Washington Football Team: 3 players we desperately need more from in Week 3

2. Kendall Fuller

The Football Team’s secondary put forth a nightmare performance against the Giants, who hung 29 points on the scoreboard. That’s pretty pathetic when you consider New York managed just 13 points vs Denver to open the season.

While the entire defense deserves some semblance of blame, Washington’s secondary, specifically their cornerbacks, were the main culprits.

We’ll start with Kendall Fuller. The WFT’s de facto No. 1 CB was exposed in man coverage, especially against slot specialist Sterling Shepard, who racked up a team-high nine receptions for 94 yards in the game.

Washington’s third-down defense has been a turnstile over the first two games, and Fuller is largely to blame for that. The 26-year-old conceded a handful of big first down conversions, one of which came on a pass interference that gifted New York a fresh set of downs. A few minutes later, they kicked a field goal.

Yes, Fuller came up with a big sack, but he’s getting paid to lock down or at least reduce the production of opposing team’s best playmakers. Shepard got the best of him in Week 2 and Keenan Allen gave him the business in Week 1.

Through two games, Fuller, despite being exceptional against the run and in pass-rushing situations, has a lowly 52.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s allowed 11 catches on 15 targets, good for a 73.3 completion percentage.

Fuller is the leader in the secondary, and Washington will need him to rise to the occasion against a high-powered Bills offense on Sunday.