Why the Redskins should consider going after edge rusher Bruce Irvin

The Oakland Raiders elected to part ways with Bruce Irvin after their loss to the 49ers. Should the Redskins consider going after the veteran pass rusher?

If you asked fans what the biggest strength of the team’s defense was coming into the season, most would have said the pass rush. And if you asked them to break it down further, they probably would have said it was specifically the edge rush. This season, the pass rush has still been strong, but it has really been the interior line that has carried the team.

So far this season, Ryan Kerrigan has been solid off the edge and generated a lot of pressure. After a slower start to the year, Kerrigan has racked up 4.5 sacks in his last four games and has looked great doing so. However, across from him, Preston Smith hasn’t notched a sack yet and has been decent at best as a result.

Behind those two, the ‘Skins have a couple of nice backups in Ryan Anderson and Pernell McPhee. However, both have been better against the run and while Anderson has shown physicality as an edge rusher, he still isn’t anything better than average in that area.

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With all that said, it’s possible that the Redskins could consider adding someone to play on the edge. They don’t necessarily need anyone, but if a solid edge became available, I wouldn’t rule them out as a potential destination.

On Saturday, a solid edge player did become available. That would be Bruce Irvin. The Raiders waived him after an embarrassing Thursday night loss to the 49ers. Irvin is now on waivers, and he’s definitely someone the Redskins should at least consider adding.

Irvin has been best as a rotational pass rusher during his NFL career. He has great athletic ability and speed, and he has logged 40 sacks through 7.5 seasons in the league, and he has logged 3.0 sacks this year despite playing just 48 percent of the team’s stats and being the top pass rusher on the team. On a team with better pass rushers, his production could rise a bit.

For the Redskins, Irvin would come in and be a solid third pass rusher thanks to his speed. He would bring a different skill set than both Anderson and McPhee off the bench, and you can truly never have enough pass rushing weapons on any team. The only catch is that the team may have to take on the $4 million remaining on contract for this season if they claimed him on waivers. So, that will be brought into consideration.

That said, adding Irvin could be smart. He’s a solid player and if the ‘Skins could get him, that would mean no other NFC contenders would have him on the roster. And at this point in the Divisional and Wild Card races, that could be important.

To add Irvin to the roster, Washington could consider parting with Kenny Ladler. Ladler is now the fifth safety in the wake of the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix trade, so they may be able to stash him on the practice squad. Jehu Chesson would be the other option to waive, but he may be needed on the roster as the receiving corps continues to be banged up.

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Irvin joining the Redskins is far from a guarantee, but it would make sense. He’s a good pass rusher and could definitely play a role for the squad. It will be interesting to see where he lands and whether or not Washington has any interest in adding him — even if they don’t ultimately end up getting him.

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