With The First Pick
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Which NFL units have the biggest question marks?

By jonfox

May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel leaves the courtroom with his sister Meri Manziel after he makes his first appearance at the Frank Crowley Courts Building on his misdemeanor assault charge. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel leaves the courtroom with his sister Meri Manziel after he makes his first appearance at the Frank Crowley Courts Building on his misdemeanor assault charge. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) lines up against Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Paea (90) in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) lines up against Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Paea (90) in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Redskins defensive line: The Redskins put a lot of resources into reinforcing their secondary. Even at corner, which didn’t need much talent, got Josh Norman and a 3rd round pick invested in it. Their defense was effective at creating turnovers and sacks in 2015, sometimes, but when they couldn’t do this they were pretty horrible.

They were 25th in passing yards given up, which could be explained by teams getting into their 4 minute offense in the 2nd half to try and come back from a big(ish) Redskins lead. However, they were also 26th in rushing yards given up and 31st in rushing yards per attempt given up in 2015 which cannot be explained by context. Their running defense was just bad last season.

Fast forward a few months and the Redskins put a lot of effort into fixing their defense. Josh Norman got a massive contract, Junior Galette who missed all of 2015 with a leg injury-was brought back for 4 million. Their 2nd and 3rd round picks were defensive backs.

But they saw Jason Hatcher and Terrance Knighton walk(or were pushed out the door). Only Kendell Reyes and Matt Ioannidis(5th round pick) were brought in to reinforce their defensive line. Trent Murphy was told to bulk up so that he could play the 5 spot for the line.

And they needed more than backups. Which a projected startling line of Murphy-Paea-Baker and a hybrid line of Preston Smith-Paea-Baker-Kerrigan, they needed at least 1 starting caliber run stopper on the line or their defensive stats vs the rush probably aren’t going to improve.

Next: Baltimore OL

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