Analyzing the Commanders concerning lack of defensive depth
2. Cole Holcomb and everyone else- The Linebackers
Linebacker may collectively be Washington’s weakest position group. Cole Holcomb is a solid starter, but the rest of the room is very unknown. NFL teams will rarely put three linebackers on the field as offenses play in more three-WR sets, so Holcomb’s main counterpart is expected to be 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis.
With a space-eating addition in Phidarian Mathis, Davis is better set up a step up to play to his strengths as a run-and-chase linebacker.
Odds are he improves, at least a bit, but it’s still a gamble. After Davis, Khaleke Hudson is formidable depth as a lighter, rangier backer similar to Jamin Davis. David Mayo is serviceable against the run, smart, and a capable special teamer. Having him on the field in a known passing situation is a problem though.
The plan at LB - will only have 2 LBs on the field at most times, will be Holcomb and Davis mostly w some Mayo and maybe Hudson. Could they add a vet LB? Sure, but it wont be a needle mover https://t.co/FtfPDVbrKR
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 29, 2022
After that, it’s another collection of fringe roster guys. Undrafted free agents and players who have bounced around the league etc. So again, Washington is running into a similar problem.
A solid starter, with an exciting, athletic counterpart but putrid depth. What happens if Cole Holcomb has to miss an extended period of time? That’s Bad News Bears for the Commanders.
That would force a raw Jamin Davis to take on a larger role, David Mayo to get full-time snaps as the team’s MIKE, and lesser depth to rotate in on defense. Washington needs to add more depth within the linebacker room, especially those that can fill in as a MIKE.
Players to eye: LB AJ Johnson, LB Jon Bostic, LB Reggie Ragland, LB AJ Klein