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Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: Where Khaleke Hudson makes the biggest impact

By Jacob Camenker

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 16: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammates and the Paul Bunyan Trophy after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 44-10 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 16: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammates and the Paul Bunyan Trophy after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 44-10 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets is tackled by Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Redskins in the second half at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets is tackled by Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Redskins in the second half at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

How Hudson fits with the Redskins

Hudson’s best role as a rookie with the Redskins will probably be as a core special teams player. He could factor into the linebacker battle, but in a crowded room, it’s tough to know who will emerge.

There are a lot of options for the Redskins to consider in the linebacker corps. Thomas Davis and Jon Bostic are two veteran options for the squad. Cole Holcomb and Shaun Dion Hamilton are in their second and third seasons respectively and while both have upside, they are also unproven.

Kevin Pierre-Louis was signed in free agency after an impressive season as a spot starter and special teams player with the Chicago Bears. And while Ryan Anderson and Nate Orchard are better served as rush linebackers in a 3-4 scheme, they could challenge for playing time at the SAM linebacker position… if Jack Del Rio doesn’t have them compete in more of an edge rushing role.

This doesn’t even factor in Reuben Foster (injured but could return at some point in 2020), Josh Harvey-Clemons, and Jared Norris. There are no shortage of options for the team.

Right now, I think that Bostic and Davis should be favored as starters at the MIKE and WILL positions respectively. The SAM spot is up for grabs, but Holcomb or Hamilton should be on the field to start the season.  From there, it’s all about earning a backup job.

If I were Rivera and Del Rio, I would have Hudson active on game days and treat him as a backup SAM linebacker. He may not be the top option off the bench, but given that the SAM plays closer to the line of scrimmage and has more pass rushing opportunities, that figures to be his best position at the next level. He doesn’t have the requisite size for that position, but he does have the skills needed to make an impact.

At the end of the day, I think Hudson mostly plays special teams and sees sparing action on defense if all goes right in 2020. Maybe in the future, he will have an impact on the defense. But he needs a bit more time to develop at linebacker after playing a plethora of roles during his time at Michigan.

No matter how you look at it, though, Hudson is a quality pickup. He’ll upgrade special teams, bare minimum. And he has the upside needed to eventually factor into the linebacking corps. It’s just about improving in his weaker areas, challenging some of the veterans, and figuring out exactly how he fits in.

Redskins vs. Giants 2020 comparison. dark. Next

Perhaps by 2021, Hudson will be in the mix for a starting job, especially considering that Davis and Pierre-Louis are free agents after this season. But for now, a backup role seems to suit him best.

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