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

How Blunt fits with the Redskins

At first, Blunt’s path to a spot on the Redskins roster would have relied mostly on his ability off the edge. But now, with the injury to Reuben Foster, the need for help at middle linebacker could be key as well. Blunt can play both positions, and that will give him a chance to find a role.

Blunt’s main competition in Washington will be with some veteran roster hopefuls. Jon Bostic and Marquis Flowers both signed with the ‘Skins this offseason and both could push Blunt for a job. Bostic has experience as a starter in multiple schemes, and he is good against the run. He will have a chance to battle Mason Foster for the role as a two-down thumper, but considering that he is virtually the same player as Foster, he figures to be insurance for him more than anything else.

Meanwhile, Flowers has the same type of versatility that Blunt possesses, but he has a longer and more athletic frame. In his best year with the Patriots, Flowers totaled 3.5 sacks and 30 tackles while playing as an off-ball linebacker and off the edge. Blunt will have to do the same to make the team over Flowers, who holds an edge right now for that specific role.

That said, Blunt has the bend off the edge and explosive ability needed to be a difference maker. If he can prove to be a great special teams player, that may put him over the top, as he would represent a young, potential-packed hybrid linebacker for the Redskins to develop. But, he will need to prove that he is at least comparable to the other veterans available to have a chance.

Blunt will play hard and he will get his chance to make plays off the edge in the offseason. If he can showcase enough ability there, that should do enough to make the ‘Skins consider him for a roster spot, especially if they’re going to be relying on their depth players at linebacker after Reuben Foster’s injury.