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Washington Football Team’s five most versatile players

By Ian Cummings

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team intercepts a pass against wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins beat the Seahawks 17-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team intercepts a pass against wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins beat the Seahawks 17-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington Football Team in action in the second half against the Detroit Lions at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington Football Team in action in the second half against the Detroit Lions at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – LB Ryan Anderson

I’ve been skeptical of Ryan Anderson‘s schematic fit in the Washington Football Team’s new 4-3 defense in the past, and that isn’t changing today. But even I can’t deny that his background as a 3-4 outside linebacker does give him some versatility in the new alignment.

As a 3-4 outside linebacker, Anderson primarily set the edge on running downs and rushed the passer on passing downs, as most edge rushers are assigned to do in those situations. In the 4-3 scheme, however, the edge rushers more often rush from a three-point stance, as opposed to standing up, and the linebackers play mostly off-ball roles.

Anderson will be a 4-3 linebacker first, and he profiles well as a SAM linebacker. SAM linebackers place an added emphasis on run defense, and that’s an area where Anderson has shown flashes in the past. His 6-foot-2, 255-pound frame helps him to fill gaps and stand his ground, and his motor and urgency help him reach his landmarks in time.

With that being said, Anderson does have versatility, in the sense that he can also rush the passer, and has a background in that area. Anderson is too small to be a 4-3 defensive end on a consistent basis, but situationally, he can fulfill that role and provide a more natural edge presence than blitzes from other positions.

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