Redskins 53-man roster projection after Week 3 of preseason

Safety (4)

Keeping: Montae Nicholson, D.J. Swearinger, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke

Notable Cuts: Kenny Ladler, Fish Smithson

It’s hard to keep Kenny Ladler and Fish Smithson off the 53-man roster, but at this point, it doesn’t seem like there are many alternatives.

The Redskins feel confident with their starters, Montae Nicholson and D.J. Swearinger, and while both have looked a little rusty in preseason, both have showcased their starting talent.

The Redskins also seem to be confident with Deshazor Everett and Troy Apke as their second-team safety duo. Apke, with his 4.32 speed, has flashed impressive range on the field. He’s shown room for improvement with his tackling and awareness, but the Redskins will be patient with him, for the sake of developing his talent. Everett, meanwhile, is a safe, experienced option who also has special teams ability. Once viewed as a player on the bubble, Everett has since quieted those concerns.

It feels like it shouldn’t be this simple for the Redskins safety group, but it is. Unless the Redskins decide to keep five, this is how it will be. If they decide to keep five, Kenny Ladler is more likely than Fish Smithson to get the nod; in three preseason games, Ladler has logged 14 tackles, and he led the team in Week 1. Smithson showed promise last year, but he has yet to build off of that this preseason. More likely than not, the Redskins roll with four safeties, but it’s impossible to rule out a Stefan McClure-esque inclusion at this point.