Washington Football Team Defense: 2018 vs. 2020

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: The Washington Redskins defense celebrates after an interception during the second quarter during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Terrell McClain #97, Matthew Ioannidis #98 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Football Team wait in the tunnel before taking the field to play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Defensive Linemen

The switch to the 4-3 this year skews this comparison a bit. In 2018, only three defensive linemen crossed the twenty percent threshold, and all three — Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis — figure to be prominent players again this year.

They will be joined by defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, neither of whom was on the roster in 2018. The best edge pass rusher from 2018, Ryan Kerrigan, who was listed as an outside linebacker that season, will become a depth player in 2020. If Sweat and Young perform anywhere near expectations, this is a major upgrade.

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