The Washington Redskins secondary is clearly improved since last season thanks to Josh Norman. Look for Kendall Fuller to make a major impact on the team as well however.
The third round of the 2016 NFL draft saw the Redskins bolster their already improved secondary with the selection of Fuller.
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Many weren’t expecting the Virginia Tech product to contribute much this season.
With Norman and Bashaud Breeland already on the team, the top two cornerback spots were filled (via ESPN). Add in Quintin Dunbar, Greg Toler, and Will Blackmon, and Fuller was clearly seen as a project. However, Blackmon has moved to safety, opening up another spot at cornerback.
Add in the fact that Fuller’s last two preseason games saw him play lockdown corner while in, and you’ve got a situation.
Rookie comes up BIG!
— NFL (@NFL) August 27, 2016
@Redskins CB @KeFu11er seals the win with an INT! #BUFvsWAS https://t.co/lpsvxAyjUw
Maybe Fuller isn’t a project.
Maybe he’s got the stuff to contribute today.
One of his biggest strengths is his quickness. Fuller has the speed and the twitch to keep up with any receiver in the NFL. Add to that his already impressive coverage skills and instinct and it’s hard to see why he was considered a project in the first place.
Looking back, it was probably the knee injury that did it. He played only three games at Virginia Tech last year before ending his season with a torn meniscus. If that doesn’t happen, analysts might be talking about the great year he had in 2015. Instead, they are left to talk about his impressive freshman and sophomore years, and what could’ve been in his junior campaign.
With great cornerbacks in Norman and Breeland ahead of him, Fuller doesn’t have to worry about the toughest assignments on the field. He’s also got Dunbar and Toler to rotate with him. This will give him plenty of time to get used to the speed of the NFL. Finally, there’s the veteran leadership of safety DeAngelo Hall.
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In short, Fuller was placed on one of the best teams to help him succeed at the next level.
Expect this “project” to be handed in earlier than anticipated. The Redskins secondary might not have need much more of a boost thanks to Norman.
Fuller’s going to give them one anyway.