How the Redskins linebacker corps looks with Foster cleared
Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson has received a bad rap from fans, but I don’t think it is particularly merited. It started when Washington drafted him higher than expected in the 2017 draft. Many scouts saw him as more of a third to fourth round pick. Many Redskins fans were immediately disappointed. He then would deal with injury and lack of playing time over his first two seasons. Due to his second round status, he has all but been labeled a bust before getting a chance.
Teammates and coaches don’t seem to see it that way. Many teammates have sung his praises over the past few years. Jay Gruden spoke as if Ryan would most likely be given a chance to start this year, and spoke of him with confidence.
The lack of trust in Anderson would be more warranted if it were based in a lack of quality play, but it’s based in previous opinion and lack of statistics. Anderson played quite well in spot duty last year. His Pro Football Focus rating was an impressive 86.8, 10 points higher than Preston Smith’s.
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Ryan Anderson is one of my players to watch in 2019. He is an extremely disciplined player who is rarely out of position and is strong in run support. Look for him to surprise some people in his first starting season with 5.0-8.0 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He’s not an elite NFL talent, but with elite talent up front across the board for Washington, they need hard-working, high motor, lunch pail players. despite a lack of freakish athleticism, he always seems to complete his assignment and comes up with a few splash plays of his own.
He may not be the freakish speed rusher that many teams covet, but maybe Washington could bring in a speed rusher to be a perfect complement to starters Kerrigan and Anderson. Maybe Junior Galette could make sense.