Washington Redskins: Defensive Position-by-Position Breakdown and Analysis

For the first time since 2009, the Washington Redskins are entering a season with a defense that seems in better shape than their offense. While the latter unit is loaded with talent, but weighed down by a major question mark under center, the D seems largely settled.

It's settled thanks to a definite identity, one established by a host of new faces. Thanks to the work of general manager Scot McCloughan, Washington's defense is a bigger, tougher and nastier group.

The changes are most obvious in the areas bracketing the team's quartet of linebackers. There's been a host of changes up front, where the line is now bigger and more explosive. Meanwhile, the secondary has undergone a long, long overdue remake and now looks like a more physically punishing unit.

These changes are good news for those linebackers, the heart of Washington's 3-4 scheme. Even the system itself has undergone some alterations.

Joe Barry has replaced Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator and is junking the two-gap style his predecessor most often favored. This year's 3-4 will be about attacking gaps, not simply filling them.

Find out exactly which players will help put the new philosophy into action.

Defensive End

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Starters: Jason Hatcher, Stephen Paea

Depth: Frank Kearse, Ricky Jean Francois

No one position will have a bigger impact on the success of the new style of defense than the ends. In previous seasons, the Redskins wanted the men at the edges of their D-line to control gaps on either side of an offensive tackle.

They were functionary players tasked with creating clear pass-rush lanes off the edge for the outside linebackers. In addition, they also needed to draw a double-team from a guard to let the inside 'backers run to the ball.

But that's all changed this season as holdover Jason Hatcher has noted, per ESPN.com's John Keim:

"

You’re expected to make more plays in this system. You can make more plays in the backfield, make a lot of tackles, as long as you’re in your gap and do what you’re supposed to do it’ll be fun. Just attack. You ain’t holding up blocks no more. You can make a play here and there.

"

Hatcher will be a key figure for the change in style, as head coach Jay Gruden explained, also per Keim: "We want to let our defensive line go and let them get up the field—[Jason] Hatcher, you know—get the handcuffs off of them a little bit, let them get up the field."

That's great news for a player who basically flopped during his first year in D.C. Hatcher arrived at Redskins Park as a Pro Bowler and perhaps the most feared interior pass-rusher in football.

In this context, his return of just 5.5 sacks and 25 combined tackles was disappointing, to say the least. But the new scheme will let the dynamic 32-year-old do more of what he does best.

In one-gap versions of a 3-4, the ends aren't usually 5-techniques, positioned on the outside shoulder of offensive tackles. Instead, they're oftentimes 3-techniques who line up in the B-gap between a tackle and guard.

That's not only where Hatcher is his most effective. It's also where new arrival Stephen Paea did most of his damage for the Chicago Bears last season.

He was a breakout player in the Windy City during 2014 after registering a career-best six sacks. The 27-year-old will be a key figure in Barry's vision for what Washington's defense will look like in the new season.

That vision is why a player like Frank Kearse will stick around as an important depth player. His ability to pressure the interior of the pocket will be valued more on base downs than last season.

For good measure, McCloughan favorite Ricky Jean Francois is one more single-gap destroyer who can fill in anywhere along the front. Francois isn't the most dominant against the run or holding up blockers.

Frankly, that's the one major concern at this position. None of the players listed here are particularly stout in the running game. They can each be swallowed up by double-teams and knocked off the ball.

That has to be a worry in an NFC East division that's home to powerful offensive lines in both Dallas and Philadelphia. There's also the presence of gifted runners such as DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews to consider.

Barry will have to hope players like Francois can use their explosiveness to compensate for a lack of imposing physicality in the trenches. Just like Hatcher and Paea, Francois can be effective when he's given license to play downhill.

The new scheme will give all its linemen that kind of freedom. It will place a premium on ends who can attack and get into the backfield.

This quartet should do that often. 

Nose Tackle

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

Starter: Terrance Knighton

Depth: Chris Baker

Of course, Barry doesn't have to lose too much sleep over how his ends will react in the running game. Not when mammoth force of nature Terrance Knighton will be clogging the middle.

