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Redskins 53-man roster projection: Pre-preseason Week 1 vs. Browns

By Russell Shavatt

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Safety (4)

Landon Collins, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke

The safety position with the Redskins is one to keep track of as training camp advances.  Collins and Nicholson should see their names called to start, but the depth at the position is a cause for concern.  Everett and Apke will be the primary backups if injuries should occur.

Collins was signed to a lucrative contract in free agency from the division rival New York Giants.  Growing up a fan of the late Sean Taylor, Collins has become an instant fan favorite since joining the team.  The former Alabama product has a nose for the ball and is arguably the best safety the Redskins have had since the aforementioned Taylor.

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Nicholson had several flash plays in his rookie year, but last year was a disaster.  Nicholson was benched by the team after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was acquired via trade from the Green Bay Packers.  The former fourth-round pick was also arrested for fighting at a bar near the team’s practice facility in Ashburn, Va late in the 2018 season.  With Collins as the primary leader in this group, Nicholson will have a strong mentor to show him the proper way to prepare, and play throughout the season.

Everett is a professional special teams player who should only fill in at safety on a limited basis.  He does not have the size or speed to contribute full-time, but Everett has started 11 out of 57 games played in his career as a member of the Redskins.

Apke should make the roster because he is only in his second year after being a fourth-round pick in 2018.  Unlike Everett, he has the size and speed to excel at the position.  However, he has not been able to show it much on the practice field, or in the preseason games he played in during his rookie year.

I would not be surprised to see Apke cut in favor of JoJo Mcintosh or Jeremy Reaves.  If the Redskins are filling out the roster with the best players at the position, Apke should not make the team.  He must flash in the preseason to stick on the roster.

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