Washington Redskins Unheralded Players: DL Tavaris Barnes

In previous years, the Washington Redskins’ defensive line has been the perfect place for unheralded players to show their worth.

The Washington Redskins admittedly hadn’t made a point out of addressing the line until fairly recently, and before they did, their line, for better or worse, was the place where lesser known players gained the opportunities they needed to shine.

Phil Taylor nearly rose back to the starting ranks through this perennial inefficiency, and Ziggy Hood and Anthony Lanier also found ways to stick amidst competition of lesser intrigue.

Those kinds of players, however, will find it much more challenging to climb through the ranks this year. Over the past two years, the Washington Redskins recollected their common sense and bolstered their defensive line rotation, adding and developing key contributors such as Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne, and the aforementioned Anthony Lanier.

With Tim Settle in tow as well, and with both Stacy McGee and Ziggy Hood vying for the sixth spot as solid depth options, the Washington Redskins suddenly don’t have much room on the defensive line for under-the-radar players. That said, Jim Tomsula has shown he can coach anyone up. And if a player has the necessary traits, he could rise above the competition.

It’s far from a guarantee, but a chance could be all Tavaris Barnes needs. Barnes has some traits, but he’ll need to make the most of this offseason, as well as his association with Jim Tomsula, to make it work. Nevertheless, this Unheralded Player is more than training camp fodder. With a proper chance, he could be a part of the Washington Redskins’ scary defensive front.