Washington Redskins: How quickly can Jimmy Moreland find a role?

The Washington Redskins selected cornerback Jimmy Moreland in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. How quickly can he carve out a role?

The Washington Redskins made massive waves in the 2019 NFL Draft when they managed to get two stars in the first round. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins is expected to be the leader of the offense they’ve looked for since before 2000. Meanwhile, Montez Sweat can be the next superstar playmaker for the defense. He is expected to harass quarterbacks for years to come with his elite physical traits.

However, the draft didn’t end after the first round. In fact, the Redskins got another potential playmaker all the way in the seventh round with cornerback Jimmy Moreland.

Currently, the Washington secondary is in a weird spot. They have some major playmakers in 2019 free-agent signing Landon Collins at safety and Josh Norman at cornerback. Yes, Norman is still a very good cornerback — don’t pretend he isn’t.

Behind Collins, Montae Nicholson has plenty of potential at safety. Meanwhile, Norman has Quinton Dunbar opposite of him. The cornerback position also has Fabian Moreau (who looked strong as a slot corner last season) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Adonis Alexander has loads of potential and Greg Stroman is exciting as well.

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Therefore, while it’s not the most all-star cast we’ve ever seen, this group has plenty of talent and potential. It also doesn’t seem to have an obvious spot for Moreland. That can be changed quickly though.

Moreland is by no means a big body, listed at 5-10, 179 pounds. However, he has the ball skills to be an effective safety, which could earn him some playing time there as well as at his natural position at corner. He’s also already establishing himself as one of the better ballhawk defensive backs on the team.

Last season, the Redskins were tied for ninth place in the NFL with 15 interceptions. While that doesn’t sound bad at all, they were 12 away from the leaders but just five away from 25th place. The leader on the team was D.J. Swearinger with four. He’s no longer in Washington. Norman had three, Dunbar and linebacker Mason Foster each had two. Stroman, Moreau and Deshazor Everett each had one and Preston Smith (no longer with the team) had the other.

That means that only 10 interceptions from last season are still on the Redskins. Clearly, Washington needs some playmakers. How about the guy that racked up 14 interceptions in three years in college (12 of them coming in his last two seasons)? Moreland’s ability to find the ball will make him extremely valuable to the Redskins. It will also help him find his way onto the field.

Although he might not actually be listed as the first backup safety or fourth corner, whenever Washington runs with one extra defensive back, it could be Moreland that you see on the field. You could also see him taking time in the slot as Moreau’s backup (surpassing Stroman) very early in the season.

Moreland has all the tools to be an exciting player in the NFL. He’ll bring a lot to the table and that could force the Washington Redskins to put him on the field. So how quickly will he carve out a role on the defense? Week 1 is a legitimate possibility. However, if we’re going to be safe with this estimate, let’s just say he’ll be making moves before the bye week (Week 10).