Washington Redskins Training Camp Profile: ILB Jon Bostic

Bostic’s main competition

Bostic is a new addition, but as a veteran, he should have an edge over fifth-round rookie Cole Holcomb. Josh Harvey-Clemons is a tougher opponent; the third-year player has good upside as a hybrid linebacker, and was working his way onto the field more often in 2018. Bostic should edge him out with experience, however, as Harvey-Clemons has yet to truly latch on.

Mason Foster will likely be given one of the team’s two starting spots, due to his extensive experience in the team’s system, so Bostic’s closest competitor figures to be second-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton. Hamilton has the on-field I.Q. to quickly eclipse Bostic’s experience, and he has better physical traits as well. Here’s more on Hamilton from a piece written earlier in the offseason.

"It’s exciting when Hamilton’s physical traits flash, because he’s already a very smart player. Per SB Nation’s Alex Kirshner, the coaches at Alabama trusted Hamilton to receive calls from the sideline and align the defense accordingly. He was the defense’s leader, and his mental prowess shows up on tape. While there are hiccups, as there always are with young players, he’s very quick to diagnose momentum shifts in a play, and this allows him to quickly flip his hips and start pursuit. He’s a team player who always displays very solid communication skills and effort on the field, and if he can stay healthy in the NFL, he can easily exceed his draft status."

It’ll likely come down to Hamilton and Bostic for the second starting slot. If Bostic shows more polish mentally, then the Redskins might opt to give him the job over Hamilton. But if Hamilton shows more promise, as he did last season, it would be wise to give him the opportunity, and let him run with it. Bostic, at this point, might be better as a depth player than a starter. He’ll compete for the job. But if he wins it, the honeymoon period won’t last forever.