Redskins release FS Montae Nicholson, four other cornerbacks

Now that the first wave of free agency has concluded, the Redskins can start to tweak their new roster. In this process, certain players from the old regime may be filtered out.

It’s a new era in Washington, and whether you enjoyed or lamented at the Washington Redskins free agency strategy this past week, that truth was apparent. Contrary to the Redskins’ historic habits, Ron Rivera’s team was frugal in the free agent market. When their splash signings didn’t materialize, the team instead settled for low-risk, high-upside hires that largely went under the radar. The process of adding talent isn’t over yet, but it seems as though the pedal won’t hit the floor again for a while.

Now, with a new batch of talent in the fold, the Redskins can start to fine tune their 90-man roster and make room for rookie additions. This, of course, involves letting go of old players, and today, five defensive backs were rendered victims of that task. According to the Redskins official website, Washington released free safety Montae Nicholson, and cornerbacks Breon Borders, Dee Delaney, Coty Sensabaugh, and Kayvon Webster.

Nicholson is the most surprising release of the group; the 2017 fourth-round selection had started 26 games over the past three seasons for the Redskins, amassing 126 total tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass deflections. Nicholson flashed immense upside as a rangy defender in the middle of the field, but injuries and off-the-field concerns plagued his time in the nation’s capital. At just 24 years old, Ron Rivera made the decision that Nicholson wouldn’t be a part of the team’s rebuild, and now, he’ll have to hope someone else is willing to take a risk on his potential.

The rest of the Redskins’ releases were largely procedural, as most of the cornerbacks let go were depth signings made late in the 2019 season, when Washington’s cornerback group fell victim to a wave of injuries. Still, the mass exodus of cornerbacks reinforces the fact that the position is a need for Washington in 2020, and will need additional investment in the 2020 NFL Draft.