Three things to watch at Washington Football Team padded practices
By Ian Cummings
No. 3 – Which bubble players will shine in pads?
All across the Washington Football Team’s roster, from running back to cornerback, there are bubble players who will need to use their opportunities in padded practice to earn roster spots. Already, Ron Rivera has singled out Kevin Pierre-Louis and Troy Apke as reserves who’ve distinguished themselves thus far, but padded practices bring an entirely different element.
Which players will take their chance at padded practices to rise above the competition, and go the extra mile? Which players will separate themselves, whether by their athleticism, physicality, or mental quickness? With no preseason on the horizon, the plays made in practice may literally earn players roster spots.
It’s also worth watching how athleticism and youth will play a hand in deciding the final roster. The 2020 regular season will undoubtedly be a prove-it year for many players, and if there’s a close decision being made, the younger player with more upside might get the nod. With that being said, Rivera has frequently endorsed pure competition, so it will be interesting to see what that looks like in a padded practice setting.
Next. Updated roster projection with Alex Smith healthy. dark
Position battles that are particularly worthy of attention include wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback, but in truth, every spot will be earned this offseason. Padded practices start today at 9:00 A.M., with plenty of news to follow.