Predicting Washington Redskins' Top Position Battles This Offseason
Running back, inside linebacker and outside linebacker lead the list of position battles sure to dominate the rest of the Washington Redskins' offseason process.
At each spot, a new face will bid to make the position his own, with rookies favored to eventually win starting spots at running back and outside linebacker. Meanwhile, a free-agent arrival is sure to stake a claim to become the playmaking signal-caller Washington's defense needs at the heart of its linebacker corps.
Veterans signed during free agency will also feature heavily in position battles at nose tackle and free safety. Yet the Redskins will again count on draft picks to help refresh things at center and third cornerback.
Read on for a full breakdown of Washington's most significant position battles this offseason.
7. Center
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Predicted Winner: Spencer Long
The fact the Redskins felt compelled to trade up to select Chase Roullier in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft said a lot.
One thing the deal to swap picks with the Minnesota Vikings, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post, said was how highly the Redskins rated Roullier. The former Wyoming anchorman is certainly accomplished enough technically to respond well to the teachings of lauded Washington offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Selecting Roullier also said the Redskins aren't completely convinced by their options at center. It's understandable they would have questions about the state of things at the heart of the O-line after Kory Lichtensteiger retired and John Sullivan joined the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.
Those moves have left 2014 third-round pick Spencer Long to play over the ball. A converted guard, Long has made some strides in recent seasons but is always a player you feel could and should be upgraded.
What Roullier could offer that Long doesn't is a better fit for more straight-ahead, power-based blocking techniques. A scouting report from Pro Football Focus commended the rookie's prowess in this area: "Great at generating movement upon contact. Creates unexpected movement often as the center in Wyoming’s power attack. ... Did a fine job as a pulling guard in Wyoming’s power-heavy scheme in 2015."
The same report also noted how effective Roullier is at clearing lanes in the running game: "Had a run-blocking percentage of 91.6 percent as a center in 2016, seventh-best in the draft class."
Given how ineffective the Redskins were running the ball a year ago, ranking 21st, Roullier has a sneaky good chance of beating Long to the starting job before the end of the season.
6. Third Cornerback
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Predicted Winner: Fabian Moreau
The Redskins' starting slots at cornerback are set with veterans Bashaud Breeland and Josh Norman. However, it's a different story at the vital third corner spot, where rookie Fabian Moreau will battle a host of incumbents for playing time.
Former UCLA cover man Moreau came off the board in the third round of this year's draft, despite requiring surgery to fix a pectoral injury suffered during the Bruins' pro day.
Fortunately, the Redskins won't have to wait long for Moreau to be ready for action, at least according to ProFootballDoc of the San Diego Union-Tribune: "A 4-6 month recovery timeline makes it tight for Moreau to be ready for the start of camp, but pec tendon surgery recovers reliably."
Moreau's availability will be key to this position battle, since he has the size, instincts and skills to play in the slot or on the outside in nickel sets. The 6'0", 202-pounder intercepted two passes and broke up nine more in 2016, per cfbstats.com.
Moreau boasts the talent to stand out above Kendall Fuller and Quinton Dunbar. The latter is a one-time wide receiver who has shown a flair for the big play on the outside, but he may not be ideally suited to the slot.
By contrast, Fuller could play inside, but he needs to rebound from a shaky rookie season in 2016, during which he made just six starts and failed to register a single interception.
Finding a versatile and opportunistic playmaker at this key position will be one of the more important decisions facing defensive coordinator Greg Manusky this offseason. Given how often teams in today's NFL deploy their nickel sets, Manusky has to get it right.
5. Nose Tackle
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Predicted Winner: Terrell McClain
Manusky's next biggest question on defense is what type of nose tackle does he want to underpin Washington's base 3-4 front? Answering it will mean deciding between a quick gap-penetrator or a massive, lane-clogging 0-technique.
Fortunately for Manusky and the Redskins, they have options for both roles. Of the first, former Dallas Cowboys starter Terrell McClain has the quickness and downhill temperament to play a shaded technique in the A-gaps between guards and centers.
