Redskins: 5 standouts from the 2019 Reeses Senior Bowl
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – S Nasir Adderley – Delaware
Other Standouts at S: Will Harris – Boston College, Khari Willis – Michigan State
After losing both their starting safeties in the span of a couple weeks, one to a release, and one temporarily due to legal troubles, the Redskins are in the running for a new starting safety this offseason.
They could dive into what will be a plentiful free agent market, but with minimal cap space, opting to grab a safety through the NFL Draft might be the best bet. In the draft, safety is one of the weaker relative positions, but there’s still a good amount of early round prospects, as well as mid-tier gems. The two most common names thrown into the former group are Alabama’s Deionte Thompson and Delaware’s Nasir Adderley. Adderley played on Saturday, and in that game, he solidified his status.
Adderley wasn’t entirely polished; that hasn’t been his game, and in the NFL, he will need to polish mental inconsistencies on the field. But Adderley’s wired instincts are exceptional, and along with his range and athleticism, they allow him to make plays tracking the ball that few across the league can make. Adderley spent his time in Delaware coasting across the field, and his time at the Senior Bowl was no different; he was his team’s leading tackler with five total, and he logged a key interception for the North team.
Adderley, just like Thompson, isn’t a perfect prospect. He has his inconsistencies, just like all young players. But unlike other young players, Adderley has a very well-rounded skill set, and his best traits set him apart as a safety with outstanding developmental potential. After his Senior Bowl showing, the Redskins may want to consider him in Round 1. He won’t last past pick No. 32.