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Redskins: A look at who may be the odd man out on the defensive line

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws an imcomplete pass to Alshon Jeffery #17 against Stacy McGee #92 and Junior Galette #58 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws an imcomplete pass to Alshon Jeffery #17 against Stacy McGee #92 and Junior Galette #58 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Stacy McGee

During the 2017 offseason, the Redskins had supposedly fixed the problems that they had on the ground. They did this by adding Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee in free agency. Both were supposed to help the run defense to improve as they profiled as solid run stuffers.

In 2017, the results from McClain and McGee were mixed. The former lacked the fit to be productive in the 3-4 scheme, and he was quickly pushed out of the Washington rotation. McGee filled more of a role with the defense, and he went on to have a decent season.

McGee provided exactly what he was brought in for: help in the run game. He totaled 44 combined tackles during the season and was generally solid on early downs. He played most of the season as a starter and on the team’s starting front, he was the primary run stuffer. And in that role, he was good.

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However, McGee offered virtually nothing as a pass rusher, which was to be expected. McGee is more of a big bodied, strong player than anything else. He doesn’t have great quickness or speed or athleticism. He’s a 6-foot-3, 341 pound man who eats up space. And that’s what he focuses on doing.

McGee is a better fit in a 4-3 defense, as he fits more naturally at the nose tackle in that scheme. He doesn’t have a natural fit in the Redskins 3-4 front, and that’s why he played mostly end. It was close to how he’d fit in a 4-3, but not quite the same. This lack of a perfect fit could cause the team to part with him sooner than many thought, but it’s possible that he could end up being a casualty.

It’s also worth noting that McGee has the most money remaining on his contract, and if the Redskins parted with him, they would take a dead money hit. That may encourage the team to keep him around for another season, even if he’s only an average performer, as they have an out after the second year of the contract.

With McGee, you now what you’re getting. A run stuffer with little upside at this point in his career. He is still a fine rotational piece and if the Redskins decide they need to keep him to help with the run defense, it would be a sensible move. But still, he is firmly on the bubble.

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