McClain could split the middle and get into the backfield in the way teams who play a 1-gap, attacking version of the 3-4 usually love their nose tackles to do. It's how McClain played for Wade Phillips and the Houston Texans in 2012 and 2013.
However, McClain has spent the past three seasons playing in a 4-3 for the Cowboys. The same quickness and attacking instincts could make him a better fit at defensive end.
Manusky's history indicates he may prefer a heavier player to line up over centers and anchor Washington's D-line. He favored this more traditional-style nose guard during his days running defenses for the San Francisco 49ers from 2007-10, when Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga usually played in the middle.
If he opts for the same approach in Washington, Manusky may turn to ex-Cleveland Browns first-round pick Phil Taylor.
ESPN's John Keim referred to oft-injured Taylor staying healthy as an ideal solution for Washington:
"This would be the dream scenario for Washington because the former first-round pick has the size and talent to play the position. But they need to hope a guy who has dealt with injuries throughout his career suddenly can stay healthy. In four years with Cleveland, Taylor played 44 games (missing 20 because of injuries)."
Taylor has been brittle, but the 6'3", 335-pounder has the size to occupy double teams and let others make the splash plays. However, after the Redskins signed end Stacy McGee in free agency and drafted Jonathan Allen 17th-overall in the first round to play on the edge, McClain has to be the favorite for this job.
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4. Free Safety
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Predicted Winner: D.J. Swearinger
There are a plethora of contenders to play the last line of defense for the Redskins in 2017. The three main candidates are converted cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Will Blackmon, as well as free-agent pickup D.J. Swearinger.
Of the three, Swearinger is the biggest contradiction, because the 25-year-old is actually the only natural free safety in this competition, having played there for both the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.
Yet there is still an underlying contradiction in how Swearinger plays free safety. Specifically, he often plays more like a box safety, an aggressive hitter who will attack downhill.
Indeed, Mike Jones of the Washington Post described both Swearinger and second-year man Su'a Cravens as "natural strong safeties."
However, the Redskins may prefer a player with more range and comfort in coverage. Such a free safety would be particularly valuable for single-high schemes where Washington can play man coverage underneath in front of a deep free safety, something suited to Breeland and Norman's skills and appetite for getting physical with wide receivers.
Given this need, Hall and Blackmon would appear to have the edge. Yet things aren't as clear-cut as they may appear.
For one thing, Hall has missed 31 games and failed to register an interception in three years. It's hardly the best audition to be the ball hawk Washington needs at free safety.
By contrast, Blackmon has shown something of an opportunistic streak, after three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and four forced fumbles the past two seasons. Even so, Blackmon, who is also a keen special teams talent, seems more like a purely sub-package defender than a key starter.
My gut feeling here is Swearinger takes the job, with his experience ultimately outweighing any concerns about his lack of range.
3. Running Back
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Predicted Winner: Samaje Perine
Robert Kelley did little wrong as the Redskins' eventual starter at running back in 2016, averaging 4.2 yards per carry as an undrafted rookie.
It was head coach Jay Gruden who gave Kelley the start after growing frustrated with serial fumbler Matt Jones.
Gruden was full of praise for how Kelley handled the promotion, offering this glowing endorsement in early April, per Stephen Czarda of the team's official website: "You throw a rookie free agent to the fire like that and to see him play and compete. Not one time did I feel like it was too big for him, not once."
Kelley may have barely put a foot wrong in impressing Gruden, but Washington's decision to draft Samaje Perine in the fourth round this year won't have been lost on the former Tulane man.
Gruden has already talked up Perine's potential impact, per JP Finlay of CSNMid-Atlantic.com:
"We couldn’t pass up on Samaje. We were happy to get him, man. We really enjoyed his interview, his toughness, watching him on tape. You feel his presence when he runs the football. He’s a hard guy to get down, and if you do get him down, you’re going to get up holding your shoulder or something because he’s going to hit you."
That's quite heady praise for a rookie who is yet to play a competitive down in the pros. Yet there are reasons to believe Gruden's excitement is well-founded.
The fourth-rounder is a natural bruiser between the tackles, one who can wear defenses down and keep the chains moving—something the Redskins have lacked for too long on the ground.
