The Washington Redskins signed David Bruton to compete with Duke Ihenacho for the starting safety position. My guess would be that Bruton has the advantage entering camp simply because Ihenacho has missed most of the last two seasons because of injuries (though Bruton also is coming off an injury). He's considered an excellent leader and a strong presence in the community -- Denver's version of Lorenzo Alexander.

After watching three of his games last season (New England, San Diego and Pittsburgh), here's a quick take on Bruton's game:

David Bruton Jr. should compete for the starting safety position for the Redskins. AP Photo/David Richard

What I liked: He competes, he seems to be in the right place and plays disciplined. For the most part, he’s a good tackler. I did see two missed tackles, but every player misses them. But Bruton was pretty good coming up and tackling from the deep middle when needed. He wraps well, and I like that he gets good leg drive when he tackles. Saw him stop a ball carrier with good pop and drive a couple times. Bruton was able to play deep when needed in a single-high and cover-three look. He has improved covering tight ends (or sometimes inside receivers or backs, split wide) and can play both man and zone. In some packages, Bruton served as a linebacker. I like the versatility this could give the Redskins’ defense. At 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, he provides good size in the secondary, something the Redskins like (and need). Liked his patience a few times against San Diego; he didn’t bite on a fake block attempt by running back Danny Woodhead, allowing him to maintain leverage when Woodhead went out on a route instead. Will be physical with tight ends in coverage and in the run game; works hard to disengage from blocks (competitiveness). Has good speed and plays smart. He’s tough. He played much of the Pittsburgh game with a broken fibula.

What I didn’t: He’s not a playmaker and at times his agility wasn’t always the greatest. When he played up near the line in the games I watched, I didn’t see him make any plays behind the line (or any that made you think, definite starter). He wasn’t bad at all, but he didn’t stand out, either. Though he has good speed and seems to read well, Bruton wasn’t always the most fluid turning and running, so some plays he has the speed to make perhaps weren’t getting made. When he was fluid, Bruton could cover some ground. He struggled in man coverage earlier in his career and there were a couple times he allowed too much separation, but one game where that occurred was vs. Pittsburgh when he played hurt.

Overall: I’ve heard mixed reviews on Bruton when it comes to possibly being a starter. The Redskins feel he’ll compete for the starting job, and theirs is the one opinion that matters. I know one coach from another team that needed safety help liked him a lot -- but as a spot starter and core special teamer. His tape doesn’t make you jump out of your seat or anything, but it’s not hard to see positive qualities, either, and reasons why the Redskins like him. Safeties playing for Denver last season had it pretty good considering the Broncos’ pass rush and their corner play. Bruton will not be playing in the same sort of lineup, but the rush could be much improved if Junior Galette is healthy. Whether he starts or not, Bruton can help in some capacity. I like the versatility (for the Jeron Johnson comparison crowd: He’s better). The Redskins, any team for that matter, would prefer one stud. But short of that, you can mix and match personnel. With Bruton, even if he doesn’t start he should have a role -- and with corners Will Blackmon and Deshazor Everett playing some safety -- they could do different things with their coverage packages. Blackmon, for example, could drop to play deep half along with DeAngelo Hall with Bruton aligned as a linebacker. Even with Bruton there are questions at safety, but based on his film he has a chance to help Washington.