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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 24: Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Jonathan Allen #93 after a play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Jonathan Allen #93 after a play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Interior Defensive Line (5)

Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, Caleb Brantley

There isn’t much to say about the group on the interior defensive line that hasn’t already been said.

Allen, Payne, and Ioannidis were a stellar three-man front in the team’s 3-4 defense last season and they figure to have big roles in the new 4-3 scheme as well. Allen can play inside and outside, Ioannidis is one of the more underrated interior rushers in the league, and Payne could be poised for a breakout after two rock-solid seasons as a run stuffer and athletic pass rusher for the ‘Skins.

light. Must Read. Should the Redskins trade or keep Ryan Anderson?

Behind the trio, Settle is an excellent backup nose tackle. He has terrific size at 6-3, 308 pounds and offers a lot as a well-rounded player. Brantley hasn’t reached his ceiling yet after missing last season with an injury, but the 25-year-old still has athletic upside. Keeping him as a fifth interior lineman with some inside/outside flexibility is a sensible option for the team.

The Redskins defensive line is elite and when combining the edge rushers with the talent they have on the interior, the team could challenge for the league’s top spot in sacks during the 2020 campaign. And their skills should help to compensate for the team’s merely adequate secondary.

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