Redskins Position Group Breakdown: Outside Linebackers

June 14, 2018

By Jamual Forrest

One of the better and most efficient position groups in recent years has been the Redskins’ outside linebackers. The group, led by veteran Ryan Kerrigan, has put constant pressure on quarterbacks in the past couple seasons. In 2017, Kerrigan and company accounted for 24 of the teams’ 42 sacks on the season.

Preston Smith, who is heading into his fourth year, has received mixed reviews throughout his time in Washington. Smith has had moments throughout a season where his production drastically dropped. The fourth year for Preston will put him to the test, as he heads into a contract year. Smith will have to show coaches not only on film but numbers-wise that he is worth keeping around  in the role of a top pass-rusher. The ability of Smith is there, as well as his height and weight, so the potential is high, but it is on Smith to put together a full and consistent season. 2018 will be critical for his development and professional career.

Ryan Anderson had minimal impact as a rookie for Washington. However, with the departure of Junior Galette and Trent Murphy, even though those two did not get a high snap percentage, Anderson will be counted on more to contribute as a defender. Galette’s snap percentage is likely going to carry over to Anderson given that Junior is no longer a Redskin. Anderson’s struggle as a rookie was lack of efficiency as a pass-rusher. Stopping the run was hardly ever an issue for him going back to his time as a Crimson Tide player. Like Smith, Anderson’s 2018 season will be critical for not only himself but for the team. If he doesn’t pan out, investing a high second-round pick into Anderson when there were other “ready now” contributors available at the time of the pick will prove damaging to the Redskins and the outside linebacker position group as a whole.

Lastly, Ryan Kerrigan is the exemplary leader of the group. Coming off a 13 sack season and his third career pick-six in 2017, Kerrigan career sack tally has now reached 71.5, putting him as one of the Redskins elites and all-time greats. Kerrigan is heading into his eighth season as a pro and will need the help of his younger teammates such as Anderson and Smith to help him continue to produce at a high-level and keep this unit as a top tier one for Washington. Outside of the top three players at the position, Pernell McPhee provides a good sub option for Washington. McPhee, who has had an injury-riddled past as a starter, will have the opportunity to stay fresh and healthy as a reserve player and have maximum effectiveness on each defensive snap he plays provided he can stay healthy. The Redskins will also need some other younger players to step up for them at outside linebacker as losing depth players in Galette and Murphy in the same offseason allow for some interesting storylines as the season plays out.