How the Redskins linebacker corps looks with Foster cleared

Shaun Dion Hamilton

To date, Hamilton’s career has been held back by injuries. It was the reason he was a sixth-round pick. His replacement (Rashaan Evans) went 22nd overall. Despite his past injuries, Hamilton was the signal caller for two championship defenses. He was named a captain during his senior year.

Long story short, the man has some talent as a field general. Hamilton may have all the physical tools to be a serviceable linebacker at the NFL level, but it is his cerebral abilities that should excite fans. Middle linebacker play isn’t just about your personal play after the snap; it’s about pre-snap reads and putting the talent around you in the best possible place to succeed.

Hamilton is a brain on wheels. He was his high school’s valedictorian, and his intelligence is the first thing mentioned by former coaches. Hamilton has also shown to be a strong athlete when healthy. He may not have quite Zach Brown’s speed, but he’s still better in coverage. Hamilton has also shown the ability to play behind the line of scrimmage. When the hole opens up in one of his gaps; he is quick to fill.

Brown may have been great at this too, but had a tendency to force splash plays, often leaving him out of position. Splash plays tend to make you a fan favorite, but if they are followed by two missed assignments because you were trying to work outside of your role, it can infuriate coaches.

Hamilton is the opposite of Brown in this regard. He is an extremely disciplined player with the ability to make the plays that are his to make. His intelligence also gives him the ability to run the defense, replacing Mason Foster and allowing Reuben to replace Brown. Mason Foster may be a high motor sure tackler, but his lack of coverage ability and limitations in space needed to be addressed. This allows Mason to take a more suitable position as one of the best backups in the league at both inside linebacker positions.