The Washington Post reports today that the Skins will have an interesting battle at the nickel spot, as 3rd round pick Kevin Barnes will battle it out with Fred Smoot:

The Redskins drafted Kevin Barnes in the third round out of Maryland to compete with Fred Smoot at nickel corner, and the local product was impressive during OTAs, snagging several interceptions and winning the defense’s competition on the final day of the practices with four picks.

Barnes projects confidence and immediately declared he was ready to compete with anybody on the roster, and his size may help him match up against some bigger wide receivers in the NFC East. But Barnes is coming off of an injury, and he’ll have to prove himself in the preseason.