Riggo's Rag
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Top five safeties for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

By Jacob Camenker

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Tre Boston #33 of the Carolina Panthers dances as he warms up before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Tre Boston #33 of the Carolina Panthers dances as he warms up before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Tre Boston. 3. player. 87. . Safety. Carolina Panthers

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Tre Boston is a free agent. And he might be the perfect fit for the Redskins at safety.

Boston most recently played for Rivera’s Carolina Panthers. He’s had two separate stints with that squad and while he’s been on three teams in the past three years, all on one-year deals, he is still a great ballhawking safety.

In an article from early January, I identified Boston as one of the Panthers free agents the Redskins would be most likely target. Here’s what I said about his fit at the time.

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"The ‘Skins do need to add some talent at the safety position. Landon Collins was a solid signing last offseason and he fits in the traditional strong safety mold as an excellent tackler and downhill run stopper. But if the team could find a better coverage man to pair with him, it would afford them the opportunity to use Collins to his strengths while trusting a true centerfielder free safety on the back end of their defense. Boston could provide just that. He’d be an upgrade over the inconsistent Montae Nicholson, who might be better served as a backup/third safety for the NFL level, so maybe they’ll finally consider targeting Boston. The 28-year-old could fit very nicely into their defense and fill one of their biggest remaining holes on defense."

Surely, Boston’s coverage ability would give him a chance to fit in with the team’s defense, especially given that he knows Rivera’s preferred system well. Boston has logged 11 interceptions and 28 pass defenses over the course of the past year, so he could make some splash plays for the Redskins, if given the opportunity.

That said, Boston has struggled immensely against the run at times, so that will have to be taken into account. Perhaps playing next to a great tackler like Collins would help mask his deficiencies there, but it’s certainly something for the team to think about and it plays a big part in why Boston isn’t higher on this list.

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