The wide receiver-turned-cornerback was promoted from the practice squad and quickly thrown into the team’s nickel sub package as an outside cornerback because of the numerous injuries the Redskins suffered at the position last season. Dunbar, 23, thrived in the role in 11 games (two starts). He finished with five passes defended and his first career interception in Week 12 against the New York Giants.

Listed at 6 feet 2 and 201 pounds, Dunbar is going through his first full offseason as a cornerback and Fewell has been pleased with his progress.

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“His knowledge has really expanded,” Fewell said last week. “He knows a little bit what to expect, and he’s really doing a better job this year of competing. I think he has an expectation level, and he’s competing on a daily basis.”

The Florida product has been used both in the team’s base package and in the nickel duringoffseason practices and minicamp. He was used as an outside cornerback in the nickel package last year, but Fewell believes Dunbar has the capability to play in the slot as well.

“Last year, we didn’t let him do both, and that’s some of the progress he’s made,” Fewell said. “He’s able to go inside and play some inside.”

The Redskins stuck with Dashaun Phillips as their first-team nickel back prior to their six-week break. Phillips, 25, showed some promise late last season when he was promoted off the practice squad and played well on special teams. That will be an interesting battle to watch during training camp next month. Fewell said Fuller, Bashaud Breeland and undrafted rookie Mariel Cooper are also other nickel candidates.

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“The nickel position, you have to have cover skills,” Fewell said. “Then you have to have the ability to blitz and go in there and take on some of the big guys. You have to have a little bit of safety in you to take on sometimes a pulling guard, a tight end or what-have-you. It’s kind of like three positions into one, but cover skills are the most important skills. The ability to think and be a smart football player comes into factor as well.”