The Redskins made a steal when they scored arguably the most formidable two-gap, 0-technique in the NFL this offseason. Knighton dubbed himself "the biggest steal" during free agency, according to Sports Illustrated's Don Banks.

"Yeah, I was [the biggest steal]," Knighton quipped. "But I’ve always bet on myself. I consider myself a premier player in this league, and I’ve got a lot of football left. This will be my seventh season, so when I hit the table again, there won’t be any excuses next time."

It's tough to fault the logic considering Washington got a playmaker at the most important position on its defense for a mere $4 million. Knighton's potential impact on 2015's unit can barely be overstated.

The first thing he'll do is make the middle a no-go area for running backs. Banks also carried quotes from Gruden which make it clear that will be Knighton's primary focus: "He’s a unique guy because he’s such a wrecker in the run game. It’s just hard to find those guys. ‘Yeah, go ahead and run up the middle against him. Now it’s 2nd-and-8, so good job.'"

Knighton securing the center-guard box will also be a massive boost for the team's one-gap ends in the passing game. He'll leave quality pass-rushers like Hatcher and Paea facing single blocking, a true matchup win for this defense.

But he won't just be limited to being a force in the middle. Knighton's presence has given Barry a roving agent of destruction who can be moved around to take away the strength of an offense.

Say a team loves to run off left tackle, the way divisional foe the Philadelphia Eagles often do behind Jason Peters, moving Knighton over to that side would take away an opponent's favorite trend.

Moving Knighton around is something that's very possible thanks to the crossover potential offered by most of the team's linemen. His most obvious backup is close friend Chris Baker, another house-sized 0-technique.

But Baker can also play end, while all three of Paea, Kearse and Francois can operate over center. That's why the Redskins can likely enter the season carrying as few as six D-linemen.

If there's going to be a seventh, count on that player coming from the trio of Robert Thomas, Travian Robertson and Jerrell Powe. They are all natural nose tackles, with the latter offering greater size and 3-4 experience.

The line is the foundation for any good defense. That being the case, Washington can feel confident about this unit's potential for the new season.

Outside Linebacker

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Starters: Trent Murphy, Ryan Kerrigan

Depth: Preston Smith, Jackson Jeffcoat

This position is strong as long as Ryan Kerrigan stays healthy. The Pro Bowler who broke out with 13.5 sacks in 2014 underwent knee surgery this offseason.

Fortunately, the rehab process appears to be going well. Kerrigan recently described how he's feeling after the procedure, per CSN Washington's JP Finlay: "I'm doing really well. I'm running now. Now it's just about building the strength."

Kerrigan's progress post-surgery is great news because it should ensure more progress on the field. This is a player who's gotten better every year he's been in the league. Now he's one of the premier playmakers at his position.

At least the Redskins know what they are going to get from Kerrigan. Sadly, things are nowhere close to as certain on the other side.

The bid to replace talented but brittle rush end Brian Orakpo begins, in earnest, with a pair of second-round picks competing for the right. At the moment, 2014 draftee Trent Murphy should have the edge over rookie Preston Smith.

Murphy hardly impressed last season when he notched a mere 2.5 sacks one year after leading collegiate football in quarterback takedowns at Stanford. But the former Cardinal standout did manage to show a penchant for setting the edge against the run and operating in space.

Those are qualities that belong on base downs. With better pass-rushers along the line to support Kerrigan, there will be less pressure on Murphy to deliver major sack numbers.

It might even benefit Barry's scheme to have a more stay-at-home-type at this spot. That way he can rely on a four-man rush and still drop seven into coverage, the dream mix most coordinators still want even in football's modern era.

When the time comes to really turn up the heat, Barry can introduce Smith. The first-year man is highly versatile, capable of playing on both edges, as well as in the middle, either with his hand down or standing up.

That level of flexibility can be put to better early use in a situational role in Washington's nickel and sub-package schemes. Lining Smith up at different spots in combination with a variety of capable pass-rushers will increase the looks Barry can show quarterbacks and blockers on football's money down.

