Redskins DT Caleb Brantley striving to be next member of ‘Alabama Wall’

The Washington Redskins are now just a few days into training camp in Richmond, VA.  While ‘Alabama Wall’ members Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, along with Matt Ioannidis, are expected to be highly productive in 2019, Caleb Brantley will be an intriguing player to keep an eye on along the defensive line.

There have been several players that have stood out early in training camp for the Washington Redskins, as noted by team insiders, including WR Trey Quinn, CB Jimmy Moreland, OLB Montez Sweat, DT Jonathan Allen, and TE Jordan Reed.  Players that have not performed well so far in camp are OT Ereck Flowers and anybody else that has stood in for camp holdout Trent Williams at the left tackle position.

A player that has not been talked about enough so far in training camp is Redskins DT Caleb Brantley.  While ‘Alabama Wall’ members Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis get all the notoriety along the defensive line (and deservedly so), Caleb Brantley will be an intriguing player to keep an eye on as camp progresses.

Caleb Brantley was signed by the Redskins after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns before Week 1 of the 2018 season.  The Browns drafted him out of the University of Florida in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.  While being drafted in the sixth round for most might mean their abilities may be limited at the next level, that does not apply for Caleb Brantley.  He fell in the draft after being accused of misdemeanor battery right before the draft was to be held.  The talented, yet unproven Brantley has been since cleared of charges from that case.

According the Caleb Brantley’s NFL Draft profile from 2017 on NFL.com, his player comparison was none other than Los Angeles Rams all-world DT Aaron Donald.  Aaron Donald has been a highly-decorated player since being drafted by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.  He has been selected to 5 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pro Teams, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.  With Brantley entering his year three season in 2019, he is not expected to be Aaron Donald.  The former Gator can aspire to be like current teammate Matt Ioannidis.  Ioannidis finished his year three season in 2018 with 7.5 sacks.

Caleb Brantley had a shaky start to his career as a Washington Redskin in 2018, as he only played in seven games and recorded one tackle.  During his rookie year in Cleveland, when the Browns finished 0-16, Brantley played in 12 games, starting just one.  He was able to accumulate 18 tackles and 2.0 sacks.  Brantley had a tough time getting into the lineup in 2018 after he was picked up by Washington, but has already caught the eye of his position coach Jim Tomsula in this year’s training camp.  Per Peter Hailey from NBCS Washington after training camp day 2:

"Caleb Brantley had his moments as well, which is encouraging; if he’s a viable option in that rotation like Jim Tomsula believes he will be, that would make an already deep unit even deeper."

Caleb Brantley has had the talent to produce since he has entered the NFL.  He does not have the production thus far in his career, but his strength and quickness off the ball shows in his college and pro highlights.  The question all talented young players have to answer for themselves is how hard are they willing to work, and what can they do when given the opportunity?

Redskins fans should hope that with a defensive line coach like Jim Tomsula, and a demanding leader in teammate Jonathan Allen, that Brantley will take his game to the next level and become the next member of the ‘Alabama Wall.’  If he can live up to his Aaron Donald comparison, then the Redskins may have something special on their hands.  Either way, coach Tomsula believes Brantley can be a useful option on a productive unit, and that is something the young defensive tackle can hope to accomplish in his second season with the Redskins.