4 biggest takeaways from Commanders OTAs thus far

2. Cole Holcomb Looks the Part

Much has been made about Washington’s lack of incentive to address the linebacker position; far and away the weakest personnel group on the roster. Amid all the uncertainty, Cole Holcomb has looked the part of a true signal-caller at OTAs.

Between leading the lines during individual drills, setting the pace during other drills (9-on-9s, 11-on-11s, etc.), Holcomb appears ready to assume the middle linebacker role for the Commanders. In fact, the third-year pro was given the elusive green dot, which suggests he’s now the quarterback of the defense.

Holcomb filled that role to an extent last season. Playing as an off-ball linebacker, though, he admitted it was difficult calling plays and making pre-snap adjustments from an outside position compared to the inside, where he can see everything and have a proper line of communication with his teammates.

Coming off a year in which he finished 10th in the NFL in tackles (142) and second in pass breakups (seven) amongst LBs who tallied at least 400 snaps, Holcomb is a safe bet to take another leap in 2022 even with more on his plate.