Washington Football Team: A wish list of free agent linebackers

In the 2020 regular season, Jon Bostic, Cole Holcomb, and Kevin Pierre-Louis accounted for 2,024 of the 2,336 snaps played by Washington Football Team linebackers. That’s 87 percent. Five other linebackers combined for 312 snaps, slightly more than half of Pierre-Louis’ plays, and Pierre-Louis missed four of the final six contests.

Of those back-up players, only 2020 draftee Khaleke Hudson figures to have a noticeable role in 2021, and Hudson was average at best in limited opportunities. Clearly, some rebuilding is required in the linebacker room.

The Washington Football Team’s switch to a 4-3 defense left one major hole.

While Holcomb has a wealth of potential at the SAM (strong side) spot, and Pierre-Louis was well-suited for the WILL (weak side), Washington simply did not have a genuine MIKE, or middle, linebacker. The MIKE is a playmaker in the 4-3, and though Bostic made a valiant effort, he simply is not ideally built for the role.

All three starters flashed talent at various points during the season. Holcomb can be a very good do-everything linebacker, and Pierre-Louis is outstanding in coverage. Bostic was a very effective blitzer. But Pierre-Louis is a free agent and his return is questionable.

In an ideal scenario, Washington would find a replacement for Pierre-Louis at the WILL and an upgrade for Bostic at the MIKE. They would also add some depth because as of right now, they have virtually none. Some of this will be addressed in the draft. And some will be addressed in the free-agent market.