Malik Gant
Art Monk Jersey , SSchool: Marshall | Conference: Conference USACollege Experience: RS Junior | Age: 21Height / Weight: 6-0 / 209 lbsProjected Draft
Status: 5th - 6th RoundNFL Comparison: Derrick KindredCollege StatisticsPlayer
OverviewA native of Washington, DC and graduate of Woodson High School, Malik
Gant was a walk-on at Marshall. By his red-shirt sophomore season, he had been
offered a scholarship and he subsequently set the world on fire, accumulating
100 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, five pass break ups, and second team All-Conference
USA honors. During his red-shirt junior season, he was even better, collecting
95 tackles, 9 for a loss, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass break ups. His stellar
performance earned him Marshall’s team MVP award and first team All-Conference
USA honors. Gant projects as a strong safety with special teams capacity, but is
less adept in deep coverage.StrengthsTackling machine.Plays with intensity.Good
at pursuing with angles.Hard hitting box safety.Could be a special teams
stud.WeaknessesLimited in man coverage.Such a hard hitter, there are concerns
about durability.Average range over the top.Played against lesser
competition.Let’s see his workHow He Would Fit On The RedskinsHaving just signed
Landon Collins to a big money, 6-year deal
Trent Williams Jersey , the Redskins’ need for another box safety is fairly limited. However, Gant could provide safety depth, filling in on sub packages to
cover tight ends or slot receivers, as well as serve as a valued special teams
contributor. Described as a “heat seeking missle,” his tackling ability and high
motor would be a welcome addition on returns. Realistically, a player like Gant
would probably be training camp competition for Troy Apke and Deshazor Everett.
D.J. Swearinger has gone from one non-playoff team to another.The former
Washington safety, cut after repeatedly bad-mouthing the coaching staff, has
indicated on social media that he’s returning to Arizona.A second-round pick of
the Texans in 2013, Swearinger was waived after two years in Houston. The
Buccaneers gave him a landing spot until November, at which time Tampa Bay
released him. The Cardinals eventually signed Swearinger to the practice
squad.He replaced Tyrann Mathieu on the roster after Mathieu suffered a December
ACL tear. In 2016, Swearinger played in all 16 games, starting 12.Washington
signed Swearinger as a free agent in 2017. The Pro Bowl alternate was waived
earlier this week.The Cardinals will now assume the balance of Sweaninger’s
contract. Signed through 2019, Swearinger has a $4.25 million salary plus a
$250,000 roster bonus next year.Arizona had dibs over all other teams in the
waiver priority. The NFL used to disclose publicly all other teams that made a
claim; now, it gets out only if someone leaks it.
