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Linebacker the Redskins biggest need as they transition to 4-3 defense

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Linebacker Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team tackles running back Jon Hilliman #23 of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Linebacker Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team tackles running back Jon Hilliman #23 of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins have some holes to fill switching to the 4-3 defense. But their biggest need comes at the linebacker spot.

For the 2020 season, the Washington Redskins will be switching to a 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Ron Rivera and Del Rio will attempt to rework the defense as they look to find the success that afforded the duo opportunities to find success with the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos respectively.

In order to effectively run the 4-3, the Redskins do have some needs to fill. On defense, they really need to add some help in the secondary at safety and corner. And on the front line, they need some extra depth and may draft a dynamic pass rusher (like Chase Young) to pair with Montez Sweat long term.

But of all the needs the team has on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker is the biggest. The team has some talent at the position, but there are more questions than answers when trying to fill three linebacker spots.

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Cole Holcomb is probably the most promising of the Redskins linebackers as the rookie showed off his athletic ability in a starting role next to Jon Bostic last year. He should continue to start next year and is probably best suited to play the weakside (WILL) position.

Aside from that, though, the Redskins don’t have clear starters. Reuben Foster just recently regained feeling in his foot after suffering multiple ligament tears during the 2019 offseason. He may not be healthy for the 2020 season as a result, so the team has to have a contigency plan for him.

Elsewhere, Bostic is hitting free agency, so the team will need to re-sign him. Ryan Anderson may be asked to play a new position as the stand-up strongside (SAM) linebacker. He’s a bit of a positional tweener in the 4-3 scheme and while he may pan out as the SAM, the team has to have a backup option just in case.

Shaun Dion Hamilton played in sub packages for the Redskins last year and was effective. He could fight for a starting spot, but can he play the middle linebacker (MIKE) spot? Or will the Redskins need to find another option to start there?

No matter how you look at it, the Redskins have four role players on the team, if Foster is healthy, as well as special teams ace Josh Harvey-Clemons. That won’t be enough to hold the fort at linebacker. The Redskins need to focus on adding some potential starters at the position, but they’ll also need some players to compete for depth roles with the team as well.

The Redskins should explore adding a starting linebacker in free agency without a doubt. Guys like Cory Littleton, Joe Schobert, Blake Martinez, and Nick Kwiatkoski would all be good fits. So too could Bostic if they decide to re-sign him.

Next. Why extending Quinton Dunbar should be a priority. dark

And expect the ‘Skins to add some guys in the draft as well to ensure they have enough talent at the position to get by as they make the switch to the 4-3 defense.

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