Free Agency 2022 Preview: Linebackers

Washington’s 2021 linebacker group as a collective was underwhelming. Even if you looked at individual performances, nobody stood out from the linebacker group that suggested Washington has star potential. In October, veteran Jonathan Bostic was hurt with a torn pectoral and was placed on injured reserve.  As a rookie, Jamin Davis struggled to put things together from both a mental and physical standpoint. Cole Holcomb has a motor, but as a linebacker, he has been inconsistent in pass coverage and his run defense, which brings questions about his ceiling and how high it is. 

Washington needs a leader at the linebacker position who will communicate effectively amongst the defense and put Jamin Davis in proper positioning on the field to make plays. Let’s look at some free agent linebacker options for Washington to consider. 

WFT pending Free Agents

During his stint in Washington, Bostic, the primary middle linebacker, is 30 years old heading into free agency. He will likely be allowed to explore his options in free agency; however, do not rule out a summer or training camp return for him, providing a favorable injury update because Washington still needs depth and not just a starter. 

Linebackers Jared Norris (UFA), Jordan Kunaszyk (RFA), and Jalen Jelks (ERFA) have combined for 16 games played in 2021, 12 snaps, and seven tackles, so don’t expect much action between these three linebackers or interest from Washington. 

Potential Free Agent Targets for Washington

Christian Kirksey is a 29 year old linebacker who played for the Houston Texans in 2021. The eight year linebacker had stints with Cleveland and Green Bay before joining Houston in 2021. Kirksey missed four games this season due to COVID-19 and a fractured thumb but finished tied second on the team with 93 tackles on 789 snaps in 13 games. 

Anthony Walker Jr. is a 26 year old linebacker who spent last season with the Cleveland Browns. The fifth year linebacker started his career with the Indianapolis Colts and now enters free agency after one season with the Browns. Walker Jr. has had 112 tackles on 701 snaps in 13 games, missing three games in 2021 due to a hamstring injury. Walker had experience playing alongside Colts star linebacker Darius Leonard where he averaged about 100 tackles a season when he became a full-time starter. Walker’s biggest strength comes in the run game and will help solidify the front seven in its run fits.

Kwon Alexander is a 27 year old linebacker who was with the New Orleans Saints in 2021. Before playing in New Orleans, the seven year pro had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. Undersized, playing at 220 pounds, Alexander is a quick, agile linebacker who plays with the needed physicality to compete and win in the trenches. He’s dealt with plenty of injures in his career, including a torn ACL in 2018, torn pectoral in 2019, torn Achilles in 2020, and an elbow injury that sidelined him for four games in 2021. That is the risk Washington will assume if they were to sign Alexander. However, when on the field with the Saints, Alexander was effective in accumulating 50 tackles, four sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 535 defensive snaps. 

Kenny Young is a 26 year old linebacker who spent last season with the Denver Broncos. The fourth year pro previously spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams before joining Denver through a trade. Young is another athletic linebacker with the right size to compete on a down-to-down basis, compared to Alexander, who suffers in this aspect. Washington will benefit from his speed and quickness but may struggle with the physical traits of the position. He played 13 games between Los Angeles and Denver in 2021 and played a total of 261 snaps with the Broncos. 

Best option

This offseason, Walker Jr. may be the best option for the Washington Commanders if they decide to pursue veteran possibilities. He has the size and athletic ability to play sideline to sideline and the mental aptitude to communicate, diagnose, and play fast at the snap of the ball.