Washington Redskins pre-2018 NFL Draft roster analysis
By Ian Cummings
Defensive Interior
Starting Rotation: Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Anthony Lanier
Nose Tackles: Phil Taylor, Ondre Pipkins, Montori Hughes
Reserves: Stacy McGee, Terrell McClain, Ziggy Hood, A.J. Francis, Tavaris Barnes
Our defensive line rotation, when healthy, is scary. A common misconception, made worse and worse by overreaction to meaningless stats, is that your defensive line is once again in need of a first-round makeover. This simply isn’t true. And if Johnathan Hankins ends up signing with Washington, then this notion will only be reinforced.
Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioannidis were one of the better tandems in football in the first five weeks of the season. In pass defense, Allen would man the double teams, and Ioannidis would bull doze his man in one-on-one. And in run defense, both players would use their strength and size to hold their own in the middle, buying enough time for other players to come to support.
With Anthony Lanier exploding off the block like he did late in the 2017 season (5.0 sacks in the team’s final six games), the Washington Redskins have to feel fairly confident in their starting rotation. All players are young. And under the tutelage of Jim Tomsula, it can be assumed that all players will continue to improve, especially Lanier, as he came into the NFL with the lowest floor.
Rumors: Is Vita Vea to the Washington Redskins a done deal?
The Washington Redskins made it work without a true nose tackle. They made it work well with Allen and Ioannidis. According to Ben Standing of Redskins Capital Connection, the Washington Redskins, in the first five weeks of the 2017 season, when they had both Allen sand Ioannidis in the starting lineup, gave up just 88 rushing yards per game, compared to the unfortunate figure they accumulated later on.
With those three players healthy and improving, and with players such as Stacy McGee, Phil Taylor, and A.J. Francis providing depth, the Washington Redskins ultimately don’t need to spend a first round pick on a defensive lineman. If they want to draft based on potential, and add Taven Bryan to the rotation, then that is an option. But if they want a nose tackle, a player who can help elevate the run defense that gets so much criticism for being limited by injuries, then they should look later on, in Rounds 2 through 7. There are plenty of options there. Want names? Check out my defensive lineman value rankings.