Washington Redskins: Who is Lloyd Carrington?

The Washington Redskins secondary is loaded heading into 2016. Can Lloyd Carrington find a way to make the rotation?

Carrington got the entirety of Redskins Twitter buzzing with his absurd leaping, one-handed interceptions in practice on June 14.

One interception, no matter how unreal it is, doesn’t get someone a free invitation into the defensive back rotation.

So what else can Carrington do to find his way on the Redskins’ roster?

Related Story: Washington Redskins: Can They Make a Deep Playoff Run?

Let me start off by saying I think it speaks a lot to Carrington’s character that the entire sidelines sprinted over to him after the interception above to celebrate. He’s clearly already made some friends on the roster, and I believe nothing is more important then chemistry for a team that plans on making the playoffs. He clearly brings good vibes and a positive attitude to the squad, something that the coaches will notice when deciding who makes the roster and who gets cut.

Next, he brings experience to the Redskins’ secondary. I know he’s a rookie, but he played seven games at Pittsburgh University his Freshman year of college, then 12 games at Arizona State University in both his Sophomore and Junior seasons, and 13 games his Senior year. He has plenty of experience under his belt.

Next, Carrington gives the Redskins a shutdown potential cornerback. In college, Carrington recorded three interceptions, but as cornerbacks like Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman, and Washington’s own Bashaud Breeland have proven, you don’t need to pick off a bunch of passes every season to be an extremely effective cornerback. Carrington’s highlight reel is riddled with fantastic coverage and impressive pass breakups.

He can tackle. You have to love a cornerback who can tackle. Plenty of corners have great coverage skills, but if they have to make a tackle in the open field they end up flopping more than Anderson Varejao (got heeeemmmm). Carrington’s fantastic at wrapping up the ball carrier, and has even been known to lay the lumber.

Seriously, I’m talking hard hits. If I had anything better than mediocre video-making skills I’d make a compilation of his hits with “Lay You Down” from G-Unit in the back, because both his hits and that song were completely underrated. This makes him an intriguing target for special teams, which would definitely raise his stock.

He’s also extremely adapt at rushing the passer. His four sacks in his final two seasons of college are proof of that.

Carrington will definitely have competition to make the Redskins. Josh Norman and Breeland are clearly the top corners on the team. Kendall Fuller and Quinton Dunbar will be fighting for the third corner spot, but both are obvious choices to make the team. That leaves one, maybe two open slots for Greg Toler, Mariel Cooper, Jeremy Harris, DaShaun Phillips, and of course Carrington (Deshazor Everett and DeAngelo Hall have moved to safety).

I find it hard to believe that Toler won’t make the team. He was brought in this offseason and has the most experience of the group (via Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com). Toler ‘s been a steady impact player for six seasons in the NFL, something the Redskins will take into consideration.

Washington Redskins: What Will Compton Brings to the Table

Phillips and Harris have both spent time on the Redskins roster, while Cooper is an intriguing prospect from The Citadel.

When cut-season comes around, I expect Carrington to be the last man standing (word to Joell Ortiz) out of the four. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Redskins have him ranked ahead of Toler. That one interception may have put him on the radar for the fan base, but the Redskins knew what they were doing when they signed the 23-year old undrafted free agent.

Carrington’s got a lot going for him, don’t be surprised to see him making an impact on the defense this season.