Washington Redskins Training Camp Profile: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton

Washington Redskins linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton is entering his second NFL season, and with the recent news of the release of veteran LB Mason Foster, Hamilton is expected to be a prime contributor to a hopefully improved Redskins defense.

Shaun Dion Hamilton is entering his second season with the Washington Redskins, and in 2019 the former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide must build on what he accomplished in the 2018 season if the Redskins hope to build a formidable defense.

Before the recent news of the release of veteran LB Mason Foster, Hamilton had high expectations considering the Redskins already lost LB Reuben Foster to a devastating knee injury in OTAs.  Fast track to now, and the loss of both inside linebackers leaves a glaring hole, on a defense that is eager to prove it is not the same one that was so inconsistent in 2018.

The up-and-coming linebacker Hamilton finished last year playing in all 16 games, starting just four.  He recorded 27 tackles, 19 of which were solo, along with 1.5 sacks.  While he doesn’t have the experience of Mason or the athleticism of Rueben, he does have some pretty big shoes to fill, at least statistically.

Mason Foster finished his up-and-down 2018 season with an impressive 131 total tackles to go with two interceptions and one sack.  If Hamilton can accomplish something even similar to that it in year two, it would be an incredible achievement considering his rookie year production.  However, he must not focus on being Mason Foster; rather, he must create his own path in becoming a leader on a unit that arguably features an increase in talent coming into 2019.

Shaun Dion Hamilton has all the traits a team would want, which is why he should be able to contribute to the defense in 2019.  During his time at Alabama, he was voted permanent team captain in 2017, and has been a part of two college football National Championship teams.  Although the 23-year old linebacker is a bit undersized at 6-foot-0, 235, he seemed to display a solid understanding of the defense in 2018, even though his time starting was limited.

New Redskins ILB coach Rob Ryan will have a challenging job as training camp begins with a young and inexperienced linebacker corps.  LB Jon Bostic was signed as a free agent when Reuben Foster went down, and the Redskins are now counting on Bostic, Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Cole Holcomb, and others to fill the void left behind.  The aforementioned Bostic has been on multiple teams throughout his brief NFL career as a former second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2013.

If Shaun Dion Hamilton can acclimate quickly in becoming an effective full-time starting inside linebacker, then the Redskins defense should be ready to start strong in 2019.  If he cannot, the organization will undoubtedly seek another veteran inside linebacker prior to the Week 1 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.