Washington Football Team: A wish list of free agent linebackers

A few free-agent outside linebackers to watch

Fortunately, the Washington Football Team is most solid at the SAM position with Holcomb showing signs of becoming an upper-echelon player. There is one outstanding SAM currently available on the free-agent market – Seattle’s K.J. Wright. But though Wright is still an excellent player, he turns 32 this Summer and I don’t see Washington investing heavily in that position.

The scenario that could play out would involve passing on any of the true MIKEs and bringing Wright on board in anticipation of sliding Holcomb into the middle. That is certainly possible, but I don’t think it is likely.

It is far more likely that Washington will look to bring in a coverage backer if they do not re-sign Pierre-Louis. Both Lavonte David (Tampa Bay) and Jayon Brown (Tennessee) are weak side studs. Brown may be more appealing because of his age (he will be 26 next season, to David’s 31) but both are dynamic playmakers – with more complete games than Pierre-Louis.

Trying to lock up Brown with a long-term deal could well be the top defensive priority in the 2021 free agency period. But signing David to a shorter deal would allow Washington to groom Hudson and potential draftees for bigger roles in another year or two.