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Redskins: 5 most underappreciated players on the roster

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Linebacker Mason Foster #54 of the Washington Redskins reacts after recovering a fumble in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Linebacker Mason Foster #54 of the Washington Redskins reacts after recovering a fumble in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

3. LB Mason Foster

This pick may surprise some. After all, Foster had some issues last year, including some run-ins on social media, but we’re focusing on his on-field impact. Let’s take a step back and look at what Mason Foster can offer as a player.

Foster is one of the Redskins’ better tacklers. He had 131 stops last season and he played in almost all of the defensive snaps for the team (98.2 percent). He’s an excellent two-down run stopper and can certainly be relied on in that role.

Foster is also a leader for the team, and he served as their defensive captain in 2018. He is respected in the locker room, so that’s another element that he brings to the game.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

While Foster isn’t the same player he once was in coverage, it won’t matter for the team in the upcoming season. The Redskins will probably look to use Foster as a two-down role player at the most. They can use him on early downs and alternate him with guys like Josh Harvey-Clemons to ensure that he won’t get exposed if he has to cover tight ends. And even if he does do that in limited action, he can still make some plays. The problem is he just can’t do it consistently but was asked to do that last year.

There have been some who have opined that the ‘Skins should move on from Foster because of his eroding coverage skills. That view is short-sighted. Foster can still be a great role player as a run stopper and a leader for the defense. That’s two things that this young unit may desperately need.

If Foster can play rotationally with Harvey-Clemons or Cole Holcomb, that may help to further replace the injured Reuben Foster this season. And if Jon Bostic emerges to take the starting role next to Shaun Dion Hamilton, Foster still has a place as a high-level run defender backup and a special teams player. He hasn’t gotten as much love as he has deserved for his play in recent seasons, and while he’s no longer the solid three-down player he once was, there certainly is a place for him on this team.

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