Washington Football Team Training Camp Profiles: Safeties
By Ian Cummings
Troy Apke
Experience: 3rd season
Draft Status: 2018 fourth-round pick (109th overall)
2019 Stats: 15 games, two starts, 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, two pass deflections
2020 Outlook: Troy Apke showed some measured growth during the 2019 season. Amidst injuries and uncertainty at the free safety position, he managed to see the field more often, and logged three plays on the ball. He wasn’t able to lock down the position long-term amidst that uncertainty, but the hope is that, with a stable, competent coaching staff, he could further unlock his elite athletic upside.
Expected Role: With his 4.34 40-yard dash time and 41-inch vertical at 6-foot-1, 206, Apke has the necessary height-weight-speed profile to flourish as a roaming free safety. But what he doesn’t have, as of yet, is the instinctual quickness and processing speed necessary to keep up with the pace of the NFL. We saw that improve slightly in 2019, but he needs to keep progressing if he wants to fulfill his upside as a potential starter. For now, he’s a top backup and special teamer.
Status: Apke’s role is somewhat uncertain at this point, but his roster status should provide him with some safety. Given the team’s lack of continuity at free safety, Apke’s presence will at least be valued by the coaching staff, and while he might not win the battle for the starting job against Sean Davis, his physical traits will likely be coveted in a 25-year old backup.