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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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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 08: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 08: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Linebacker examination, pt. 3

The team’s 2020 fifth-round draft pick Khaleke Hudson is a specialty player. At 5-11, 220, he is undersized for a traditional linebacker role. But his speed and power are reminiscent of the last hybrid linebacker/safety for whom the Redskins had high hopes. That would be Su’a Cravens.

Cravens had issues with his desire to play football which ended his Redskins career almost before it began. There do not appear to be any similar red flags with Hudson. I expect Jack Dl Rio will find creative ways to employ Hudson in nickel and dime packages.

One of the first roster moves Ron Rivera made after being hired was to sign Jared Norris, who had been a special teamer and backup linebacker for several seasons in Carolina. That may give Norris a small leg up in the competition for the final linebacker spot. But at this point, it would appear he is dependent on injury or subpar performances by one or two others in order to grab up a roster spot.

Like Anderson, Norris is a limited athlete who was productive in college but has never stood out during his pro career.

The player Norris would likely have to beat out is Kevin Pierre-Louis. Both look to provide outside backer depth and solid special teams play. But Pierre-Louis is a faster, stronger player who, after bouncing around the league for several years, showed good progress when given a chance to play in Chicago last year. Like Hamilton, Pierre-Louis could step into a starting role should one of the front-line players falter.

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