Breaking down the Washington Redskins’ secondary for 2020

Safety depth

Depth Safeties: Troy Apke, Kamren Curl, Deshazor Everett, Jeremy Reaves, Maurice Smith

Two of these five are likely to make the team, and experience and versatility favors Apke and Everett. Apke looked lost at times last year, but he is a freakish athlete, who plays very well on special teams, and should improve with experience. Everett has been a steady, if unremarkable, presence in the secondary for five years now, making him the veteran back there. He can play either safety spot, and can fill in at cornerback if necessary. Such flexibility could give him a leg up when battling a crop of younger players.

Reaves played reasonably well when given a chance due to injury last year and could win a spot with his special teams play. Smith will have to leapfrog several others to make the roster, but the seventh-round draft pick Curl has some in the organization excited. He is a very physical player who could be a force on special teams, and who could also be benefit from playing behind Collins.

Curl’s 24 reps in the bench press at the 2020 NFL Combine was quite a feat for a safety. It is reminiscent of fellow draftee Khaleke Hudosn’s dominant bench press performance, which led all linebackers, and gives a pretty clear indication of the type of defender coach Ron Rivera is looking for. And, speaking of Hudson, his tweener size and rare combination of speed and power, could earn him some time playing a hybrid linebacker-safety spot, especially against two-tight end sets, and that could throw one more monkey wrench into any roster projections.

If I had to guess right now, I’d say that Fuller, Darby, Collins, Davis, Moreau, Moreland, Colvin, Apke, and Everett will make the opening day roster, with Thomas poised to take a spot when eligible, and Johnson and Curl are knocking on the door, but likely headed to the practice squad.