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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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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2019 outlook for Apke

This is going to be a crucial year for Apke. He doesn’t necessarily need to make a giant leap this year and become a starter. But he has to show that he still has the upside and football instincts needed to be a potential role player at the very least.

Apke is still hyper-athletic. He still can be an elite special teams player and gunner. But if he can’t show enough as a pure football player, that could be a major red flag. Even though he was a fourth-round pick just 14 months ago, he is certainly fighting for his spot on the roster.

For the time being, Apke seems to be on the inside of the roster bubble. If there was another young player with his athletic upside on the team, that may not be the case. He is facing a couple of interesting roster candidates in Reaves and McIntosh, but given his draft status and his unique athletic ability, he would still hold a slight advantage over them.

Apke’s camp will certainly be one to watch. But one thing is certain. Few second-year fourth-round picks have lower expectations than Apke is facing. Perhaps that will work to his advantage and afford him a better opportunity to exceed those expectations and solidify his standing on the roster.

Still, there are no guarantees in the NFL. And Apke isn’t guaranteed a roster spot at all. Training camp will be his chance to show the Redskins brass that he is growing and has backup potential. If he can’t do that, then he could find himself among the final roster cuts in 2019.

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