Ranking the Commanders next in line for contract extensions after Terry McLaurin

2. Cole Holcomb

Hand Holcomb a blank check if emerges as a potential solution for the Commanders’ middle linebacker vacancy. Entering the final year of his rookie contract as a former fifth-round selection back in 2019, Holcomb was quite clearly one of Washington’s most important defensive players last campaign.

For anyone nervous Holcomb could walk next offseason, the 25-year-old linebacker has received praise from head coach Ron Rivera, general manager Martin Mayhew and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio this offseason after his breakout 2021. That’s a testament to how high Holcomb is regarded in the building.

Holcomb did a little bit of everything for Washington last year, leading the team with 142 combined tackles, which actually ranked 10th at the position, according to Stat Muse, tied for second with two interceptions, and fourth with seven passes defended, which speaks to the strides he made in coverage.

If Holcomb can piggyback off his breakout campaign with another statement season, the Commanders will have no choice but to give him an extension, especially with Jamin Davis coming off a disappointing rookie year and failing to establish himself as a clearcut starter during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Linebacker is expected to be an area of weakness for Washington in 2022, but that concept has nothing to do with Holcomb.