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Washington Football Team Free Agency Evaluation – Defensive Line

By Ken Johannesen

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Tarell Basham #93 of the New York Jets warms up prior to their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 29, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Tarell Basham #93 of the New York Jets warms up prior to their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 29, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the New Orleans Saints in action during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the New Orleans Saints in action during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Middle Tier

Bud Dupree, Steelers

The opportunity for Bud Dupree to be one of the best pass rushers in the league for a decade or more never materialized, but the former Kentucky Wildcat has carved out a niche career in the NFL.  He may command an inflated salary due to expectations, but the Washington Football Team should only see Dupree as a rotational piece that can still have quite an impact for the next few years.

Trey Hendrickson, Saints

Trey Hendrickson had a breakout season in 2020 after three years of mediocre play.   From 2017 to 2019, he generated a grand total of 6.5 sacks.  The previously unknown Florida Atlantic player produced an astounding 13.5 sacks in 2020.  Is this a case of Hendrickson performing beyond expectations in a contract year or a defensive lineman/edge rusher truly on the rise?  With the Saints’ salary cap problems in 2021, Washington could snipe Hendrickson from New Orleans and hope for the best.

Shelby Harris, Broncos

Shelby Harris is a solid run-stuffer and a very good pass rusher, but he will turn 30 shortly before the 2021 season commences.  It’s likely that Harris still has three or four quality years remaining, so age is not a major factor for the Denver defensive tackle.  He will probably prefer to play where he is assured of being a full-time starter and not a rotational option.

Prediction:  Washington decides to roll the dice and sign Trey Hendrickson to a three year, $24M contract, $10M guaranteed, and an $8M signing bonus.

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