Washington Linebacker Expectations and NFC East Roundup

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June 14, 2024

by David Earl

Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner, and the Linebacker Room

Entering the 2024 offseason, Adam Peters’ top priority (maybe second behind the offensive line) was to fix a horrific linebacker group. This group provided poor production over the last few seasons, as Washington lacked a true middle linebacker and suffered greatly against the pass. From Jamin Davis not translating into the first-round pick Ron Rivera envisioned him to become and Cody Barton allowing a passer rating of 101.3, this group lacked an impactful player for quite some time. Peters identified the deficiencies of this group and made immediate changes that completely reshaped this group.

  • Frankie Luvu: He’s a 6 year veteran and a dynamic off-ball linebacker. He allowed a completion percentage of 60.7% last season in Carolina and gave up a quarterback rating of 94.8. His speed and instincts give Washington a rusher at the position they’ve lacked for quite some time. That said, his aggressive play has led to a higher missed tackle rate (12.6%) than you’d like to see. Luvu will take poor angles at times.
  • Bobby Wagner: What can be said about the ageless wonder? In his 12th year in the league, Wagner amassed 183 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a missed tackle rate of 4.2%. While his coverage grade is not great – he allowed a passer rating of 114.9 last season – his side line to side line ability and instincts during the play remain a strong part of his game. Wagner is a natural leader this defensive group has greatly lacked and will be a great mentor for the younger players, especially Jamin Davis in his prove-it season.
  • Jamin Davis: Davis has much to prove after the team declined to pick up his 5th-year option as he simply has not lived up to the invested 1st-round pick on Davis. He has been this group’s best coverage linebacker thus far allowing a quarterback rating of 101.3 with a completion percentage of 65.8% against last season. As an indication of his role heading into the 2024 season, head coach Dan Quinn said, “we’re trying to push him specifically on the versatility”. Quinn further stated, “So, you’ll see him working some with the defensive line, you’ll see him working with [pass rush specialist] Ryan Kerrigan on the side, and we’re adding parts to his game that maybe we didn’t use and we’re certainly trying to explore that.” It’s been no secret just how underutilized Davis was in the last four seasons but Quinn seems to have a plan to take advantage of Davis’ overall dynamic athletic profile off the edge.

The rest of the group comprises of a developmental rookie in Jordan Magee and journeymen who will, besides add depth, be of value on special teams. Led by Bobby Wagner, this group will certainly be a far more athletic and intelligent unit than what Washington has pieced together lately. The one aspect of a Dan Quinn defense is how he utilizes each player’s specific strengths and overcomes any glaring weaknesses schematically as well as anyone. With the lack of a true edge rusher on the defensive line, Davis and Luvu should see plenty of time in the backfield rushing the passer, much like Micah Parsons from Dallas.

NFC East Quick Roundup

Philadelphia Eagles:

  • Wide Receivers Locked and Saquon Barkley Signed: Devonta Smith signed a three year, $75 million extension while A.J. Brown was also rewarded with a 3 year extension worth $96 million. Smith and Brown were already part of a very potent and dynamic offense, but the Eagles were not completely satisfied. The Eagles also added Saquon Barkley in free agency. He certainly showed a decline from the 2022 season, averaging 4.4 yards per rush to 3.9 the following season. Barkley is certainly the wild card here – was it the offensive line and the scheme that resulted in his drop in production or has Barkley passed his prime? Unfortunately for the rest of the division, even if Barkley is passed his prime, he still has enough left to run behind a great offensive live and skill position cast around him.
  • Defensive Collapse: During their 10-1 start last season, the Eagles’ defense, allowed 21.7 points per game only to allow 30.03 points per game in the final 6 games. With an offense that seemed to have stalled during this time, the Eagles lost all momentum heading into the playoffs losing to Tampa Bay in round 1. Adding edge rusher Bryce Huff should fill the void of Hassan Reddick well; plus, Devin White still has some tread left to be impactful. The biggest area addressed in the offseason was a terrible secondary, as they brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who led this defense in interceptions 2 years ago, and took secondary help in the draft by taking secondary help with their first two picks in corner Quinton Mitchell from Toledo) and corner Cooper DeJean from Iowa.
  • Going Forward: In my opinion, the Eagles did enough to rectify their late-season collapse, including some coaching staff changes. I do believe the loss of offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, who best served as a quarterback coach who helped Jalen Hurts in his MVP-level season one year prior, will be missed by Hurts. Outside of that, this team is primed for not only winning the division but another run to a potential Super Bowl birth.

Dallas Cowboys:

  • Dan Quinn Gone: The loss of Dan Quinn may very well be a rather large loss for the Cowboys. His will certainly be felt. Mike Zimmer is not a bad defensive coordinator by any means, but what Quinn did for an underachieving defense was nothing short of remarkable. During the 2020 season before Quinn’s arrival, the Cowboys defense managed 10 interceptions only to more than double that number under Quinn with 26. In 2020, the defense generated 0 defensive touchdowns from interceptions compared to the 2021 season in which they finished with a total of 5. The defense not only improved under Quinn but became one of the top units in the league nearly overnight.
  • Slow Offseason: The Cowboys virtually did nothing this entire offseason, with the biggest signing being running back Ezekiel Elliot, who is past his prime. With head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott in the final year of their respective deals, the message surely seems like a rebuild is on the horizon.
  • Going Forward: Although fielding one of the game’s top wide receiving threats in CeeDee Lamb, with Tony Pollard gone and questions about the offensive line, the offense seems poised to take a step back. Mike Zimmer will still keep the defense playing well but I don’t see them having nearly enough to overtake the Eagles in the division.

New York Giants:

  • Last Chance for Daniel Jones: Daniel Jones will have much to prove after signing a 4 year $160 million contract extension two years ago. Starting only in only 6 games last year before injury, his 3.8% interception percentage and 1.3% touchdown percentage were well on pace as the worst of his career. The Giants have an offensive line that’s a work in progress, but added one of the best wide receivers in the draft in Malik Nabers. Beyond that, there is not much to admire offensively, especially with the exit of running back Saquon Barkley. It’s an uphill climb for Jones and the front office didn’t do much in helping the situation.
  • Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale Gone: Another Washington rival lost a prominent defensive coordinator. How big of a loss with this be? The Giants’ defense allowed 23.9 points per game and 361.7 yards per game, which was near the bottom in the NFL. In 2023, they did have 18 interceptions, which was ranked 2nd in the league, but only had 34 sacks, which was in the bottom half of the league. The addition of edge rusher Brian Burns to team up with defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, plus the veteran defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, will go a long way towards the Giants being able to control the trenches. They should generate enough pressure and negative plays to assist a relatively young secondary. The Giants’ worst enemy could very well be a Daniel Jones-run offense.
  • Going Forward: The Giants have far more questions than answers, which probably puts general manager Joseph Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll on the hot seat entering the 2024 season. If this season goes the way I believe it will, it would be tough to see both returning next season, although Schoen could very well come out still standing. In my opinion, it’s almost certain that the Giants will finish last in the division and be in a prime position to draft a new franchise quarterback in next year’s draft.