We recently examined the Redskins offensive depth chart prior to training camp. Today we turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball.
Redskins Defensive Depth Chart
RDE: The defense is going to look a lot different when they take the field during the regular season. And one position that has been upgraded is the defensive line. Bruce Allen brought in Jason Hatcher who had thirteen sacks last season, more than anyone on the Redskins. Stephen Bowen is still on the team, which gives Washington great depth at the defensive end position.
1) Hatcher
2) Bowen
NT: Last year, Barry Cofield took a step down and didn’t play as well as he did in 2012, which is the main reason the team decided to re-sign Chris Baker so quickly. They expect Baker to start at nose tackle but do not expect Cofield to just hand over the starting job. It’s going to be a slug fest, and there are arguments for each taking the starter’s job. Baker is younger and faster than Cofield, and as a result will more likely win the battle.
1) Baker
2) Cofield
LDE: This position is up for grabs now that Adam Kerriker is gone. Bowen can move from right to left and play opposite Hatcher. One player to keep an eye on is Jarvis Jenkins. He has great potential and could be a quality starter in this league. Look for him to prove his worth over the next few months leading to preseason football. Doug Worrthington is also a big body and provides good depth.
1) Jenkins
2) Bowen
3) Worthington
ROLB: Brian Orakpo is back on a franchise tag and has something to prove. He had 10 sacks last year–the most since his rookie season when he had 11. In fact, he would have had more if Mike Shanahan didn’t sit him due to injury for the last three games. With the team drafting Trent Murphy in the second round it puts pressure on him to play better. Rob Jackson is also back and they still have fifth round pick Brandon Jenkins on the roster.
1) Orakpo
2) Jackson
3) Jenkins
LOLB: Ryan Kerrigan is the starter opposite of Orakpo and together are an offense’s worst nightmare. Murphy will back-up Kerrigan and learn from him. Jenkins will also be behind Murphy should both get hit by the injury bug.
1) Kerrigan
2) Murphy
3) Jenkins
RILB: This spot is a huge question mark. The team brought in Akeem Jordan and Daryl Sharpton to battle for the starting spot with Keenan Robinson, who was a fourth round pick under Shanahan. This is going to be a battle all summer and likely even into the regular season. This is a toss-up and will have to wait until September when the dust settles to see who starts.
1) Jordan
2) Sharpton
LILB: Perry Riley will be the quarterback of this defense and take over the role of London Fletcher. Robinson will back him up if he gets hurt.
1) Riley
2) Robinson
FS: This was a huge weakness last season but the Redskins signed Ryan Clark and are getting Philip Thomas back from injury. Also consider that Bacarri Rambo is still developing, but might have a future. Clark is a short-term answer at free safety and the team is banking on Thomas and Rambo as the long-term starters at both safety positions.
1) Clark
2) Thomas
3) Rambo
SS: Brandon Meriweather is an interesting football player because at times he is always making plays with his big hits and has a knack for creating turnovers. Other times however, he is missing tackles because he seems to opt for the big hit rather than the sure tackle. But for now he will be opposite Clark.
1) Merriweather
2) Rambo
3) Thomas
CB: Corner back was a weakness last year mostly because of Josh Wilson’s mediocrity and David Amerson’s inexperience. Looking at it now, there is better depth and it could become a strength for the defense this season. If the defensive line creates pressure expect that DeAngelo Hall, Amerson, and Bashaud Breeland will have plenty of interceptions between them as they are all ball hawks. There is solid depth in Tracy Porter and Richard Crawford, while Chase Minniefield showed signs of his ability before he got hurt and has an attitude that will benefit him.
1) Hall
2) Amerson
3) Breeland
4) Porter
5) Crawford
6) Minniefield
For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
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