NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
Washington had high expectations on the defensive end in 2021, which led to immense disappointment. In 2020, Washington had a unit that ranked 2nd against the pass. The dominant unit only allowed an average of 191.8 passing yards per game.
2021 was a different story as they allowed an average of 254.9 passing yards per game ranking 29th. While they ranked 8th in rush defense, the unit was 22nd in total yards per game and 25th in points allowed per game.
Here are Washington’s defensive grades.
*All player grades/statistics are via Pro Football Focus
Edge: C+
Chase Young and Montez Sweat were supposed to take the league by storm. The reigning defensive rookie of the year managed a grade of 87.1 in 2020, ranking 5th best in the league among edge rushers. That grade dropped to 75.1 in 2021. While Young wasn’t bad by any means, many were hoping he could build off of his rookie season more than he did.
Montez Sweat is an athletic freak and has shown great potential to be a premier edge rusher. Much like Young, Sweat’s grades also dipped in 2021. His pass-rush grade of 66.2 was significantly lower than last year (77.5). While injuries to both defenders cut their season short, their play this season was disappointing.
Defensive Tackle: A-
No one has benefited more from Rivera and Jack Del Rio than Jonathan Allen. His grade over the past two seasons skyrocketed from 2019. Two years ago, his grade barely scratched the surface of a backup at 60.5. In 2021, his 84.9 grade ranked 3rd best in the league.
Daron Payne’s play since entering the league has been somewhat lackluster never crossing a grade of 70 or higher in four seasons. He has moments/games that show his potential but fails to string them together consistently. Yet again Ioannidis and Settle provided great depth to the position, helping boost the grade to an A-.
Linebacker: F
Two years in a row of dreadful play from the linebackers. There isn’t much to say about this group, but show their grades:
Cole Holcomb: 56
Jamin Davis: 44.6
Jon Bostic: 34.4
David Mayo: 42.9
Landon Collins played many different positions this year but did well when Washington moved him to play more at linebacker. When moving positions (weeks 7-18) he managed a grade of 63.8 as opposed to his 51.9 in weeks 1-6.
It will be interesting to see what Rivera does to solve the issue at linebacker this offseason. Hopefully, after a disappointing rookie season, Davis will improve in 2022.
Cornerback: C+
This group got off to a rocky start to begin the season. Fuller struggled in the slot until he got pushed outside after St. Juste’s season ended due to injury. William Jackson immediately looked like an awful free agent signing having a 46.8 grade in weeks 1-9. However, he too turned it around in the second half of the season managing grades of 77+ in three of his last four games.
Danny Johnson and Darryl Roberts provided good depth and stepped up when others went down due to injury. With the way the season ended, this unit shows promise going into 2022.
Safety: B-
Much like cornerback, this position made you want to turn your head anytime an offense threw it deep. Their biggest issue was miscommunication, which they seemed to figure out later in the year. Bobby McCain and Kamren Curl both ended the season with respectable grades hovering around 70.
The depth is a problem they will need to look at this offseason. Reaves struggled and Collins will be more at linebacker. They drafted Darrick Forrest in the 5th round, but he only saw 26 snaps this whole season, 20 of which came in week 18.
