Bacarri

Rambo

Washington is set at strong safety with Brandon Meriweather, but the free safety spot is wide open. There’s no denying that Thomas and Rambo have more talent than incumbent options Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes, but they both face a steep learning curve. Beat writer John Keim thinks Thomas is ahead of Rambo.

A ballhawking center-field safety at Georgia, Rambo is a poor tackler and has off-field issues, which caused him to slip deep into the third day of the draft. He could still be a steal there for a Washington team in desperate need of free safety help. Rambo will battle fellow rookie Phillip Thomas to be a starter.

Rambo (6-foot-1, 211) is a center-field safety with elite ballhawking ability, intercepting 16 career passes as a 36-game starter for the Dawgs. He also forced six fumbles. Rambo ran forty times of 4.64 and 4.66 with a 34-inch vertical at the UGA Pro Day. Rambo isn’t a great tackler and was suspended four games in 2012 for a positive marijuana test, but safeties with cover skills have rising value in the increasingly pass-happy NFL. He could compete for a starting job in a wide-open Redskins’ defensive backfield.

Thomas led the nation with eight interceptions last season at Fresno State, and he also forced four fumbles. He’s a true center-field cover safety. Coach Mike Shanahan said he thinks sixth-round S Bacarri Rambo can play strong safety, although Rambo acknowledged that he feels more comfortable at free safety. Thomas has a chance to start opposite SS Brandon Meriweather in Week 1.

Rambo played every defensive snap the first two weeks. He was limited strictly to special teams last week against Detroit. Rambo has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ worst safety this season and has missed four tackles. DC Jim Haslett went with three cornerbacks -- DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, and Josh Wilson -- along with SS Brandon Meriweather in the defensive backfield last week.

Rambo was expected to compete with DeJon Gomes and Reed Doughty, but it’s looking increasingly like Rambo has distanced himself from the pack. Rambo has the speed, ball skills and playmaking ability take the job and run with it.

“Yeah, I really do think one of them will be on the grass,” Haslett said. “I’m not sure which one, but one of them I think is going to have to. ... We’re saying Rambo is a free safety and [Thomas] is a strong safety.” Rambo (sixth round) was drafted later than Thomas (fourth), but all signs point to Rambo earning the starting job. Veteran FS Reed Doughty is best suited for special teams.

Brandon Meriweather is the starting strong safety, with rookie Phillip Thomas behind him. DeJon Gomes and Reed Doughty are behind Rambo at free. The position remains wide open to competition, but Rambo has the early edge.

Rambo started in Week 1, a sign of how desperate the Redskins were in the secondary. He was benched by Week 3 and proceeded to spend the majority of the season as a third or fourth safety. Rambo, a sixth-round pick in 2013, will have to make a mark as a special teamer in camp. He showed no real signs of being a starter at free safety.

Rambo is a playmaker, but extremely undisciplined. He’ll occupy a spot at the back end of a secondary that just lost Reshad Jones.