Projecting the Depth Chart: Secondary

Cornerback: DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson

Josh Wilson

Backup(s): Richard Crawford, E.J. Biggers, David Amerson, Chase Minnifield

DeAngelo Hall is a former pro bowler and has the ability to take over a game like he did against Chicago in the 2011 season. However, for the rest of the time he is generally a reliability. Hall will probably move around some depending on the coverage but it really will not matter.  He is serviceable for now but he is not the long term answer for the Redskins. Josh Wilson had a down year but he is still young and has shown in the past he can be a solid number 2 corner. Once again he is not an elite player and will not be able to cover the best wide receivers for an entire game. The backups are probably the most interesting part of the cornerback group. Crawford showed some promise late in the season but isn't a sure thing. Biggers is a solid third corner and will most likely battle with Crawford for playing time. Amerson is a rookie who has the ability to make plays on the ball. However, he aslo gave up a lot of big plays his last season in college when receivers used double moves. He has the ability to be a good starter but I worry that he could just be another DeAngelo Hall. Minnifield is a bit of a fan favorite. He was an undrafted rookie in 2012 because of an injury and sat out this season with the same injury. Minnifield had the potential to be a good NFL corner but he has to show he can come back and show he is healthy and still has that potential. Cornerback is the weakest position on the team and still needs to be upgraded come next offseason. There is some potential but I do not expect any real stars to come out of this current group.

Safeties: Brandon Meriweather, Reed Doughty
Backup(s): Phillip Thomas, Baccari Rambo, DeJon Gomes

Meriweather hits Forte

Many may be angry with my prediction of Reed Doughty as a starter however, I believe the Redskins will start the season with Doughty and later work Rambo or Thomas in as the starter as they progress. Doughty is not a true starting safety but he is a great backup and special teams player who works hard and can occasionally make a big hit. Meriweather has had flashes of good to great play throughout his career and seemed to be making a difference last year when he was healthy. If he can come back healthy he should be a difference maker for a secondary that lacked talent last year. Thomas and Rambo are both in a similar situation. They are both talented players who can play strong and free safety. However, I think it will take time for them to adapt to the NFL and while one of them will most likely emerge as a starter midway through the season, they may not be ready for the first game. Even though Thomas was a much higher draft pick it will be interesting to see which one gets more playing time. Gomes is another solid backup who can play when one of the starters is out but that is the extent of his abilities.