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Are the Commanders in a safe spot at safety?

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NFL: NFC Divisional Round-Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Earlier this week my friend and host of Overtime on 106 The Fan, Lynnell Willingham, posted out a rather odd tweet regarding Washington’s safeties heading into the 2025 season.

I respect Lynnell, but did disagree with his take on the current state of our safeties. My question to him was – you are not a fan of Will Harris or Tyler Owens?

I have a MUCH higher view on our current safety situation that Lynnell, and I will outline below our current room and how I view the pieces.

Safeties

Quan Martin: Free Safety

2024 stats:

-16 games played (16 starts)

-87 tackles

-2 TFL

-2 INT (one in playoffs – pick 6)

-3 FF

Notes:

Quan improved tremendously in year two, showing a great nose for the ball and better eye discipline. What many don’t realize is that he played 2024 with two separated shoulders that he had minor surgery on this past winter.

I have him as one of my breakout candidates this season, and I think he has Pro Bowl potential for years to come on the back end.

Will Harris: Strong Safety

2024 stats:

-13 games played (13 starts)

-74 tackles

-3 TFL

-1 INT

Notes:

Harris is a versatile safety who can line up in multiple spots in the secondary. He has great reaction skills when the ball in in the air and is constantly looking to lay the lumber on receivers and running backs alike. He does a great job down in the box as an edge-setter in the run game and tight end eraser against the pass. He’s a significant upgrade to Chinn in coverage.

Percy Butler: Free Safety

2024 stats:

-17 games played (5 starts)

-47 tackles

-2 TFL

Notes:

Butler is another safety who can play all over the back end. He’s improved significantly since he was drafted in the fourth round in the 2022 draft class, and is one of just a few Ron Rivera picks who are still on the team.

Tyler Owens: Strong Safety

2024 stats:

-12 games played

-11 tackles

-1 FF

Notes:

Owens is a freak athlete who showed-out during the 2024 preseason and made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. He battled through some injuries last season, but showed the potential coaches saw in him when healthy. If he’s able to make strides this summer, he could see significant playing time as a dime-linebacker and backup safety. He is a special teams demon!

Jeremy Reaves: Safety

2024 stats:

-17 games played

-20 tackles

-1 FF

Notes:

Reaves, who went undrafted out of South Alabama, is a team captain who has made his mark primarily on special teams and as a back-up. He’ll remain a valuable part of the team moving forward.

Ben Nikkel: Strong Safety/Free Safety

Robert McDaniel: Strong Safety

Trey Rucker: Safety

I feel very comfortable with our two-deep heading into the 2025 season. Martin could be poised for a big year, and I think Harris is a significant coverage upgrade over Jeremy Chinn (who had some lapses in this area last season). The wild card here for me is Tyler Owens. His size, athleticism and playmaking ability could be a major factor on the back end of this defense (and as a dime linebacker). I have him listed as a strong safety, but I believe he could play both.

What intrigues me the most about this unit is the speed and athleticism. All of the projected contributors (with the exception of Reaves) are 4.4 or better guys with good versatility.

Although I would not be comfortable listing safety as a strength, I feel it is far from a weakness, and is an intriguing area to watch this summer during training camp.