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Breaking down the Redskins edge rusher depth chart for 2019

By Ian Cummings

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins reacts after sacking Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins reacts after sacking Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals avoids an attempted tackle by Marcus Smith II #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals avoids an attempted tackle by Marcus Smith II #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Redskins 2019 reserves at edge rusher

Marquis Flowers, Cassanova McKinzy, Marcus Smith II, and Andrew Ankrah

All four of these players are reserve types, and thus, they’re on the outside looking in, when it comes to battling for a roster.

Marquis Flowers has the best chance to stick around; the former Arizona Wildcats standout is an impressive athlete, and he’s carved out a respectable career as a versatile backup and special teamer in the NFL. He played the most for the Patriots in 2017, providing flexibility at linebacker. And at just 27 years old, this Unheralded Player has some modest upside to go along with his NFL experience, making him the top reserve by a safe margin.

Behind Flowers, there’s Cassanova McKinzy, the relatively un-athletic edge rusher who feigned bend last season on one play by falling to the ground below a lineman’s block, and notching a sack on a play that was negated by a penalty. Like Flowers, he has experience, albeit limited, but he also has the most time with the team under his belt, which could count for something, especially if he shows out in preseason.

Marcus Smith II and Andrew Ankrah are both intriguing players, but neither has a great chance at making the Redskins roster. Smith will get more attention, because of his background; he’s a former first-round pick with the Eagles who has crumbled in the NFL. A good athlete for his size, Smith was too raw to fend for himself upon entering the league, and his development was stunted by inconsistent use. He’s totaled 6.5 sacks over the course of his disappointing career, and while he could surprise and steal a roster spot, he faces an uphill battle, with modest upside and no record of cohesive progression.

Next. Breaking down the Redskins defensive interior for 2019. dark

Ankrah is the most unfounded of the group; he went undrafted in 2018 after a solid career with the James Madison Dukes, and he went on to play in the AAF, where he logged three sacks in eight games, earning an offseason tryout with the Redskins. At 6-foot-3, 240, he’s a bit undersized, but he has the chance to prove he belongs. Of course, all of these players may need to convince the Redskins to keep a fifth edge rusher, if they want to remain.

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