Washington Redskins 2017 X-Factors: S D.J. Swearinger
By Ian Cummings
As mentioned earlier, Swearinger has all the attributes one looks for in a starting safety. Everything checks out.
He’s been a regular at voluntary workouts, and if he continues to work hard, and build a rapport with his teammates, we should see massive improvement from 2016. It won’t be hard to improve from last year, but the evidence suggests that the Redskins won’t just poke their heads above the water. They could be headed for higher heights.
It all starts and ends with Swearinger. If the X-Factor fails to contribute, then the Redskins not only lose the chemistry he provides, but they also revert to plugging the hole at free safety with temporary, over-the-hill solutions.
The separate levels of the defense all supplement one another. If Swearinger can’t help on a consistent basis, then the domino effect goes in motion. Cravens will be put on an island, as will the other cornerbacks. The linebackers’ decisions on play action will carry more weight, and the defensive line will have less time to rush.
Next: Top ten greatest Redskins QBs of all time
Swearinger is undoubtedly an important cog in the Redskins’ plan to rejuvenate the defense. And there’s reason to believe that he’ll pull through for the burgundy and gold. He has the athleticism to compete in the back end, and his mentality, along with Josh Norman’s fiery spirit, will help mold the Redskins’ secondary into a competitive force. It’s a task only an X-Factor can accomplish. Luckily for the Redskins, D.J. Swearinger is one X-Factor who’s up for the challenge.