Riggo's Rag
FanSided

3 free agent safeties the Redskins should consider signing in 2019

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants celebrates after breaking up a pass against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants celebrates after breaking up a pass against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass by Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass by Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

13. . Safety. Chargers. Adrian Phillips. 2. player

In the modern NFL, versatility is extremely important. In fact, it really is the name of the game at this point. Having defensive players that can do a multitude of things is very important, and it’s something that the Redskins could stand to add. They may have a chance to do that in free agency.

Adrian Phillips is a lesser-known name that could be a nice addition for Washington. Phillips has spent the last five years with the Chargers since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas. And the 2018 season was his best one yet.

Phillips operated as a part-time starter for the Chargers and was used as one of their top reserve defensive backs. He saw the field on 66 percent of the defensive snaps while playing 78.6 percent of the snaps on special teams. He really was a do-it-all player that could thrive if given a chance in a starting role.

More from Riggo's Rag

For the Chargers, Phillips played all over the defense. Per Pro Football Focus, Phillips logged 658 snaps in the box and played mostly at linebacker in those packages. He also logged over 100 total snaps at both free and strong safety while playing a multitude of roles on special teams. In short, Phillips can play pretty much anywhere in the middle of the field and is the ideal fit as a starting safety who can move to linebacker in nickel and dime packages.

It also will help Phillips’ cause that he was a first-team All-Pro on special teams in 2018. That type of versatility and effort is something that coaches are looking for, and he could end up being a gritty, hard-working guy who fits in well with the Redskins defense. Perhaps his presence, along with Jonathan Allen, could inspire guys to work hard and create a tough-minded, hard-nosed defense.

Phillips would be a nice rotational player at the very least, and he deserves to be given a chance as a starter. Considering the slow-moving nature of the safety position in free agency the past couple of years, Phillips could linger on the market before signing a deal that costs roughly $4-$5 million annually. It will be interesting to see what teams are most interested in his services, but Washington should certainly be one of them.

Home/Commanders News