makes a pass during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Vontae Diggs #48 of the Washington Redskins tackles Riley McCarron #17 of the New England Patriots during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Vontae Diggs #48 of the Washington Redskins tackles Riley McCarron #17 of the New England Patriots during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. OLB Vontae Diggs

I was pleasantly surprised by what Vontae Diggs had to offer on Thursday night. A roster longshot at outside linebacker, Diggs fared well when he was on the field. It may not be enough for him to make the 53-man roster, but he certainly has a chance to make the practice squad.

Two plays defined the night for Diggs and turned him into a standout. The first was on a play where he almost sacked Brian Hoyer. Diggs came off the edge with solid speed and a good first step in order to make an impact on the play. He just barely missed getting to Hoyer before he released the ball, and while Hoyer completed the pass, Diggs certainly had an impact on the play.

Later on, in the fourth quarter, Diggs made a nice stop in the run game. New England handed the ball to Ralph Webb and before he could get anywhere, Diggs came into the backfield and leveled him immediately. He stopped Webb in his tracks and forced the Patriots into a second and 12. In a situation where the Redskins were fighting to stay in the game, it had the potential to be a key play, though it wasn’t at the end of the day.

Related Story. Redskins blow 17-point lead in loss to Patriots. light

Diggs finished the game with four tackles, including the one tackle for loss on Webb. He looks like a potential No. 5 outside linebacker that could provide value as a tackler on special teams. The Redskins might not be able to afford to roster him, but he still flashed.

Following up his performance against the Patriots with a solid outing against the Jets would be ideal for Diggs. Right now, the undrafted free agent from UConn is still just a roster long shot. But if he continues to play well, the NFL will find a spot for him in some way, shape, or form.

Home/Commanders News