It’s no secret where the bulk of the issues lay for the Washington Redskins. Their defense has held them back on a number of occasions this season and could be the reason they fail to make the playoffs after winning the division a year ago. Perhaps their weakest point is the defensive line where they’ve made due with mostly backups and role players. Not a single star in the bunch. Nobody who can take some of the pressure off Ryan Kerrigan and the linebackers.
The failures of his team haven’t helped much, but Malik McDowell has put on some impressive individual performances in 2016. His size, length, and quickness stand out almost immediately. Not only can he hold the point of attack against the run, but is even better as a pass rusher. There are still fundamental issues he’ll have to work through but he has the look of a classic 3-4 defensive end. That missing inside presence who will free up the edge rushers.