Commanders want to get ‘deeper’ at linebacker after failing to draft one

At Washington’s rookie minicamp, Commanders coach Ron Rivera gave his first impressions of seeing the team’s recent draft class up close for practice. First-round wideout Jahan Dotson was “solid as advertised,“ Rivera said. Third-round running back Brian Robinson “moves well for a big guy,” he added. And fourth-round safety Percy Butler? “Wow that dude can flat out run,’ Rivera beamed. 

But when Rivera met reporters, the coach also talked about the position that Washington didn’t draft — a position the team still needs.

“If we’re looking at one position, it is gonna be linebacker,” Rivera said. “We’d like to get a few more guys to be a bit deeper there.” 

A year ago, the Commanders used their first-round selection on linebacker Jamin Davis. But after a rough rookie season for the 23-year-old, Washington’s coaches admitted that Davis’ future with the Burgundy and Gold would be perhaps better suited as an outside linebacker rather than on the inside. That leaves Washington in search of a middle linebacker, a spot could be filled internally or by signing someone else.

On the roster, Washington has Cole Holcomb and veteran David Mayo as options to start in the middle. Both served as the defense’s “MIKE” — the linebacker who relays the play calls — for stretches over the course of the season, and Rivera has said Holcomb, in particular, will get “the opportunity to continue there.” 

But Rivera left open the possibility that Washington will fill the spot through free agency. Last year, Washington found its starting left tackle in May after the Chicago Bears surprisingly released Charles Leno. Two days later, the Commanders signed Bobby McCain, who became their starting free safety. 

“Last time I looked, kickoff is the second weekend in September,” Rivera said. 

Rivera, though, expressed a desire to add a veteran presence at the position. Mayo has been in the league since 2015, and Holcomb is entering his fourth season. Reserves like Khaleke Hudson (2020 draft) and Jordan Kunaszyk (2019) also have experience. But Washington lacks someone like Jon Bostic, the nine-year journeyman who actually started the year for the Burgundy and Gold before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 4. 

Bostic, now a free agent, remains unsigned. There are plenty of other veteran middle linebackers still on the market such as Alexander Johnson, Joe Schobert and A.J. Klein. Klein even fits the criteria that likely will appeal to Rivera: The linebacker has played for the coach before. Klein, 30, spent his first four seasons with Carolina before stints with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. 

So far this offseason, Washington has signed four outside unrestricted free agents. Three of them — defensive end Efe Obada and guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell — previously played for Rivera in Carolina.

While Washington may not have drafted a linebacker, the team did add Notre Dame’s Drew White and Idaho’s Tre Walker as undrafted free agents. White and Walker both were college linebackers, though remain longshots to make the roster for now. Counting on either to start would be unrealistic.

That leaves Holcomb — a player whom Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew have touted over the past few months. Rivera said he reviewed Holcomb’s tape at the end of the season and said he was impressed. Mayhew told reporters in March that Holcomb’s presence made it so there wasn’t “tremendous urgency” to add a middle linebacker. 

Holcomb, 25, started 16 of 17 games last season. He led the team with 142 tackles and two interceptions. Holcomb took over as the MIKE after Bostic’s injury and remained in the role until Washington pivoted to Mayo late in the year to give Holcomb an opportunity to play outside linebacker.

“Last year (Holcomb) took a huge step forward,” defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio told the Commanders’ Julie Donaldson. “He really played very well. In fact, a lot of the guys who are getting a lot of the (publicity) around the league, he played as well or better than.

“So I would say don’t sleep on Cole Holcomb. He’s a pretty good football player.”

As for Davis, Del Rio said Washington is searching for more consistency from their former first-rounder. “It wasn’t a great rookie year,” he added. But Del Rio said he saw flashes — noting that if someone were to compile 30 “splash plays” from Washington’s defense, they’d come away with the impression that Davis is a great football player. Del Rio said with more experience, he anticipates growth from Davis in Year 2. 

“You’ll see a little more of that athletic ability come to the forefront,” Del Rio said. 

It just might not come from the middle.