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Redskins UDFA Spotlight: Can BJ Blunt make the roster after Reuben Foster’s injury?

By Jacob Camenker

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Tyree Kinnel #32 from Michigan playing on the West Team celebrates after recovering the ball during the second quarter against the East Team at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 19, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Tyree Kinnel #32 from Michigan playing on the West Team celebrates after recovering the ball during the second quarter against the East Team at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 19, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 21: A Washington Redskins helmet is carried by a player before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 21: A Washington Redskins helmet is carried by a player before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

What Blunt can improve

While Blunt is a strong hitter and works hard on the field, he isn’t a great tackler. He can sometimes let the ball-carrier drag on for an extra yard or two, and that issue is partially related to his size.

Blunt is on the small side for a linebacker, measuring in at just a hair over 6-0 and having just a 220-pound frame. He will need to bulk up a bit and add some strength to become a better tackler if he is to succeed as an undersized player. And if he plans on trying to play the edge occasionally, adding 10-15 pounds is a must.

One reason that Blunt has to bulk up a bit is that his athletic ability isn’t good enough to get by at the size he’s at. He clocked a 4.74 time in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day (per DraftAnalyst.com) and that isn’t a good time at all, especially for a smaller player. That would have ranked seventh-slowest among inside linebackers at the combine.

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Of course, 40 times aren’t everything, but being just an average athlete with below-average size will make things a bit more difficult for Blunt. In fact, those two factors combined could be what ultimately makes or breaks his roster chances.

One other concern is that Blunt will be seeing a major jump in competition going from playing against FCS foes to NFL level play. Not all can make that transition seamlessly. Blunt did well at the Shrine Game against higher-caliber foes, but it may take him a bit more time to develop at the next level.

Blunt’s flaws are part of what made him go undrafted, and there are certainly some concerns. That said, Blunt still has a path to the roster and can make a case that he fits in with the Redskins.

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