Donte Whitner to Redskins: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Safety Donte Whitner announced he signed with the Washington Redskins on Wednesday:  

Whitner made the announcement after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported an agreement between the two sides.

The Cleveland Browns released Whitner, 31, this offseason after a productive 2015 season, as he registered 81 tackles and one forced fumble in 14 games. He was one of many Browns players to depart; the team also released linebacker Karlos Dansby, while Travis Benjamin, Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Tashaun Gipson and Craig Robertson signed elsewhere. In addition, Cleveland traded Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots.

Only Dansby (108) had more tackles than Whitner for the Browns last season.

Whitner, who was released in April, is still not happy about the timing of when he was let go by the Browns. "I feel like someone had a personal vendetta," Whitner said, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post. 

Whitner remains one of the league's hardest-hitting safeties and has accumulated 70 or more tackles in seven of his 10 NFL seasons. He's an asset near the line of scrimmage and against the run, though he's never been great in coverage. He is a big hitter who gives wide receivers pause coming over the middle, however. 

Whitner didn't show many signs of slowing down in 2015, so he'll be expected to be an impact performer for Washington in 2016. His release from the Browns was likely because of his large salary—he was due to make $6.2 million this upcoming season—rather than declining performance.

Washington will expect Whitner to be a key asset on the defense this season.

With DeAngelo Hall out for the season, Will Blackmon has stepped into the starting role alongside David Bruton Jr. at safety. The position has not been one of the strengths of the Washington defense in 2016, however, which means Whitner will have the opportunity to earn immediate playing time.

If nothing else, he'll provide depth for the team at the position. But it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually took over the starter's role from either Blackmon or Bruton.

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