Of course, Kelley is also a grinder inside. He even boasts the receiving skills to maybe give him the edge in this battle.
Yet the most decisive factor could be Perine's ability to handle a heavy and demanding workload. He proved the ability by carrying the ball 196 times in 10 games for the Sooners in 2016, per cfbstats.com.
Of course, the Redskins will be better if Kelley and Perine can form an effective rotation, something ESPN's John Keim believes could happen this season. However, given these two runners are so similar, it seems more likely one will become the lead workhorse of choice.
Perine has the greater upside to eventually win the job.
2. Outside Linebacker
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Predicted Winner: Ryan Anderson
The Redskins need to choose the right bookend for Ryan Kerrigan at outside linebacker. While the Burgundy and Gold can count on Kerrigan for a steady output of big plays, it's a different story on the other side.
Such uncertainty is understandable when the picture is this muddled. Trent Murphy will miss the first four games of the season through suspension. Murphy was looking like a lock for the starting job after the light finally went on for 2014's second-round pick last season, when he produced a career-best nine sacks.
Also, veteran Junior Galette hasn't played a down in two seasons with the Redskins. Back-to-back Achilles injuries have kept the 29-year-old off the field.
When he has been healthy, Galette has shown a flair for pressuring the passer, registering 22 sacks in two years for the New Orleans Saints. Yet the Redskins won't get the same player post-injuries.
Washington also can't count on Preston Smith after the way he regressed in Year 2. Smith logged just 4.5 sacks following an 8-sack campaign as a rookie in 2015.
Speaking of rookies, expect this year's second-rounder, Ryan Anderson, to win this job ahead of schedule. An ex-linchpin of Alabama's fearsome defense, Anderson is versatile, well-schooled in the fundamentals and a force against the run.
Anderson is very much a blue-collar outside 'backer, according to NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks of the league's official website: "Anderson is a backyard brawler with a rugged game on the edges. He isn't a high-level pass rusher, but his non-stop motor will lead to a number of garbage-time sacks."
Anderson is expected to start, per Rob Rang of CBS Sports: "Fellow Tide standout Ryan Anderson is the epitome of an alpha male. It will not take him long to land a primary role on this defense."
In an NFC East bossed by the rugged Dallas Cowboys, their beefy offensive line and dominant running back Ezekiel Elliott, Anderson's no-frills, physical game may be the perfect complement for Kerrigan's flair for splash plays.
1. Inside Linebacker
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Predicted Winner: Mason Foster
The Redskins are already better in the middle of their linebacking quartet after signing Zach Brown from the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Yet the position will still remain one of concern until Washington makes the right call about the player slated to start next to Brown.
It's a choice meaning a straight scrap between Mason Foster and Will Compton. The latter was re-signed in late April and has gone from undrafted to regular starter.
However, for all Compton's hustle and improvement, he lacks the athleticism to be a playmaker the Redskins can trust on all three downs. In fact, it's Foster who offers the more dynamic and versatile skill set.
He boasts more sideline-to-sideline quickness and a greater knack for getting his hands on the ball. Foster proved those qualities in 2016 when he made 124 tackles, broke up three passes, recorded a sack and forced a fumble.
However, Rich Tandler of CSNMid-Atlantic.com believes Tandler's best fit as signal-caller will give him the edge over Foster: "Neither Foster nor Brown is well suited to playing the Mike linebacker position, which involves calling the defenses. Compton does that well and it seems likely that he will continue to do it."
Compton called plays last season, but Foster's greater potential as a playmaker will count for more once OTAs and training camp get underway. Having two starting inside linebackers who can stay on the field in nickel sets will lend greater flexibility to Manusky's schemes.
Tandler's concern about the Mike linebacker fit can be offset by a bigger, more talented defensive line sure to keep the inside linebackers cleaner this season.
The Redskins have used free agency and the draft to fill out the roster and increase their options at key positions, which will make these seven position battles intense and intriguing this offseason.
They will also mean the Redskins have little excuse not to make the right call at the suspect spots remaining on the roster.
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