Redskins 53-man roster projection: New-look ‘Skins rely on youth, upside

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kelvin Harmon #13 of the Washington Redskins communicates during their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kelvin Harmon #13 of the Washington Redskins communicates during their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 16: Defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins #78 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets (not pictured) in the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 16: Defensive back Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins #78 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets (not pictured) in the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Safety (4)

Landon Collins, Sean Davis, Kamren Curl, Troy Apke

The secondary is unsettled beyond Collins and Fuller, so the safety battle will surely be something to watch as well.

Collins’ running mate figures to be free-agent signee Sean Davis. The former Maryland product and Pittsburgh Steeler is a good athlete and complements Collins well. He had some nice moments in Pittsburgh, but he just has to work on his consistency to potentially emerge as a good starter and bargain for Washington.

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The backups are where things get interesting. Rivera likes special teamers. And Deshazor Everett has been a strong one for the Redskins. But will he keep him over Kamren Curl, a guy who projects to be a similar player at the next level? That remains to be seen. Everett is only 28, but in this roster projection, he gets cut in favor of Curl.

For those surprised to see Apke on here, don’t be. The Redskins need some speed on special teams and Apke looked better playing safety last season than he did as a rookie. If he can continue to grow, he could find a way onto the team. It’s not a guarantee, but the 25-year-old’s raw potential is still sky-high. If Rivera and Del Rio think they can work with him, he’s a fine fourth safety to keep.

Everett could easily make the roster if the Redskins keep one less running back and one more safety. He also could beat out Curl or Apke for a spot. He’ll be a player to watch in 2020. Jeremy Reaves, a 2019 preseason standout who spent last year with the ‘Skins, will also be in the mix and could beat out Apke if he shows more polish than the Penn State product.