The Redskins were transparent in their desire to upgrade the defensive line because of their porous run defense last season. That’s why they drafted Daron Payne and Tim Settle.
But part of the team’s difficulty against the run had to do with their linebacker depth.
For the last half of the season, starter Zach Brown dealt with a variety of lower body injuries. Mason Foster, the other starting inside linebacker, was placed on injured reserve in October. Both injuries affected their run defense.
So given that, the Redskins need someone to take a step forward this offseason among their reserves at inside linebacker.
When Brown missed last Wednesday’s practice because he was moving, 2017 seventh-rounder Josh Harvey-Clemons got snaps alongside the starters in nickel.
The Redskins drafted former Alabama linebacker Dion Shaun Hamilton in the fifth round.
Washington also has Zach Vigil and Martrell Spaight at the position.
“Our depth chart is in flux right now,” Gruden said. “We’re just going to look at guys in different spots, try to get guys reps and get the defense taught, and then we’ll start to have the competitions once we get the pads on.
“The big thing is just to get them taught, lined up, and Josh Harvey will play in there, Shaun Dion, get him up to speed, [Jerod] Fernandez, free agent from N.C. State, we’ll get him up to speed. Obviously [Zach] Vigil is back, so we’ve got a lot of guys to choose from.”
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