Smith's presence should help the Redskins create more pressure up front without having to rely too heavily on the blitz.

He just looks too raw and too much of a 'tweener to win a starting berth immediately. Although, Rich Tandler of Real Redskins believes Smith can supplant Murphy provided he first establishes a niche in a situational role:

"

I don’t see Smith knocking Trent Murphy out of the starting job on the right side during training camp. But as Smith gains experience and learns the tricks of the trade while playing 30 or 40 snaps a game in sub packages he could narrow the gap and eventually overtake Murphy.

"

Whether Smith makes the grade early, or Murphy takes a major step or two forward, the Redskins will be in healthy shape at this spot. The nightmare scenario is one where neither player shows much chops as a pass-rusher, leaving Kerrigan to be the focus of every blocking scheme he faces.

To round out the rotation, expect Jackson Jeffcoat to be the team's fourth edge-rusher. He showed real potential in this role late last season. Now Jeffcoat needs coaches capable of developing his raw qualities into something more.

Kerrigan is still the man here, but the rest of the depth chart is loaded with intriguing talents and conversion projects.

While these projects still pose question marks, the improved options up front could help key a breakout year from a smart and technically sound player like Murphy.

Inside Linebacker

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Starters: Perry Riley Jr., Keenan Robinson

Depth: Martrell Spaight, Adam Hayward, Will Compton

Just like outside linebacker, the state and success of this position hinges on the health of one key figure. If Keenan Robinson can stay upright in the middle, inside linebacker can be an underrated strength of this new-look defense.

After two injury-hit years to begin his pro career, Robinson made his third season count. He replaced London Fletcher as the on-field general of Washington's defense and proceeded to look like a star in the making.

Robinson was quick, instinctive and aggressive during 13 starts. Now he's being touted as the most underrated player on the team by CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: "He is a thumper in the run game who should be better in coverage with a year of starting under his belt."

It will also help Robinson's development if his partner in the middle, Perry Riley Jr., registers considerable improvement after a dire 2014 season. Riley wasn't always put in the best positions by previous coordinator Jim Haslett, but even that can't excuse his lengthy list of missed tackles and coverage breakdowns.

At his best, Riley is a smart 'backer with quick reaction skills who's also effective on the blitz. And he needs to rediscover his best, because the depth still leaves a lot to be desired.

Will Compton may have registered 60 tackles in relief last season, but he's still a limited athlete who doesn't get his hands on the ball. Meanwhile, veteran Adam Hayward has a roster spot purely for his expertise on special teams.

That's something he could soon have in common with fifth-round rookie Martrell Spaight. Yet the ex-Arkansas hitter did lead the always-tough SEC in tackles in 2014.

This position is at a true crossroads entering the new season. It's success seems to hinge on too many things, such as Robinson being healthy enough to complete a full campaign and Riley proving he hasn't hit his ceiling.

With no obvious studs in reserve, this looks like the weakest group on this season's defense.

Cornerback

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Starters: Chris Culliver, Bashaud Breeland, David Amerson (NB)

Depth: DeAngelo Hall, Tevin Mitchel, Justin Rogers

Cornerback has undergone a makeover, one crucial to creating a new attitude in the secondary. McCloughan has spent time in the front offices of both the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, two teams who believe in taking a robust approach to coverage.

That often means employing corners that are willing and able to rough up receivers at the line. Washington certainly boasts a rowdy pair of starters heading into the new season.

New boy Chris Culliver fits the mold as a 6'0", 199-pounder who rarely lets his receiver make a clean break. Barry has already been impressed by Culliver's habit of challenging pass-catchers, per an interview with ESPN 980 (h/t ESPN.com's John Keim): "Culliver just wants to get in your face and be physical and get his hands on you. You can’t ask for anything more from a corner.”

The Redskins already have a cornerback who plays the game the same way in the form of Bashaud Breeland. There was nothing shy about the way the 2014 fourth-round pick handled receivers as a rookie.

