Kendall Fuller may be the odd man out after the Washington Commanders drafted two defensive backs in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
The Commanders selected Emmanuel Forbes out of Mississippi State with the 16th overall pick. Forbes is considered a ball-hawk with his ability to create plays tracking the football. Forbes primarily played on the outside.
The Commanders already have Fuller and Benjamin St-Justes at cornerback. Both played primarily on the outside last season for Washington. While both have played in the slot, Fuller has more experience there. Thus, many assumed Fuller might be destined to shift back into his former nickel corner role with the addition of Forbes.
Kendall Fuller played inside when the Commanders drafted him in 2016. But he got traded in 2018 to the Kansas City Chiefs, sliding to the outside, before signing back with Washington as a free agent in 2020.
However, Fuller’s outlook on the team changed drastically 24 hours later when the Commanders selected Jartavius Martin out of Illinois in the second round. Martin is a versatile defensive back who projects as a nickel corner.
Washington views Forbes and Martin as starters. They would not have drafted either in the first two rounds if their intentions were not to start them. Therefore, the notions that the two will collectively replace Fuller, who is entering the final year of his contract, seem valid.
Michael Fish of Sports Illustrated suggested Fuller may go from one of the highest-paid Commanders players to a training camp battle that may decide whether he is on the 53-man roster for the 2023 season.
“It appears now the veteran may be getting phased out of the defense he was just a leader of last season, and it may actually come faster than many expect. With a potential cap savings of $8.5 million available if Washington chooses to trade or release Fuller, the team could complete the communication by making him a free agent. At best – or worst depending on how you view things – the Commanders veteran is squarely placed into a camp battle that could see him relegated to backup duties.”
Cutting or trading Fuller would potentially mean starting two rookies in the secondary. Fuller played well last season for a Washington defense that ranked third overall and fourth against the pass.
Ron Rivera enters his fourth season as the Commanders’ head coach. He has a lot to prove after three underwhelming seasons. Not to mention, the Commanders face an ownership change that could make Rivera a lame-duck coach.
Rivera is already counting on last year’s fifth-round draft pick, Sam Howell, as starting quarterback. A sudden youth movement in the secondary may not suit the situation.
However, the 28-year-old Fuller slates to carry an $11.625 million salary cap hit in 2023. Washington can save $8.5 million against the cap if the team releases or trades Fuller.
The Commanders currently have just over $3 million of cap space. It needs to sign their rookies and have wiggle room. Moving on from Fuller is not so farfetched.
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