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Redskins: Measuring positions of need in the offseason of 2019

By Ian Cummings

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Running back Josh Adams #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball and is tackled by linebacker Mason Foster #54 and safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Running back Josh Adams #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball and is tackled by linebacker Mason Foster #54 and safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Defensive back D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a stop during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Defensive back D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a stop during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Redskins Top Need

At the beginning of the 2018 season, this position group was one of the Redskins’ best. The deterioration of the Washington Redskins safety situation has been swift and unrelenting, and in 2019, the team is back where it started.

1 – Safety (D-)

Ever since the death of Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins have toiled at safety, finding little sustained success. At the start of 2018, there was a certain aura of security surrounding D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson. The former was coming off a four-interception campaign for the burgundy and gold, and the latter was viewed as a vital long-term piece of the defense.

Fast forward to now. Swearinger is with the Cardinals after his post-game comments in Week 16 led to his release. And Nicholson, after having been arrested for assault, ended the season on the team’s reserve/NFI list. His future with the team is uncertain, to say the least.

The Redskins will likely release their only remaining starter, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, to free agency. The former Packer was a trade deadline dud with the Redskins, giving up big plays on almost a weekly basis. Once Clinton-Dix leaves, as he inevitably should, Washington’s safety group will look like this:

Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke, Harlan Miller, Jeremy Reaves.

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Next. 5 takeaways from the conclusion of the Redskins 2018 season. dark

In the modern NFL, offense trumps defense, but if you can build an elite secondary, you can stand a chance against the playmakers on the other side. Six months ago, the Redskins were a lot closer than they are now. But that doesn’t mean they can’t work their way back. This offseason, finding a traits-dominant safety should be a top priority for Washington. Blown coverages and missed tackles on the back end hurt Washington’s defense in 2018. This offseason, they need to plug the leak.

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