Washington Redskins 2020 NFL Draft: Positional needs and player targets

Interior Defensive Line

With the combination of top picks Jonathan Allen and Da’ron Payne, Washington sports one of the best interior defensive fronts in football. Payne has proven himself to be an All-Pro quality interior linemen against the run and rushing the passer, and Johnathan Allen is another high-quality, young space-eater who will require resources from opposing offensive lines.

These two will be cornerstone pieces for Washington in the future and should both be offered long-term extensions when their rookie contracts are up.

Edge Defender

At 31-years-old, franchise cornerstone Ryan Kerrigan is going to begin showing his age and have a downturn in production. His powerful pass rush has been a staple of the Washington defense for years, and his presence will need to be replaced. Rookie Montez Sweat has not lived up to the price tag of his high draft selection, but he still possesses the physical gifts to be a dynamic pass rusher who can change a game.

Washington should be looking to replace Kerrigan with another strong 3-4 outside linebacker who is as reliable rushing the passer as he is against the run. The development of Sweat will be integral to the future of this defense and could be a strong complement beside Payne and Allen.

Interior Linebacker

The interior linebacking of the Redskins is one of the weakest groups on the roster, highlighted by Cole Holcomb and Jon Bostic. If this Washington defense is to become a top-flight unit, they will need a man in the middle with dynamic athleticism and a great sense for the game. Washington is still missing its quarterback of the defense and should be looking to spend an early on this position in the first few rounds of this next draft.

One possible 2020 NFL Draft target to follow would be Kenneth Murray, a middle linebacker out of Oklahoma who is known for his pursuit and habit of being around the ball. Sometimes his over pursuit harms him in the end, but this type of dynamic playmaking from the middle with his physicality is what this defense needs in their linebacking.

Cornerback

Currently, alongside Josh Norman, Washington has Quinton Dunbar and nickel corner Aaron Colvin. This unit is by no means a bottom-tier group but could use another long, athletic corner across from Norman who can play well in a cover 3 system.

Landon Collins does his best work when able to drop down into the box in a cover 3, and having another lengthy zone corner like Norman could be a great acquisition for Washington. Paulson Adebo out of Stanford stands at 6-foot-1 and has great length and speed. He could be the solution next to Norman.

Safety

After acquiring former Giants safety Landon Collins this past offseason, Washington added one of the best box safeties we have seen in the league in years. His sense of the game and physicality are always impressive and provides an additional layer of security against the run game. Free safety Montae Nicholson is a solid, young, rangy Michigan State product who could develop into his own in the next year or two, and would be a perfect complement to Collins in a cover 3 system.

Projected Scheme

If the Redskins are going to have significant playoff success in the near future, it will hinge on this defense becoming a top-flight unit. A 3-4 base defense with a Cover 3 coverage look will give Sweat and Kerrigan’s future replacement room to work on the outside and flush quarterbacks into the jaws on the defense with Payne and Allen.

Running games will be stalled by Washington’s interior presence, and the speed and pursuit of a quality middle linebacker. Finally, a Cover 3 scheme would complement the skill set of Norman and Nicholson well, allowing Collins to roam the box and do what he does best, use his instincts and athleticism to make plays on the ball before the first down marker.