Free Agency Preview: Middle Linebackers
February 6, 2020
by Steve Thomas
This is the second column in our 2020 free agency preview series. Jamual Forrest previously wrote about available quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers (click here to read). We will hit all of the position groups prior to the start of free agency. This week’s focus is inside linebackers.
With the Redskins’ transition out of the base 3 – 4 defense that they’ve used since the start of the Mike Shanahan era back to a base 4 – 3, the team all of a sudden finds itself in dire need of linebackers. The leader of last year’s linebacker group, Jonathan Bostic, is an unrestricted free agent. The only other true middle linebacker on the roster right now is 2018 fifth round draft pick Shaun Dion Hamilton, although he’s not an ideal starter for a number of reasons. Ryan Anderson has the size, but middle linebacker probably isn’t his destiny, either. Former 49er Reuben Foster is the most talent linebacker on the roster, but (1) he’s recovering from a severe knee injury in which he tore three ligaments and has only recently seen had the feeling in his foot return, putting his availability in question, and (2) he’s probably more suited for the strongside outside linebacker position, not the middle linebacker. So, the Redskins are in a pretty dire circumstance at this position, and they should absolutely look to free agency for a starter and probably draft someone as well. We’ll address draft prospects later on this spring; for now, let’s dive into free agent candidates.
Age is a factor to me; I’ve automatically excluded anyone over the age of 32. I’ve excluded players who are principally 3 – 4 inside linebackers and do not have pro experience as 4 – 3 middle linebackers, although I did list a few of those players separately below. That’s not to say that the Redskins won’t look at players in both of those categories, because they might. This is my list of who I think would be good for the Redskins, not necessarily every linebacker on the market. For those wondering, the most obvious name given new head coach Ron Rivera’s past with Carolina, Luke Kuechly, announced his retirement shortly after the end of the regular season. I’m sad to say that this class is very small, thin on talent, and principally loaded with players who are more suited to the 3 – 4 system.
Realistic starting MLB candidates
Joe Schobert (Browns) – Schobert, who is 6’1” and 245 pounds and ran the 40 yard dash in 4.76 seconds and did 22 bench press reps at the 2016 Combine, is probably the top true, experienced middle linebacker available. He was drafted in round four out of Wisconsin by the Cleveland Browns, where he has spent his entire career thusfar. Schobert has played in 61 games, starting 49, including all of the last 3 years. He has only missed 3 games due to injury. Schobert has a total of 408 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 6 interceptions. He was selected to participate in the 2017 Pro Bowl. For reasons unknown, the Browns have shown little interest in retaining him and are reportedly willing to let him leave Cleveland. Schobert isn’t known as an outstanding coverage linebacker, but he is a playmaking signal caller and would make a good addition to the Washington defense. There will likely be competition for Schobert’s services, so the Redskins will have to pay a premium. All of the top 10 inside linebackers in the NFL have contracts worth at least $9M per year in average annual value, and the top 15 are at $7M and up. Given that, Washington will probably have to make an offer of more than 5 years / $50M to have a shot at Schobert’s services.
Jonathan Bostic (Redskins) – Bostic, who stands 6’1’ and weighs 245 pounds, is the “lack of better options” candidate. He obviously spent last year in the Redskins’ 3 – 4 system, but has at times played a 4 – 3. Bostic started all 16 games last season, making 105 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Should be Redskin either miss out or choose not to pursue Schobert, Bostic is probably their next most realistic choice. He played last year on a 1 year contract, so while there may be competition for Bostic’s services, it likely won’t be near Schobert’s level.
Reggie Ragland (Chiefs) – Ragland, who is 6’2” and 252 pounds and ran the 40 yard dash in 4.72 seconds at the NFL Combine, was the Buffalo Bills’ second round pick out of Alabama in 2016, but was traded to Kansas City for a fourth round pick prior to the 2017 season. He spent most of his four year career as a 3 – 4 inside linebacker, and in fact was traded by Buffalo specifically because the coaching staff felt he was not a fit for the 4 – 3; however, Ragland did serve as the starting middle linebacker in the Chiefs’ 4 – 3 system (which they didn’t play in very much) this past season. He missed the entire 2016 season with a knee injury. In his career, he has played 42 games, starting 32, with 159 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception. The Redskins obviously have a significant Alabama presence on their roster, particularly on defense, so perhaps Ragland might be a fit in Washington.
Available starting-quality 3 – 4 inside linebackers
The 3 – 4 inside linebacker market is much better, so if the Redskins think one of these players can make the switch, perhaps they make a run at one of them.
Cory Littleton (Rams) – He is the star of the inside linebacker class, such as it is. An undrafted free agent out of the University of Washington standing 6’3” and weighing 228 pounds, Littleton has spent his entire 4 year career with the Rams, playing in 64 games and starting 37 in the Rams’ 3 – 4 system. Littleton has 315 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 6 interceptions, and was a Second Team All-Pro and Pro bowl selection in 2018. He’s known as one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. The Rams are cap-limited, so it’s unclear whether they will make an effort to keep Littleton or apply a franchise tag. If he hits the market, he will certainly command a 5 year deal near the top of the market, most likely in the range of $15M per year in average annual value.
Blake Martinez (Packers) – Martinez, 6’2” and 237 pounds, was selected out of Stanford by the Packers in the 4th round of the 2016 draft. During his four years in Green Bay, he’s played in 61 games, starting 57, and has 512 tackles, 10 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He led the NFL in tackles in 2017. Despite the tackling numbers, he’s known as a better coverage linebacker than he is as a run stopper.
Danny Trevathan (Bears) – Trevathan, 6’0” and 239 pounds, was a 2012 sixth round pick by the Denver Broncos out of Kentucky. He spent 4 years with the Broncos before signing with the Chicago Bears in 2016. In his career, he’s played 96 games, starting 77, and has 609 tackles, 9 sacks, and 8 interceptions. Trevathan did spend some time in the Broncos’ 4 – 3 system from 2012 – 2014, but played as an outside linebacker during that time. He spent the latter half of the 2019 season on injured reserve, but is nonetheless considered to be one of the top 3 – 4 inside linebackers on the market and should command a premium contract.
Other Possibilities
Nick Kwiatkoski (Bears) – 6’2”, 243 lbs. The backup to Trevathan who got playing time when Trevathan went to IR.
De’Vondre Campbell (Falcons) – 6’4”, 232 lbs. The Falcons’ starting weakside ILB who had 129 tackles in 2019. He came out of the game in passing situations.
As you can see, this is a thin market without many obvious solutions to the Redskins’ need at this position. It’s certainly possible that the Redskins may take a flyer on a player who isn’t a starter or a well known player, or someone who doesn’t have a 4 – 3 background, but the truth is that the team probably needs to look to the draft to find a long-term solution.