Washington Football Team: Defensive prospects to watch at Senior Bowl
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – American Team FS Richie Grant (UCF)
Above all else, the Washington Football Team needs a playmaking free safety to compliment Kamren Curl. May I then introduce to you UCF safety Richie Grant, the best safety at the Senior Bowl, and arguably the best pure free safety in the draft.
In a group that had a ton of good players, Grant might’ve been the best player at the 2021 Senior Bowl. Every day, he was a playmaker in the secondary, using his explosiveness, instincts, and fluid movement skills to roam in coverage with ferocious zeal. He wasn’t able to dish out teeth-rattling hits in the limited setting, but he has the ability to come downhill with force, and he also has the lateral athleticism and short-range burst to stick with players in man coverage.
As he showed throughout the week, Grant’s instinct for positioning is strong. In zone, he has a good mix of patience and decisiveness, and in man, he’s physical and quick with his feet, able to stick to receivers’ hip pockets. Additionally, at 6-foot-0, 200 pounds, Grant isn’t small. He has enough size to make plays on the ball, which he did often during Senior Bowl week.
Grant earned the Best Defensive Back Award for his practice performance, and he has a chance to show out during the game. The only red flag might be Grant’s age; he’ll be 24 in November of his rookie year. But he projects as an early starter with immense production potential, and the Washington Football Team could use a player like him on the back end with immediacy.
Next. Offensive players for Washington to watch during Senior Bowl. dark
At this point, Grant is probably a Round 2 pick, but as the final piece to a potentially elite defense, he’d be worth it.