Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Washington Football Team training camp profiles: Linebackers

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 15: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins takes the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 15: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins takes the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 12
Next
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball while being tackled by Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team in the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball while being tackled by Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team in the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Cole Holcomb

Experience: 2nd season

Draft Status: 2019 fifth-round pick, 173rd overall

2019 Stats: 16 games (15 starts), 106 tackles, one sack, one pass defense, three forced fumbles

More from Commanders News

2020 Outlook: Holcomb was selected in the fifth round thanks to his athletic ability and he put that on full display as a rookie. He was able to emerge as a starter early in the season, winning the job over Shaun Dion Hamilton, and he ended up leading the team in tackles.

Holcomb was good as a downhill playmaker and made things happen with his speed and knack for forcing fumbles. He needs to improve in coverage, but he has the athletic traits needed to do so. It will be interesting to see if he progresses in 2020 after a promising rookie campaign.

Expected Role: Starter. Holcomb started almost every game last year and figures to be an important long-term part of the team’s linebacker corps. He’s only 24 and still has plenty of room to grow and if he can step up under a new, defensive-minded coaching staff, he could turn into a big steal.

Status: Roster lock. Holcomb isn’t going anywhere. He was productive as a rookie last year and even if he plateaus as an athletic run defender, that will be enough to lock down a role in the new defense. But in all likelihood, he will improve and he could emerge as the team’s top linebacker if all goes well.

Home/Commanders News