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Redskins Training Camp Profile: S Troy Apke

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 16: Defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins #78 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets (not pictured) in the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 16: Defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins #78 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets (not pictured) in the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Ralph Webb #22 of the New England Patriots evades a tackle from Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins for a two point conversion during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Ralph Webb #22 of the New England Patriots evades a tackle from Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins for a two point conversion during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

What Apke must show at training camp

There were a lot of concerns with Apke coming out of the draft regarding his on-field play. That’s why many thought of him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick. He will need to do his best to show growth in those areas at training camp.

One of the biggest issues for Apke was his lack of instincts on the field. Routinely in college, he showed a penchant for taking poor angles and getting lost in coverage. At times, he made up for it with his athletic ability, but he got burned quite a bit. That continued during his preseason action.

In 2019, Apke has to make sure that he can improve his reaction time and take better angles to make plays on defense. It’s not necessarily about being perfect in coverage. It’s about showing growth.

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Also, Apke has to work on his tackling technique. While he is a willing and able tackler, he has proven to have issues actually bringing players down. If he works better to square up opponents and stay level while making hits, he’ll have better success in that area.

This is that area that he should really look to put in work with. Because if he can at least become a downhill playmaker at safety, he will have value to the team as a backup safety and special teams ace.

On a final note, Apke will have to stay healthy this camp. He lost all but two games of his rookie season to injury. If he is going to earn a role on the squad, he will need to stay on the field in addition to proving that he is worthy of receiving time on defense (0 defensive snaps in 2018).

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