3 Ron Rivera linked free agents who could alter Redskins 2020 NFL Draft plans

SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers and Daryl Williams #60 react prior to Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers and Daryl Williams #60 react prior to Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Gerald McCoy #93 of the Carolina Panthers pumps up the crowd in the second quarter during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Gerald McCoy #93 of the Carolina Panthers pumps up the crowd in the second quarter during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

1. Gerald McCoy, DL

Last, but clearly not least, on this list is defensive lineman Gerald McCoy. A standout at Oklahoma, McCoy was selected third overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then spent the next nine seasons with them before being released ahead of the 2019 campaign.

Still with plenty in the tank, McCoy landed with a divisional rival as he joined Ron Rivera and the Panthers on a one-year deal. He then started all 16 gamed and proved he could still bring the pressure in the passing game.

McCoy finished with 37 total tackles and had five sacks. In all, he now has 59.5 career sacks and 334 tackles. He’s a force in the middle of the defensive line and the Redskins could use someone who is just as good at stopping the run as he is pressuring the quarterback.

Adding him to the mix would give Rivera someone who already has a year in his system. With the Redskins needing a lot of work on that side of the ball, such an addition would be huge for them.

Washington has a lot of young talent on the roster and McCoy could be a good mentor for them. It would also allow them more time to develop the younger guys, rather than feeling pressured to add defensive linemen in the draft.