Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Grading Redskins deals from day one of NFL’s legal tampering period

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys crosses the goal line for a touchdown as linebacker Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Football Team tries to stop him during second half action against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys won the game 31-21. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys crosses the goal line for a touchdown as linebacker Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Football Team tries to stop him during second half action against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys won the game 31-21. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys crosses the goal line for a touchdown as linebacker Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins tries to stop him during second half action against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys won the game 31-21. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys crosses the goal line for a touchdown as linebacker Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins tries to stop him during second half action against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys won the game 31-21. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

LB Jon Bostic

Bostic was a late addition to the Redskins roster at the beginning of 2019 training camp. He replaced Mason Foster as a veteran option for the team and he found a lot of success in Washington.

In his lone season with the ‘Skins, Bostic put together the most productive season of his career. He logged 105 tackles, an interception, and a sack in his role as a starting linebacker next to Cole Holcomb. Bostic was far better as a run stopper and downhill playmaker than he was in coverage, but he proved that he can still be a strong role player at the NFL level.

The Redskins rewarded the soon-to-be 29-year-old with a two-year deal worth $6 million total. That will bring him back and he will be the presumptive starter at the middle linebacker in their new 4-3 alignment, presumably next to Holcomb again and Shaun Dion Hamilton, unless Reuben Foster can somehow get healthy before the season.

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Bostic’s contract is about on-par with what solid role-playing linebackers make at the NFL level. It’s a slight raise from the $2.5 million he made last season and he’ll be paid a little less than what Patrick Onwuasor, another serviceable starter at linebacker, was paid last season. That’s a pretty solid deal for both sides.

By keeping Bostic, the Redskins are retaining depth at one of their weakest positions. They still need help at linebacker, but they could still be in position to add one of the top available players at the position even after adding Bostic. If they decide they want to spend up for Cory Littleton, they could do it.

Either way, the Bostic signing is a solid one. The only concern is that he’s a better fit for a 3-4 defense than a 4-3. But at this price, he’s only being paid like a depth player anyway. And if he can find success like he did last season, he could turn into a bargain for the ‘Skins.

Grade for Redskins signing Bostic: B

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