Montae

Nicholson

Nicholson, 24, was a fourth-round pick in 2017 and started all 13 games he appeared in last season, getting in on 873 snaps. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 87 safety out of 92 qualifiers in the process. Now coach Ron Rivera obviously isn’t a fan. The Redskins also cut fellow DBs Kayvon Webster, Breon Borders, Dee Delaney, and Coty Sensabaugh.

Washington is all kinds of banged up in the secondary entering their Week 17 finale against the Cowboys. CBs Quinton Dunbar (hamstring, IR) and Fabian Moreau (hamstring, IR) are also done for the season. Nicholson finishes the year as PFF’s No. 93 ranked safety among 100 qualified players.

Nicholson has not been arrested or charged with a crime, and it does not appear he is a suspect so much as a witness. It is unclear if Nicholson, who was already sidelined with an ankle injury, will be active this weekend. The smart money is on “no.”

Nicholson was arrested and charged with assault and public drunkenness in December. The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence according to Nicholson’s lawyer. With this legal situation behind him, Nicholson will compete for the starting job opposite free-agent addition Landon Collins.

This comes after Nicholson was arrested on Tuesday. He’ll be shut down for the season on NFI. A 2017 fourth-rounder, Nicholson’s off-field issues could put his 2019 status in jeopardy.

Both Nicholson and a female companion were charged. The two apparently “pulled up in a vehicle and honked the horn” at a man and woman. It’s unclear what ensued after. Nicholson was benched mid-season after shaky early-year play.

Nicholson (6’2/212) made 23 starts in the Spartans’ secondary, managing 4.5 career tackles for loss with four interceptions and one forced fumble. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2016. While Nicholson’s college production doesn’t stand out, he offers plus size and straight-line speed (4.42) and looks the part of a potential impact gunner on special teams. Nicholson’s defensive future is cloudy with stiff hips and a disappointing physicality on college tape.

The fourth-round rookie has made six starts but missed some time with injury. He’s been providing solid, if unspectacular, snaps.

A fourth-round rookie, Nicholson was seeing snaps and making plays before going down in Week 11. “He’s obviously showed a lot of promise and we love him as a player and an athlete,” coach Jay Gruden said in a release. Nicholson should be in the mix for a starting job in 2018.