Over the past three seasons, the Washington Redskins have done their due diligence addressing their once bothersome defensive line.
In years past the unit consistently ranked near the bottom of the NFL in Sacks, quarterback hurries and routinely were pushed around at the end of games. Over the past several seasons the numbers gradually got better but the unit was still not seen in league circles as a disruptive group.
Those days may have come to an end as the Redskins are ushering in a young and talented defensive line unit.
Washington drafted Matt Ioannidis in the fifth-round out of Temple in 2016. He spent some time during his rookie year on the practice squad and came back last year stronger and more disruptive. He was having a solid campaign until a hand injury and injuries to the other lineman slowed down his season.
The Redskins drafted Alabama products in the first round over the past two years in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
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Like Ioannidis, Allen was having a strong start to his rookie campaign until a lisfranc (foot) injury derailed his rookie season.
With the addition of Payne from this years draft, the Redskins now have three frontline players that could form a nice combination for years to come.
That has not gone unnoticed by Coach Jay Gruden who today from the INOVA Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park, spoke about Ioannidis returning from an injury he sustained in the teams preseason opener against the New England Patriots and his pairing with Allen and Payne.
“Well, I think when you have base out there, you have three defensive linemen out there,” Gruden said. “He’ll [Ioannidis] be one of the three most likely so he fits in right there. When you go sub, I think he’s a great sub in there with Jonathan and Payne. Three guys that can all rush the passer pretty good and they’re all strong against the run. Last year we gave up some big hits in our sub packages in the running game and I think with Matt, Jonathan and Payne, whatever combination we use of those three, I think we’ll be a lot more stout against the run. You know, I think he just adds to the mix, keeps everybody fresh and strong.”