Washington bolstered its secondary by signing safety Donte Whitner to a one-year contract, the team has announced. Whitner, a 2006 top-10 draft pick, was released by the Cleveland Browns in early April.
Veteran safety Donte Whitner had offers from the Rams and Panthers, but decided to sign with Washington
Whitner worked out for the Panthers, Rams, and Giants, but decided to go with Washington.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Whitner tweeted that he was offered contracts by the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, but opted to sign with Washington instead. Whitner also worked out for the New York Giants, a team that is dealing with myriad injuries in its defensive backfield, last Sunday, according to Rapoport.
The 10-year veteran spent the last two years in Cleveland, where he started 30 games at strong safety and averaged more than 90 tackles per season. He was the team’s second-leading tackler in 2015, and graded out as the NFL’s 24th-best safety per Pro Football Focus last year.
Whitner is a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the more durable defensive backs in the league, having missed only three games in the last six seasons. A prototypical box safety, the 30-year-old is known for his hard-hitting style and excels in run support, while his range and coverage skills are both considered below average.
Although Whitner has been away from football since being released by the Browns, it seems like he’s ready to get back to it.
When I touch the football filed again it won't be nice..... Promise...
— DonteHitner (@DonteWhitner) October 3, 2016
* field* for the grammar police
— DonteHitner (@DonteWhitner) October 3, 2016
Washington's general manager, Scott McCloughan, was with the San Francisco 49ers during Whitner's tenure there, and is familiar with what Whitner has to offer. The secondary, even with the addition of cornerback Josh Norman, has been a liability in Washington.
Starting free safety DeAngelo Hall was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL he suffered in Washington’s Week 3 win over the Giants, and his backup, David Bruton, Jr., was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a concussion in last week’s win against the Browns.
The team’s pass defense is 25th in the league, having allowed 280.5 yards per game. Whitner is a sure tackler and can help shore up a run defense that’s currently ranked 30th in the NFL.
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