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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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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Jojo McIntosh #14 of the Washington Huskies and Tony Rodriguez #7 of the Washington Huskies react during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Jojo McIntosh #14 of the Washington Huskies and Tony Rodriguez #7 of the Washington Huskies react during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Apke’s main competition

At the moment, it would appear that Apke is fighting for the fourth safety job on the roster. Landon Collins is obviously the top guy while Montae Nicholson seems likely to start across from him with Deshazor Everett backing him up. After that? One safety will probably make the team.

The two main names fighting for a spot on the active roster with Apke will be Jeremy Reaves and JoJo McIntosh. Reaves has earned the praise of Jay Gruden this offseason and the former undrafted free agent out of South Alabama who spent most of last year on the Redskins practice squad could have a chance to supplant Apke with a solid camp.

Our own Ian Cummings highlighted Reaves as one of the Redskins’ unheralded players, so click here for a further breakdown of Reaves.

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As for McIntosh, he was one of the team’s more intriguing undrafted free agents this season. McIntosh was a solid all-around safety at Washington and was a steady tackler, logging at least 50 stops in each of the past three seasons. If he can prove to be consistent and show good instincts, he may have a chance to overtake Apke.

There has been some chatter about cornerbacks potentially converting to the safety position as well. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has a skill set a ball tracking abilities that could make him a solid fit at the position. Adonis Alexander played some of his best college football at the position as well. However, it doesn’t appear that the team is planning on moving those players and while they could be cross-trained in the event of injuries, the safeties on the roster will get more attention at the moment.

Apke’s competition isn’t necessarily steep, but the Redskins are weak at safety. And Apke is part of that weakness. If he gets outplayed by either Reaves or McIntosh, there’s a solid chance that he won’t make the roster and could be stashed on the practice squad.

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