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Redskins: Comparing Johnathan Hankins to the top nose tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants celebrates after sacking quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants celebrates after sacking quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants celebrates after sacking quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants celebrates after sacking quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Analyzing Johnathan Hankins as an option

Of all the players available on the free agent market, there may not be one who better fits what the Redskins need than Johnathan Hankins. Last offseason, the team did express some interest in him before he signed a three year deal with the Colts. Instead, the team elected to sign Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain to the roster and that has certainly backfired.

While McGee is a run stuffing specialist and McClain doesn’t fit in the 3-4 defense, Hankins would be an ideal fit in the defense and is a two-dimensional player. Hankins has 12 sacks during his five year career, but in his second year, he proved to be an excellent interior rusher and racked up seven sacks. Hankins can push the interior linemen, which is ideal for the nose tackle position in the Redskins defense. He doesn’t have to get a lot of sacks, but if he can create disruption inside, he will open up opportunities for the rush linebacker and Jonathan Allen to get to the quarterback.

Beyond this solid ability as a pass rusher, Hankins has been an upper level run stopper during his career. Last season, Hankins totaled 44 stops anchoring the middle of the Colts defense and he was really a strong, all-around player. That’s how he earned the No. 20 overall ranking for defensive linemen, per Pro Football Focus.

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Hankins would have a chance to continue his success in the Redskins defense. Hankins is only going to turn 26 on March 29, so Jim Tomsula will still be able to work with him and improve him. Given that Tomsula is arguably the best defensive line coach in football, Hankins could continue to get better and become an elite level nose tackle. It also helps that Hankins can play the end position in the 3-4 defense as well, so he will be versatile across all defensive fronts.

The only concern with Hankins is his monetary value. If there were no hold ups with money, Hankins likely would have joined the Redskins after his first visit. As it stands, he is still available, and he could be content to wait until late into free agency before signing a deal, as he did last year. A team with cap space will eventually offer him a contract, and it’s possible that the Redskins could be that team. But for now, they are trying to make smart, money-conscious decisions, and Hankins’ asking price might be too high.

That said, the Redskins may eventually budge and offer Hankins a bit more to join their team. Hankins would be a perfect fit, and if they can land him at $9 million a year, they will have a chance to field a very competitive defensive unit. For that reason, Hankins remains a quality option for the team.

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