What has he done in the NFL so far?
Troy Apke was drafted by Washington in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with the 109th overall pick. He has been with the team ever since, appearing in at least one game every season. He has played mostly on special teams, where he has recorded 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His best season on defense was in 2020, when he started seven games and had 47 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. He also ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which was the fastest among all safeties that year.
Why did he sign a reserve/futures contract with Washington?
Troy Apke spent most of the 2021 season on Washington's practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster on December 31. He played in two games, against the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys, exclusively on special teams. On January 10, 2023, he signed a reserve/futures contract with Washington, along with eight other players. A reserve/futures contract is a type of contract that ensures a player will be on an NFL team throughout the offseason, and will be placed on the team's 90-man offseason roster in March.
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What are the benefits of a reserve/futures contract?
Guaranteed spot on the offseason roster
One of the main advantages of a reserve/futures contract is that it guarantees a player a spot on the team's offseason roster, which means he will be able to participate in all offseason activities, such as workouts, meetings, minicamps, and training camp. This gives him a chance to learn from the coaches, improve his skills, and build chemistry with his teammates.
Exclusive rights to negotiate with Washington
Another benefit. Exclusive rights to negotiate with Washington
A reserve/futures contract also gives the player exclusive rights to negotiate with the team that signed him. This means that no other team can offer him a contract or sign him away until the start of the new league year. This gives the player some security and stability, as well as a chance to prove himself to the team that showed interest in him.
Opportunity to compete for a regular season role
Finally, a reserve/futures contract provides the player with an opportunity to compete for a regular season role on the team. While there is no guarantee that he will make the final 53-man roster, he will have a chance to showcase his talent and potential during the offseason and preseason. He will also have an advantage over any rookies or free agents that join the team later, as he will already be familiar with the playbook, the coaches, and the system.
What are the challenges of a reserve/futures contract?
No guarantee of making the final 53-man roster
While a reserve/futures contract has many benefits, it also has some challenges. One of them is that there is no guarantee that the player will make the final 53-man roster when the regular season begins. The team can cut him at any time before or during training camp, or even after the preseason games. The player will also have to compete with other players on the roster, especially those who have more experience, higher draft status, or bigger contracts.
Limited playing time and experience on defense
Another challenge of a reserve/futures contract is that the player will have limited playing time and experience on defense. Most players who sign these contracts are either undrafted rookies, practice squad players, or fringe veterans who have not seen much action on defense. They will have to prove themselves on special teams first, and then hope to get some snaps on defense if there are injuries or poor performances by other players. They will also have to learn from their mistakes quickly, as they will not have many opportunities to impress the coaches.
Competition from other safeties on the team
A third challenge of a reserve/futures contract is that the player will face competition from other safeties on the team. Washington has several safeties on its roster, including Landon Collins, Kamren Curl, Bobby McCain, Jeremy Reaves, Deshazor Everett, and Cole Luke. Some of them are established starters or key contributors, while others are young prospects or versatile backups. The player will have to stand out among this group and show that he can add value to the defense.
What are the expectations for Troy Apke in 2023?
Special teams contributor and depth player
The most realistic expectation for Troy Apke in 2023 is that he will be a special teams contributor and a depth player on defense. He has shown that he can excel on special teams, where he can use his speed and athleticism to make tackles, force fumbles, and recover loose balls. He can also provide some depth at safety, where he can play both free and strong safety positions. He has some experience as a starter, but he will likely be behind other players on the depth chart.
Potential breakout candidate if given a chance
A more optimistic expectation for Troy Apke in 2023 is that he will be a potential breakout candidate if given a chance to play on defense. He has shown flashes of his ability as a safety, where he can cover ground quickly, break up passes, and intercept balls. He has also improved his tackling and awareness over the years. He could surprise some people if he gets an opportunity to play due to injuries or poor performances by other players. He could also benefit from playing under defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who has coached some great safeties in his career.
Fan favorite and Penn State alum
A more sentimental expectation for Troy Apke in 2023 is that he will be a fan favorite and a Penn State alum. He has a loyal fan base among Penn State fans, who remember his contributions to the program and his impressive performance at the NFL Combine. He also has a connection with Washington fans, who appreciate his hustle, grit, and passion for the game. He could become a cult hero if he makes some big plays on special teams or defense.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Troy Apke is a safety who signed a reserve/futures contract with Washington for the 2023 season. He played college football at Penn State, where he was part of James Franklin's first recruiting class and helped the team win a Big Ten championship in 2016. He was drafted by Washington in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has been with the team ever since. He has played mostly on special teams, where he has excelled, and he has also started some games on defense, where he has shown potential. He signed a reserve/futures contract with Washington in January 2023, which gives him some benefits, such as a guaranteed spot on the offseason roster, exclusive rights to negotiate with Washington, and an opportunity to compete for a regular season role. He also faces some challenges, such as no guarantee of making the final 53-man roster, limited playing time and experience on defense, and competition from other safeties on the team. He has different expectations for the 2023 season, depending on his performance and situation. He could be a special teams contributor and a depth player on defense, a potential breakout candidate if given a chance, or a fan favorite and a Penn State alum.
Call to action for the readers
What do you think of Troy Apke and his reserve/futures contract with Washington? Do you think he will make the final roster and contribute to the team in 2023? Do you have any memories or opinions of him as a Penn State player or a Washington player? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to share this article with your friends and fellow fans. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
What is a reserve/futures contract?
A reserve/futures contract is a type of contract that ensures a player will be on an NFL team throughout the offseason, and will be placed on the team's 90-man offseason roster in March. It is usually signed by players who are not on an active roster at the end of the regular season, such as practice squad players or free agents.
How fast is Troy Apke?
Troy Apke is one of the fastest safeties in the NFL. He ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2018, which was the fastest among all safeties that year. He also ran track and field in high school, where he won state titles in the 100-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay.
How much does Troy Apke make?
Troy Apke signed a four-year rookie contract with Washington in 2018, worth $3.1 million, with a $711,388 signing bonus. His base salary for 2021 was $920,000, but he only earned $66,176 of it, as he spent most of the season on the practice squad. His base salary for 2022 is $1.02 million, but it is not guaranteed until he makes the final roster.
Where did Troy Apke go to college?
Troy Apke went to Penn State University from 2014 to 2017. He played for the Nittany Lions football team under head coach James Franklin. He was part of Franklin's first recruiting class at Penn State, and he helped the program win a Big Ten championship in 2016 and finish with an 11-2 record in 2017.
What position does Troy Apke play?
Troy Apke plays safety, which is a defensive position that is responsible for covering receivers, tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks in passing situations. He can also support the run defense by tackling ball carriers or blitzing the quarterback. He can play both free safety and strong safety positions, depending on the defensive scheme and personnel.
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