Breaking down the Redskins’ defensive line for the 2020 season
By Jonathan Eig
Defensive Tackles
On Roster: Jonathan Allen, Caleb Brantley, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne, Tim Settle
Projected Starters: Allen, Payne
If you believe the old baseball adage about defensive strength starting up the middle, then you have to love the Redskins in 2020. This is the strongest position group on the team.
The move to the 4-3 means that Allen and Ioannidis, who lined up both inside and outside last year, will primarily be moving inside this year. But both have the flexibility play the end, should the need arise, or if Del Rio just wants to mess with opposing tackles. Imagine trying to block Montez Sweat for three quarters only to look up and see Jonathan Allen – 40 pounds heavier and almost as fast – standing across from you. The flexibility offered by the these two is one of the biggest strengths of this line, and also another reason Ryan Kerrigan’s job could be in jeopardy.
Payne and Allen should form a classic interior. Both are big enough to plug up the middle. Both are athletic enough to collapse the pocket and set up the outside rushers for success. And both are still young and growing as players. Allen has mostly avoided the injury problems that caused him to fall to the Redskins in the first place.
In Ioannidis, Settle, and Brantley, the Redskins have three very capable backups. I expect Ioannidis to be on the field quite a bit at various positions, while Settle and Brantley should provide fresh legs whenever needed. All five players should make the roster, joined by 4-5 defensive ends. Ten linemen may seem high, and I expect the final count to be nine, but it is worth noting that Ron Rivera did keep ten linemen on his Carolina roster from time to time.
Next. Breaking down Redskins fifth-round rookie Keith Ismael. dark
Improvement at quarterback, solidifying the offensive line, health in the secondary – these things will all have major impacts on the Redskins’ success in 2020. But it all rests on the foundation of a dominant defensive line. It is the one area in which the Redskins must excel. If they do, any team with a dominant defensive line can compete and win.