The Washington Redskins saw some improvement in their defensive play in 2017 before injuries took their toll, but perhaps no single player improved more than defensie back Kendall Fuller.

The second-year cornerback out of Virginia Tech shined this season, showcasing the coverage skills out of the slot that prompted the Redskins to select him in the third round of 2016 NFL Draft.

He may have struggled at times as a rookie, but his sophomore season was defined by marked improvement and universal praise for his play, from coaches, teammates and fans alike. After a season in which he finished with 55 tackles, 10 pass break ups, four interceptions and one forced fumble, Bleacher Report named him as the NFL's premier slot defender, edging out Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and Lions star Quandre Diggs for the honor.

Via Bleacher Report:

Our top slot defender this season, sophomore corner Kendall Fuller made a massive leap in performance from 2016. His much-improved balance and reaction time is a direct result of cleaner footwork in his backpedal off the line, and it helped him snag four interceptions and break up 10 passes. His run defense could stand to improve, especially since he has more length than most players at his position. The 22-year-old looks like the future face of the position after such a tremendous campaign. —NFL1000 DB Scout, Ian Wharton Perhaps the most impressive thing about Fuller's game in his second season is how many techniques he's mastered. When asked to play more aggressively, he gets his hand on the receiver to use him as a landmark and smoothly follows the receiver through the route. In zone coverage, he has the smooth backpedal and quick hip turn to stick and stay with receivers, as well as the recovery speed to race in and grab the football. He has the potential to be the best slot cornerback in the NFL, and one could argue that he was just that in 2017. —NFL1000 Lead Scout Doug Farrar

Fuller's ascension into the elite category was meteoric, and with Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau manning the outside positions, the Redskins secondary can finally become the security blanket that the defense has so longed for. His overall grade numbers were massively impressive for a position as difficult as slot cornerback, receiving high marks across the board.

Coverage: 19/20

Reaction: 25/30

Recovery: 20/25

Tackling: 9/15

Position Value: 8/10

Overall Grade: 81/100

Sadly, Fuller wasn't recognized with a Pro Bowl nomination of his own after his standout season, but if he continues on the same path, it will only be a matter of time until the rest of the NFL takes notice of what the Redskins have in the secondary.

One by one, opposing wide receivers certainly have.