Redskins lack of moves at cornerback in NFL Draft speaks volumes

The Redskins added exactly zero cornerbacks to a cluttered, unproven group through the 2020 NFL Draft, only reinforcing the anticipation for the coming position battle.

Going into the 2020 NFL Draft, cornerback was one of the biggest needs for the Washington Redskins. It wasn’t quite on the same tier as wide receiver or offensive tackle, but there was a general belief that the Redskins could stand to benefit from adding young upside to their cornerback room, especially given the general depth of the 2020 class.

The Redskins managed to add a selection to their slate during the draft, leaving with eight picks, but none of those picks were used on a cornerback. After the NFL Draft, the Redskins had another opportunity to add talent to their cornerback room through undrafted free agency. They passed on that chance as well, instead adding just two receivers, a tight end, and a quarterback.

In the aftermath of the 2020 NFL Draft, the before and after photos of the Redskins’ cornerback room look the same, and it speaks volumes for what Ron Rivera might think of his new cornerback group.

Rivera added two cornerbacks with starting experience in free agency in Kendall Fuller and Ronald Darby, and on the roster, he retains one starter with upside in Fabian Moreau. Moreau and Darby are 26 years old, while Fuller is just 25. All three are young, and have athletic profiles and resumes that could be conducive to starting roles.

At most, these three could come to form a solid cornerback trio under Rivera’s tutelage. But it’s never wise to expect the best-case scenario. Fuller will need to be more consistent and be implemented in a role that maximizes his versatility. Moreau will need to further refine the mental part of his game, and Darby must stay healthy to provide any kind of positive impact.

At the very least, however, these players will incite competition with the cornerbacks behind them, as the final cornerback spots are very much up for grabs. Jimmy Moreland and Danny Johnson are small, slot-type cover men who thrive with their athleticism and ball skills. Greg Stroman showed promise at times in his rookie season, and even Simeon Thomas has a claim to competition, with special teams experience and an insane athletic profile which includes a 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, 35-inch arms, 4.46 speed, and a 39-inch vertical.

Just like Rivera got rid of Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar for a reason, he kept all of these players for a reason. The Redskins’ situation at cornerback is primed to naturally breed competition. What matriculates from that competition, however, remains to be seen.