The Washington Redskins are adding depth to their secondary, adding former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Davis is a Washington, DC native, starring at Maret high school before playing both safety and cornerback for the Maryland Terrapins, collegiality. He also idolized former Redskins’ legend Sean Taylor.
But this will be more than a homecoming to DC.
Davis, 26, adds versatility to the Redskins defense much like the additions of cornerback Kendall Fuller and linebackers Thomas Davis and Kevin Pierre-Louis.
A second-round pick of the Steelers in 2016, Davis spent time at as a slot corner as a rookie, strong safety and most recently free safety.
He started 15 games in 2018 as free safety and was tabbed the starter for 2019 but a shoulder injury led to him being placed on injured reserve in Week 2.
The addition of Davis gives Washington someone to push for the starting free safety. Davis has the range and mobility to cover sideline-to-sideline to complement strong safety Landon Collins. Something that has been missing from the Redskins since the death of Taylor in 2007.
Washington has turned to a number of options throughout the years, most recently Montae Nicholson.
Nicholson has been the off and on free safety for the Redskins the past three seasons. On and off the field issues have hampered his young career. On the field in 2018, he was benched for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Last year, he started 13 games, however, he ended the season on injured reserve.
Troy Apke filled in but he was unable to prove to be a suitable replacement. Now, Davis may provide that and give Washington’s new regime options led by Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
