Why Inside Linebacker Is Washington Redskins' Most Overlooked Need

You know the Washington Redskins need help in the secondary. You know an offensive line that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014 needs immediate reinforcements. And another pass-rusher or two would be great for a defensive front seven that felt the collars of opposing quarterbacks a mere 36 times last season.

But do you also know just how pressing the need for another inside linebacker is in D.C.?

They are the life blood of a defense, especially a linebacker-led scheme like the 3-4. The best defenses are the units that boast more than one elite playmaker at the heart of the second level.

Think of the San Francisco 49ers, specifically destructive duo NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Think of the Carolina Panthers and fleet-footed, ball-homing gazelles Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly.

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These defenses succeed because the roving playmakers in the middle can nullify every facet of an offense. They can seek out and destroy a ground game, supplement a pass rush and swarm on receivers in coverage.

The Redskins don't have two star performers underpinning their linebacker corps. They don't really even have one.

Let me clarify that. Keenan Robinson is certainly a budding star at his position. But No. 52 still needs to prove he can stay healthy and add to the string of impressive performances he produced last season.

There's every reason to believe he will. Robinson started 13 games in 2014 after missing 21 during the previous two seasons.

When he's been on the field, Robinson has shown enough athletic dynamism and smarts to mark himself out as a potential breakout candidate for 2015.

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But there's little reason for the same level of optimism at the other spot.

Not after Perry Riley Jr. stumbled through his first season reaping the fiscal rewards of a bumper new contract. Riley's tackle numbers were way down in 2014, dropping from 115 combined stops the previous season to 93.

Admittedly, that figure is partly a reflection of Robinson's efforts, but it also reveals that Riley wasn't quite himself last season. He took bad angles in run support, gambled in coverage and generally failed to finish plays.

That last critique speaks to a problem that's always been at the heart of Riley's game. He has a knack for getting around the ball, but an equal propensity for not making a play when he does.

It doesn't help that he was put into some tough spots by previous defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Every Redskins fan cringed when Riley found himself matched up against Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Mike Evans in single coverage.

Predictably, the bewildered linebacker was burned for a 56-yard touchdown by Tampa's first-year, big-play dispenser. This calamity was the nadir of Week 11's spirit-crushing home defeat.

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Of course, the first and most obvious question to ask after this play was what in the name of sanity was Riley even doing singled up on a wideout in the slot? While the question was warranted, it's not totally unreasonable for an inside linebacker to draw that assignment on certain defenses.

But those defenses are the ones equipped with linebackers skilled enough to handle the responsibility. Time to take a step back to that example of the 49ers and their twin pillars of stinginess, Bowman and Willis.

It's been a foundation of San Fran's scheme to trust both inside 'backers to handle coverage assignments against wide receivers. The demand has let the 49ers virtually use the 4-2-5 nickel as their base defense, a great asset in the modern, pass-happy NFL.

Because of Bowman and Willis, the Niners haven't had to utilize specialized substitutions or sub-packages that overload the field with safeties or slot corners. The continued presence of their two thumpers keeps a passing defense still strong against the run.

The 49ers aren't forced into rapid adjustments by spread sets, not with Willis and Bowman to track would-be pass-catchers. This NBC Sports "Turning Point" video feature from the lead-up to Super Bowl XLVII details why:

The Panthers succeed because they apply the same approach with Kuechly and Davis. The pair are so quick covering ground that there are few plays an offense can turn into big gains against the Carolina D.

Consider the New Orleans Saints' second offensive play during their Week 14 home game with the Panthers. Facing 2nd-and-9, the Saints spread out Carolina's 4-3 base hoping to isolate linebackers.

On the inside, Kuechly had responsibility for the middle of the field (orange square) in a Tampa 2-style coverage, a technique frequently employed by the Panthers. On the outside, Davis would have to cover a wide receiver breaking out of the slot (purple circle):

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Once the ball was snapped, Davis jammed his receiver and then used his ample quickness to shadow the flanker across the field. Meanwhile, Kuechly shortened his zone drop to zero in on tight end Ben Watson, who had released from an in-line alignment:

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As he surveyed the field, Saints passer Drew Brees saw both options expertly blanketed by Carolina's stud linebackers. So Brees turned and flipped a screen pass to running back Mark Ingram.

The ball was popped loose and promptly recovered by the Panthers. That theft led to a field goal and an early 10-point lead in what turned out to be a 41-10 romp for the linebacker-inspired visitors.

You may be asking yourself, "Why has Dudko even bothered to reference these examples?" After all, there's no Willis, Bowman, Kuechly or Davis on this roster.

But that's precisely the point. Especially after a few statements from recently acquired defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois struck me. Or more particularly, his words should have struck a chord with both Robinson and Riley.

