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John KeimESPN Staff Writer
For the first time in a while, the Redskins have a legitimate young talent base to build around defensively. The free-agent acquisitions of safety D.J. Swearingerand linebacker Zach Brown have helped quite a bit. But the development of the younger players has been crucial.
Of the Redskins’ 22 defensive players who participated in Sunday’ 27-10 win over Oakland, 10 were in their third year or fewer and four were rookies. It will lead to growing pains at times, but a lot of energy and production in other games. Here’s a look at each one:
Linebacker Preston Smith: A second-round pick in 2015, Smith started to mature this offseason in terms of taking care of himself, eating better and doing more stretching exercises, among other things. Whether or not that’s why he’s off to a good start is hard to say. But Smith has played well the first three games. It’s not just the team-best three sacks -- it’s the consistent pressure as well as his run defense.
End Jonathan Allen: The Redskins will long thank whomever they need for letting Allen fall to No. 17 in the draft this past spring. Allen has mostly played tackle in the Redskins’ nickel package, but also has played end in base. Allen has provided an impact. The ability to collapse the pocket from the inside – and preventing an area for the quarterback to step up -- gives the outside linebackers a better shot at sacks. Allen has one sack, showing an ability to split blockers and use power. The Redskins know Allen will keep improving.
“That’s the most exciting thing about Jonathan,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “He just hasn’t scratched the surface of his own potential yet.”
Jonathan Allen somehow slid to No. 17 in the draft, and the Redskins are thankful. Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire
End Matt Ioannidis: He plays tackle with Allen in the nickel package, occasionally playing end in their base front. He might have improved as much as anyone from last season, when he was a rookie fifth-round pick. The Redskins played him out of position at nose before wisely moving him to his current role. Ioannidis has been as effective as any defensive lineman, playing with better leverage and more power. He has one sack.
“The development of Matt Ioannidis has been critical,” Gruden said.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller: Another who has improved dramatically is Fuller, who starts in the slot, giving the Redskins solid play from there thus far. As a rookie last season, he was coming off microfracture knee surgery and though healthy enough to play, the Redskins say his play was impacted all season. He intercepted Derek Carr Sunday night.
“He’s one of our smartest players,” Gruden said. “Now I think he’s 100 percent healthy and feels confident and mentally he is always going to put himself in good positions. That’s what I love about Kendall. He is always going to have good technique and play with the right leverage and do what he is supposed to on defense. When you do that, man, good things will happen.”
Safety Montae Nicholson: The Redskins lost Su’a Cravens to retirement – or a one-year hiatus – but Nicholson, a rookie fourth-round pick, will soften that blow. The rookie has played safety opposite Swearinger the last two weeks, mostly in nickel. He offers good size (6-foot-2, 216 pounds) and speed. Nicholson can hit and cover, as he showed on the second play of the game, when he intercepted Carr. On the play, Nicholson stayed disciplined in his deep half and pivoted correctly when Carr unloaded the ball. Perhaps Nicholson’s best move: He pays attention to Swearinger.
Linebacker Ryan Anderson: The rookie second-round pick played 22 snaps last week, serving as a backup to Smith. Anderson suffered a setback this summer with a shoulder injury. He plays the run well and provides excellent depth at an impact position.
Linebacker Martrell Spaight: With starter Mason Foster out, Spaight played most of the game – all in the nickel package. He was replaced by Will Compton when the Redskins used their base front. The Redskins had hoped Spaight, a 2015 fifth-round pick, would contend for a starting job this summer, but injuries again cost him time.
Safety Deshazor Everett: He started the season opener, but has played mostly in the Redskins’ base package the last two games. The Redskins viewed Everett, in his third season, as a solid backup and key special-teams player. He’s developed well after switching from corner in 2016 and provides solid hits, though he was inconsistent in coverage the first game.
Corner Fabian Moreau: A third-round pick who would have gone higher if not for a torn pectoral in March. Moreau, who made two plays as a gunner on punt coverage Sunday night, projects as a future starter. He’s played six snaps from scrimmage this season. His time will come.
Corner Quinton Dunbar: He’s played sparingly and, in terms of the future, still projects as a backup. He’s carved out a good niche, though, after switching from receiver as a rookie three years ago. His long arms and size give him an advantage in man coverage. He helps on special teams, too.
i think this defense can be something really good if we can get some more good young depth in the d/line
this bodes well for the future , good young defenders
