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Washington Redskins safety grades for the 2018 campaign

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants carries the ball as Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins defends on October 28,2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants carries the ball as Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins defends on October 28,2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Montae Nicholson

Montae Nicholson‘s 2018 season underwhelmed. If the Michigan State product did not regress, then he simply had a bad season. But the Redskins should have been more patient with the 23-year old.

Nicholson flashed immense promise last season, making plays on the ball with his range. He would play less than half the season, but his efforts were enough to not only earn the starting job opposite D.J. Swearinger, but to receive unique praise from Jay Gruden, who referred to Nicholson as “Jordan Reed of the defense”.

Things changed quickly.

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Nicholson got off to a slow start in 2018, after Washington altered his role, and his inconsistent play led the Redskins to trade for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. It was thought that Clinton-Dix would take more reps in the box, while Nicholson would rotate in on passing downs as a center fielder. But the Redskins took Nicholson off the field entirely.

After Week 9, Nicholson only logged four total defensive snaps for the rest of the year. In December, the chances of Nicholson coming back in 2018 were jeopardized, as the former fourth-round pick was arrested on assault charges, and consequently placed on the reserve/NFI list.

Nicholson’s future with Washington is now uncertain. He still has starting potential, but he’s in the dog house, without a doubt. There’s a chance Nicholson could be given a chance at redemption, with the Redskins safety situation looking grim. New defensive backs coach Ray Horton could give him a clean slate to work with. But if 2018 was for Nicholson to set himself up as the team’s safety of the future, then he failed, and the team failed to help him do so.

Montae Nicholson’s 2018 Grade: F

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