The new lineman was discussing what first-year defensive coordinator Joe Barry told him about Washington's likely scheme in 2015, per CSN Washington reporter Tarik El-Bashir:

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But at the same time, his one biggest thing is he wants his front four to get pressure. That was the biggest thing he emphasized. If he’s got DBs in the backend covering, he wants to be able to send that front four and drop seven. That’s every defensive coordinator’s dream to do. I want that dream to come true for him.

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The idea of dropping seven into coverage on a regular basis naturally demands linebackers who can thrive in space, not just in the tackle box. Barry currently doesn't have linebackers as capable at his disposal. At least not enough of them.

Robinson is certainly the jewel in the crown, but the rest of the enamel is rotting. Riley's had his problems, but it also doesn't help that depth is wafer-thin.

Steve Beauharnais and Will Compton finished the season in the starting berths. Both were very willing but are long-term projects at best.

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After that, you might as well play a game of Guess Who? trying to identify the other members of the depth chart.

So the checklist reads like this: One brittle talent who at the moment is more potential than actual star. One veteran whose performances have declined sharply. Behind them depth is beyond questionable.

Or if you prefer the short version: There's Robinson and not much else.

That makes finding another skilled middle linebacker more than an overlooked need this offseason. It should be one of new general manager Scot McCloughan's main tasks.

Fortunately, he'll find plenty of candidates in both free agency and the 2015 NFL draft. Beginning with the latter, two names stand out above the rest.

Eric Kendricks would be a true steal for this team at the top of Round 2. The former UCLA catchall has the speed, range and instincts to play three downs in Washington's defense.

The problem is his versatility and skill make him a long shot to still be available after the opening round. Especially after he wowed audiences at the 2015 scouting combine, per USA Today writer Gary Mihoces.

He still projects Kendricks as a second-rounder, but there's no doubt the performance in Indy will have some teams looking to make a move earlier. NFC East rival the Philadelphia Eagles were planning to interview him at the combine, per CSN Philly reporter Geoff Mosher.

If Kendricks is there when the Redskins pick in the second, McCloughan shouldn't waste any time selecting him.

Another name worth considering is Denzel Perryman. Unlike Kendricks, Perryman is the classic bruiser between the hash marks. Yet as effective as he is against the run, it's hard to believe Perryman will be a trusty three-down player.

Maybe McCloughan's answer lies on the veteran market.

One option he must consider is New Orleans tackling machine Curtis Lofton. The Saints are exploring trading the 28-year-old, according to NFL.com Media Insider Ian Rapoport:

Lofton is a victim of the Saints' crippling salary-cap woes, per Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune. That explains why a linebacker this capable is even available.

Lofton is a defensive brainiac who reads offenses and can make plays in every phase of the game. If it takes compensation that McCloughan can live with to land him, he should quickly pull the trigger on a trade.

Another smart veteran who'd make sense is David Harris. But considering an NFL rebuilding job is the last accepted form of ageism, Washington will be unlikely to want to sign a 31-year-old free agent.

Harris also seems destined for a Buffalo Bills uniform, and a reunion with ex-head coach Rex Ryan, following the trade that swapped middle 'backer Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy, per ESPN reporter Adam Schefter:

On the plus side, acquiring Alonso could take the Eagles out of the running for Kendricks.

For a less heralded candidate in free agency, how about Jacquian Williams? The New York Giants will let him test the market, according to NJ.com writer Jordan Raanan.

ESPN 980 reporter Chris Russell has already suggested the 26-year-old as a possibility for Washington:

It's not a bad suggestion. Williams is light for the inside of a 3-4 at 231 pounds, but he's also quick and solid in coverage.

His frame may not be an issue if, as expected, the Redskins use more one-gap techniques up front. That will keep the inside linebackers covered up.

But McCloughan's best choice would undoubtedly be Mason Foster. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter has spent four years in a scheme that places a premium on a linebacker's coverage skills.

Remember, Barry also has his roots in this type of defense from his days as an assistant with the Bucs. At 6'1" and 241 pounds, Foster has the build of a classic middle linebacker.

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But he's certainly not a limited plugger. B/R analyst Matt Miller rates him as the second-best inside 'backer available in free agency, citing the 26-year-old's fit with the modern game:

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Mason Foster is the type of linebacker the NFL is shifting to: athletic, smart, agile and showing a skill set that allows him to play all three downs. Foster has range and hands in coverage, top-tier instincts against the run and is athletic enough to pull the chain and rush the passer.

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Those are qualities Washington's linebacker corps needs more of in 2015.

Whatever choices they make, the Redskins can't afford to overlook their need for another quality inside linebacker. Maybe Riley rebounds, maybe he doesn't. Maybe Robinson plays 16 games, maybe he doesn't.

But why roll the dice on either? Especially since Riley needs to be upgraded.

Add another starter-caliber player at the heart of this linebacker rotation, and the position goes from a question mark to an undisputed strength and the foundation of a new-look defense.

All statistics via NFL.com.

All screen shots courtesy of Fox Sports and NFL.com Game Pass.