Breeland's still raw, but the basic skill and necessary tenacity are certainly there. Once he learns a little more technique, the former Clemson man could be outstanding.

That would leave 2013 second-rounder David Amerson on the outside looking in. But the player who's been a pretty big disappointment the last two years can still revive his career.

It will mean taking to the slot corner, nickelback role like a duck to water. At 6'1" and 205 pounds, Amerson does at least have the size to play inside.

Covering at closer quarters will also help him keep the game in front of him. He's struggled mightily whenever he's had to be more instinctive.

At the moment, though, Amerson looks like a decent bet for the important third corner spot. That's due largely to DeAngelo Hall's stuttered recovery from tearing the same Achilles twice last season.

The 31-year-old was naturally limited during early offseason workouts, according to CBS DC writer Brian McNally. Hall is certainly remaining cautiously optimistic about his chances of playing a key role early on, per an interview with 106.7 The Fan (h/t CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir):

"

I hope I’m ready to go the first day. When I say wean me back in, I know they are going to monitor me. I know they are not going to just throw me out there and [have me] take all the reps with the [first team]. I’m just going to get out there and see how the body feels.

...

I’ve been doing more sprinting straight ahead and side-to-side agility. So to actually get out there and get into football shape and do a lot more football movements, we’ll see how it responds and just kind of play it by ear.

"

Given his age and the extent of his injury, Hall is smart not to rush back, even though there's better talent and more competition at his position. If he responds well during training camp though, the pecking order will change at this position.

Safety

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

Starters: Duke Ihenacho, Dashon Goldson

Depth: Jeron Johnson, Kyshoen Jarrett, Trenton Robinson

For the first time in a long time, things actually look settled at safety. Yet settled doesn't necessarily imply strong.

The arrival of Dashon Goldson has at least secured the free safety spot. Drafted by McCloughan in San Francisco, Goldson's career went downhill during two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But he has already left Barry impressed, according to ESPN.com's John Keim: "With Dashon, just being around him the last five weeks, he’s exactly what you want in that position back there. He’s the quarterback of the secondary."

A quarterback for the secondary is just what Washington hoped it was getting when graybeard defensive back Ryan Clark was added last offseason. Sadly, that experiment backfired.

Rolling the dice on Goldson's ability to rediscover the form that made him a star in the Bay Area is probably a risk worth taking though. Things probably can't get much worse at this position than they have been during recent seasons.

But if Goldson's career tailspin proves a trend instead of a fluke, things could look a lot like 2014 in this secondary.

Another calculated gamble can be made on Duke Ihenacho as the starting strong safety. The big hitter who once plied his trade for the Denver Broncos has also impressed coaches this offseason, per another report from Keim.

Ihenacho can lay the wood, something which figures to be the defining feature of this secondary in 2015. McCloughan helped construct Seattle's feared Legion of Boom secondary and saw the benefit the group's intimidation and brute force yielded for one of the league's best defenses.

So did Jeron Johnson, the backup for Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor that McCloughan brought on board this offseason. Johnson's versatility and special teams expertise will see him in a situational role early on, but he'll certainly keep the pressure on Ihenacho.

The problem will be if no member of a duo who have yet to prove themselves starter-worthy can competently handle an increased workload. Then Washington will be back to scratching around for patchwork solutions at a key position.

Rookie Kyshoen Jarrett, another thumper, will also begin his pro life working in football's third phase. He'll be joined by Trenton Robinson, a useful depth free safety who can also play corner.

This group will certainly be physical. But big hits don't always translate to competent performances. In fact, they rarely do. Hapless former Washington starter Brandon Meriweather was ample proof of that.

At least this secondary now has a definite identity. All of the players McCloughan has recruited fit the mold for a more bruising unit.

It's an identity shared by the rest of the defense. Imposing physicality isn't the hallmark of a good NFL defense, but it is the necessary starting point.

Washington's defenses have been pushed around too often in recent seasons. With greater size and talent, both at the front and back ends, that shouldn't happen in 2015.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com.