Defensive Line Free Agency Preview

March 17, 2020

By Noonefromtampa

[EDITOR’S NOTE: We should have run this on Friday. The tardiness is not Noone’s fault.]

The defensive line is not expected to a focus of free agency for the Redskins, even with the team’s conversion from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense. The Redskins return Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Da’Ron Payne, and Tim Settle, with Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan moving to a down lineman role.

Overall, the defensive line group is one of the strongest segments of the free agent market. There are over 90 defensive lineman hitting free agency, with some very notable names and some up and coming players also.

Top Tier Players

Danny Shelton, Patriots

Leonard Williams, Giants

Yannick Ngakoue, Jaguars

Richard Quinn, Cowboys

Jadeveon Clowney, Seahawks

Vernon Butler, Panthers

Dontari Poe, Panthers

Derek Wolfe, Broncos

Shelby Harris, Broncos

Jordan Phillips, Bills

These are the big-name players that will make the splashy news when the free agent signings start. I don’t expect the Redskins to make any moves against this group of players with the new regime in place. The Redskins have other areas of need and don’t need to spend big money on a premier defensive lineman.

Update, as of the evening of Monday, March 16, 2020

Michael Brokers to Ravens on 3 year, $30 million deal

Javon Hargrave to Eagles on 3 year, $39 million deal

Shaq Lawson to Dolphins on 3 year, $30 million deal

Arik Armstead re-signed by 49ers on 5 year, $85 million deal

Chris Jones, Chiefs place non-exclusive franchise tag

What Players may the Redskins target?

The Redskins could go either with a veteran player for leadership or a younger rotational type player. Neither of these two scenarios would require a significant amount of dollars to be invested. The veteran players the Redskins might consider could be Gerald McCoy, who played for Coach Rivera in Carolina, and Vinny Curry from the Eagles. These players would be situational and not every down, but would provide some savvy leadership to a young position group. The younger rotational type players that the Redskins might consider could be Quinton Jefferson from the Seahawks or Emmanuel Ogbah from the Chiefs. Both of these players would be in the $3M to $5M per year range.

Conclusion

Don’t be surprised if the Redskins do not sign any defensive lineman in free agency or just make a lower tier signing after the initial wave of signings is over.