ASHBURN, Virginia — After an uneven 2016 season, the club now known as the Washington Football Team needed a major shakeup on defense. Despite scoring nearly 400 offensive points, Washington went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs because it allowed 378 yards per game and 5.8 yards per play. Enter a forceful Washington defensive line with Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and a revamped defense over the past five years.
Overhaul of Washington’s defensive front
That shakeup began the following April with the selection of defensive end Jonathan Allen 17th overall.
Perhaps by design, perhaps not, that pick began an incredible run on defensive front players selected by Washington. WFT took a defensive lineman in the first round in four straight years: Allen in 2017, Daron Payne in 2018, Montez Sweat in 2019, and Chase Young (the draft’s second overall pick) in 2020.
It is fair to say that the approach worked. WFT made the playoffs in 2020 on the backs of a ridiculous defense in general and an absurd front four in particular. That aforementioned quartet combined for 21.5 sacks and 38.5 tackles for loss.
And yet, Sweat said Tuesday [August 10] after the team’s final training camp practice ahead of its preseason opener, that the group is only scratching the surface.
Chase Young and Montez Sweat: record-breakers?
Sweat wants to combine with Young to break the NFL’s record for sacks by two players on the same team. “We talk about it all the time,” Sweat said.
To save you some Googling, that record, we believe, is held by Chris Doleman and Keith Millard, who combined for a staggering 39 sacks on the Vikings in 1989.
That figure probably won’t ever be touched. Quarterbacks simply get the ball out too quickly these days for that kind of sustained onslaught.
Washington returns stacked defensive line in 2021
But it would be foolish to doubt much else about what WFT is capable of defensively this year. The team has most everybody back from a group that, including the postseason, ranked tied for second in yards per play allowed last season (5.0) — a figure that trailed only the Rams.
WFT’s defense was 11th in yards per rush (4.3), tied for third in yards per pass (6.0), third in opponent passer rating (81.4), and tied for fifth in scoring defense.
If there is a potential weakness, it’s at linebacker. Gone are Thomas Davis (retired), Mychal Kendricks, and Ryan Anderson (Giants). There’s not a ton of depth at the position.
But Jack Del Rio has plugged first-round pick Jamin Davis into the starting middle linebacker spot, and the team seems to be pleased with his progress. With Davis in the fold, expect Jon Bostic to slide to the outside. Plus, Cole Holcomb returns after 7 tackles for loss in 2020.
Meanwhile, the defensive backfield has the potential of great things with a healthy Landon Collins, William Jackson, and Kendall Fuller. And they shouldn’t have to cover long with the four high draft picks getting after the quarterback in front of them.
Throw in Matt Ioannidis, who is back after missing all of 2020 with a bicep injury, and the WFT has a ridiculous defensive front.
Super Bowl in the cards for Washington this season?
So, while the offense — particularly the quarterback position, even with Ryan Fitzpatrick — will continue to be a question mark, Washington players are talking in terms seldom heard recently in these parts.
“I think this is as talented a team as I’ve seen here in my six years,” Ioannidis said. “Collectively, this is the most balanced team. I think we’re pretty strong across the board. We’ve got good depth. I feel confident. I feel encouraged watching these guys play.”
What is the next step for this franchise?
“The Super Bowl, right?” Ioannidis quipped.
We’ve sure come a long way in five years.
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