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Five dark horses that could make the Redskins 53-man roster

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Craig Reynolds #22 of the Washington Redskins returns a kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Craig Reynolds #22 of the Washington Redskins returns a kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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8 Oct 2000: A general view of the Washington Redskins helmet after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-14.Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
8 Oct 2000: A general view of the Washington Redskins helmet after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-14.Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

2. S Jeremy Reaves

One of the positions that could quickly become a problem for the Redskins is the safety spot. They have a couple of good-looking starters in big-time free agent signing Landon Collins and Montae Nicholson, who looks rejuvenated ahead of his third year in the league. However, the depth behind them is questionable.

Deshazor Everett has been a steady backup and special teams ace for some time, but he can have issues in coverage at times. Meanwhile, former 2018 fourth-round pick Troy Apke is a terrific athlete, but he was viewed as a project and has yet to develop football instincts and struggles with angles on tackles. Because of this, it was always viewed as a possibility that the Redskins could cut Apke or keep an extra player at the position in case he didn’t show enough growth.

Coming into training camp, some were excited to see undrafted free agent JoJo McIntosh in action. However, it has been Jeremy Reaves who has stepped up and put himself into the conversation as a potential option at the safety position.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Reaves played collegiately at South Alabama and entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He signed with the Redskins practice squad in early September after spending the offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles. Reaves would later be promoted and dressed for a couple of games with the team.

In the offseason, Reaves didn’t get much buzz. But so far in the preseason, the soon-to-be 23-year-old has performed well. Through two preseason games, he has notched 10 tackles and one pass defensed while showing off solid athletic ability and good all-around coverage skills. That could give him enough momentum to earn a backup spot and potentially overtake Apke.

Reaves has a shot to be either the fourth of fifth safety for the Redskins. Given the fact that Apke showed at least a bit of growth in the second preseason game, I would anticipate Reaves’ best chance comes as being an extra safety while the team looks to keep developing Apke. But either way, Reaves has made a solid case to be on the Redskins’ roster to start the 2019 campaign.

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