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Redskins: Why Zach Brown’s re-signing was the best move the Redskins could have made

By Jacob Camenker

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 2: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a jump cut to try and avoid the tackle attempt of inside linebacker Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images )
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 2: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a jump cut to try and avoid the tackle attempt of inside linebacker Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images ) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a catch during the first quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a catch during the first quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Linebacker is no longer a need in the draft

Because both of the starters at linebacker, Brown and Mason Foster, returned for the next two years at least, the Redskins aren’t going to need to add a linebacker in the draft.

In addition to the starters, the team already has some young talent in former seventh round pick Josh Harvey-Clemons, who flashed at times as a rookie, and Zach Vigil, a man who was cut before the 2017 season but was re-signed and showed excellent tackling ability. Also, the team has Martrell Spaight, who flashed at times last year, but has been inconsistent. That trio should do enough to fill in backup roles behind Brown and Foster, so now the team doesn’t need to take a linebacker.

If Brown had left, the team would have had major holes in the middle of their defense. The first, and still, foremost need, would come at the nose tackle position, where the team has long lacked an interior presence. But if Brown was gone too, the team would have to add two starters to their front seven, which might have created a conflict in the first round.

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Had the team needed a linebacker and defensive tackle in the first round, they might have been forced to make a tough decision. With the No. 13 pick, the Redskins would have likely had to choose either a nose tackle like Da’Ron Payne or Vita Vea, or a linebacker like Roquan Smith. While Payne and Vea would have been solid options, Smith might have been the only player who could have adequately replaced Brown from day one.

The bigger point about this is that the Redskins now are in position to take a nose tackle in Round 1 and use their other six picks to fill needs. With linebacker no longer being a need, options are more open in the draft, so the team could address running back, get a developmental quarterback, and then focus on adding the best available players later. That will be big for the team as they look to get back to the playoffs.

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