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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) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Shaun Dion Hamilton #51 of the Washington Redskins lines up against the Detroit Lions during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Shaun Dion Hamilton #51 of the Washington Redskins lines up against the Detroit Lions during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Linebacker examination, pt. 2

Shaun Dion Hamilton is a versatile, athletic young veteran who could take a big step up this year and become a solid starter on the outside. He is already a fine special teams player and was involved in a number of defensive packages last season. Hamilton is one of the players who could earn himself a prominent role on the defense.

Josh Harvey-Clemons is a jack-of-all-trades on defense. He has very good size and moves well. However, he has not been productive in his three seasons. Harvey-Clemons is a converted college safety who has the physical tools to at least garner a look at multiple linebacking positions. It could be that a new coaching staff and the switch to a new defensive alignment is just what Harvey-Clemons needs because so far, he has not made much of an impression.

Cole Holcomb played well as a rookie in 2019. He lined up inside in the 3-4, and showed his athleticism and instincts from his very first game. He could easily move to the outside this year. He also could challenge Bostic in the middle. Either way, Holcomb, will be on the field a lot in 2020.

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Thomas Davis has a long history with Ron Rivera from their Carolina days. Five years ago, Davis was among the best linebackers in all of football. The question is what he has left at age 37. In 2019, he defied that age and was very productive for the Chargers.

Ideally, Davis would give way to a player like Hamilton, and serve as a mentor to the rest of the young linebackers, while providing steady play when called on. I suspect that he will begin the year as the starter. If he is still starting by the end, that means his body has held up (great), and that none of the younger guys has seized the job (not so great).

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