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Kendall Fuller is Another Smart Redskins Pick

Kendall Fuller is a high-upside cornerback who won't be asked to do much in 2016.

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Redskins selected Kendall Fuller with the No. 84 pick in the draft, their third-round selection. While it's somewhat surprising that GM Scot McCloughan has moved back a grand total of one spot through the first three rounds, it's hard not to like the players he's bringing in.

With three picks, the Redskins added three playmakers. Josh Doctson could catch a half-dozen touchdowns this season with a little luck, and Su'a Cravens can both sack the quarterback and haul in interceptions. Fuller had 8 interceptions, 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his time at Virginia Tech, and he would have had more if he hadn't been so plagued by injury.

But that's a big part of why he was still available midway through the third round — he broke his wrist in 2014, then he tore his meniscus in 2015.

Nonetheless, Fuller is a ballhawking corner who comes from a long line of NFL players, with his brothers Vincent, Corey and Kyle all having played in the league. In his one fully healthy season at Virginia Tech, he picked off six passes and broke up 11, and that was as a true freshman.

At 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, he's not an especially big corner, but he's also not totally undersized. That shouldn't be much of an issue for him, at least not right away, as he won't be expected to contribute all that much as rookie, with the trio of Josh Norman, Chris Culliver and Bashaud Breeland handling primary corner duties.

As a rookie, Fuller needs to come to Washington, learn from the incumbents and bulk up. Breeland, especially, can be helpful, as he's a similarly built corner who's had great success against bigger receivers such as Dez Bryant in the NFL. Fuller, who does not lack self-confidence, will also benefit from the collective swagger of the Washington secondary — Norman, Culliver, Breeland and DeAngelo Hall all play with a chip on their shoulders, and Fuller should fit right in.

I don't see Fuller having a significant impact this season, but it would be nice to see him contribute on special teams, and stay healthy. If he can do both of those, and maybe fill out his slender frame a little, the Redskins might consider heading into the 2017 season with him as the slot corner at the expense of Culliver.