Washington Football Team: Analyzing 2021 third-round pick Benjamin St-Juste

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Defensive back Jordan Howden #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and teammate defensive back Benjamin St-Juste #25 react against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Defensive back Jordan Howden #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and teammate defensive back Benjamin St-Juste #25 react against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Washington Football Team DBs Deshazor Everett and Kendall Fuller. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Washington Football Team DBs Deshazor Everett and Kendall Fuller. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Team Fit

The biggest question surrounding Benjamin St-Juste’s projection isn’t so much about his ability to play. In his role, he can be a good player. But the Washington Football Team needed a pure safety more than it needed a cornerback in Round 3. So now, the question is whether St-Juste can fulfill that safety role.

The short answer is “not yet”. He doesn’t have extensive experience at safety. While he partook in some safety drills at the Senior Bowl, most of his career to this point has been spent on the boundary. Theoretically, he has some of the skills coveted at safety, such as his quick reaction ability, size, and modest explosiveness. But it would be a big change in his rookie year.

Consequently, it seems as though the most likely role for St-Juste with the Washington Football Team is boundary cornerback. In that role, he’s behind Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III. But if Fuller ever rotates into the slot or back to safety, St-Juste would be the first name on the list to file in outside.

Ultimately, St-Juste allows a bit more flexibility with other players, and he has the traits to eventually become a competent piece on the back end.