Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Breaking down the Washington Redskins’ linebackers for 2020

By Jonathan Eig

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Linebacker examination, pt. 1

Ryan Anderson is the biggest linebacker the Redskins have, and with his hard-hitting style, he would appear to be the most likely player to patrol the middle. But Anderson does not have the athleticism typically found in a middle linebacker.

Looking back at his scouting reports coming out of Alabama, it was easy to see why many had high hopes for Anderson. He was very productive at the highest level of college ball. He had size and by all accounts, an excellent work ethic. But his raw numbers revealed potential trouble.

As James Dorsett detailed back in 2017, Anderson is a below-average athlete when compared to NFL players. He has neither the speed nor the strength to overpower NFL blockers. Though he has not been a disaster in his three years with the ‘Skins, Anderson has never lived up to his second round draft status, and it has become increasingly obvious that he doesn’t really have an ideal position fit, especially in the 4-3.

More from Riggo's Rag

Anderson is likely to stick as a backup and special teamer. This could well be his make or break year, and I am not optimistic he will show enough to be any more than a backup.

There may be no more underappreciated player on the Redskins than Jon Bostic. He is not yet 30, but somehow it seems as if he has been around forever. He is a good athlete, but somehow he doesn’t seem as explosive as the younger guys he has had to contend with throughout his career. All he does is provide steady inside play and make tackles.

That’s likely good enough for him to be the Redskins’ starting middle linebacker this year. At least until some younger player takes the job away from him.

Ideally, that someone would be Reuben Foster. I have already written extensively about Foster. Though a bit undersized, he is the closest thing the Redskins have to a prototypical middle linebacker, and if he could stay healthy, he could provide a major spark for an already solid defense. But his health will always be a question mark.

Foster missed all of last season with a knee injury, and has been on and off the field throughout his three year career. I do not count on Foster to be available this season.

Home/Commanders News