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Redskins Roster Projection: Team loads up in the trenches

By Jacob Camenker

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington football team waits to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Washington 24 to 9. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington football team waits to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Washington 24 to 9. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/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) /

Linebacker (7)

Thomas Davis, Jon Bostic, Cole Holcomb, Ryan Anderson, Khaleke Hudson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Shaun Dion Hamilton

Both Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio were linebackers during their playing days so needless to say, they have an appreciation for the position. That’s part of the reason they’re choosing to keep seven linebackers in this roster projection.

This is the same group of linebackers I projected the Redskins to keep in my last roster prediction. Here’s what I said about this group at that time.

"Davis and Bostic are the proven veterans of the group. Davis long had success in Rivera’s defense with the Panthers and the 38-year-old was brought in to provide necessary leadership to the team. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a productive outside linebacker who is a natural fit in the Redskins’ 4-3 defense. As for Bostic, he found success last season replacing Mason Foster in the Washington defense. As a result, he returned to the team to be a potential stopgap at middle linebacker. But he’s not being paid a ton, so he could be a backup if the team’s other young talent performs well this offseason. Speaking of that young talent, Holcomb looked good as a rookie in 2019. He’ll need to improve as a tackler, but he has the athletic ability needed to be a good starter at the next level. Hamilton didn’t leap into the starting lineup as some had expected him to last season, but he was an excellent, heady backup and if he progresses some more, he could also become a good starter. I considered listing Anderson as the fourth edge rusher in this roster projection but ultimately settled on including him as a linebacker. He doesn’t have a great fit in this defensive alignment, but the SAM linebacker spot seems to be the best option for him. Consider Anderson a hybrid player who will mostly play close to the line of scrimmage as a pass rusher and edge-setting linebacker. The final two players to make the rosters are special teams standouts. Pierre-Louis, a former Boston College Eagle, has bounced around the league a bit, but special teams are his calling card. His floor is as a contributor there. But as he showed during his three starts with the Chicago Bears last season, he can contribute on defense. Hudson, a fifth-round rookie, will probably make the team as a safety/linebacker tweener, but his special teams ability is excellent. He blocked five punts in college and if Rivera and Jack Del Rio can find a spot for him in this defense, he could find a way to make plays."

Reuben Foster and Josh Harvey-Clemons don’t make the roster in this projection. Nor do Nate Orchard or Jared Norris. If Foster is healthy, he’ll likely knock one of the core special teams players off the roster, but it’s safe to assume he’ll start the season on the PUP list at the very least.

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