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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Kendall Reyes' Versatility Should Mesh Well With Redskins

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The first outside free agent signing for Scot McCloughan during the 2016 free agency period, Kendall Reyes has the ability to play several different techniques along the defensive line.

As Scot McCloughan continues to build up the Washington Redskins from the inside-out, the second-year general manager made his first free agency splash on March 11 with the signing of defensive end Kendall Reyes.

Reyes -- a 6-4, 300-pound lineman -- spent his first four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he recorded 126 tackles with 13.5 sacks and seven passes defensed.

Like so many of his new teammates, Reyes will likely be asked to play in several different positions across the defensive line.

McCloughan is confident he can handle it.

"You know what? He's versatile," McCloughan told "Redskins Nation" host Larry Michael at the NFL Owners Meetings. "He can play a little three-tech, little five-tech, maybe stand him up a little bit. He's an athletic guy, and the thing that's really good about having Joe Barry as our D-coordinator, he coached him in San Diego, so he's has hands-on (experience) the kind of person he is, the kind of work ethic he has, the kind of passion he has for the game. And he gives us versatility. Again, he's going to be a guy that's going to help us this year."

Last season, the Redskins tapped deep into their defensive line rotation.

While starters such as Chris Baker and Jason Hatcher totaled more than 540 defensive snaps, others like Ricky Jean Francois, Stephen Paea and even Kedric Golston saw significant action, too.

Together, the defensive line also formed perhaps the most tightly-knit unit on the team, just one of the many positives to an NFC East-winning season.

The Washington Redskins announced on Friday, March 11, 2016, the signing of free agent defensive lineman Kendall Reyes. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

"The thing that's really good about the way our organization's going since I've been here is positive – positive," McCloughan said. "So, on the outside looking in, people are seeing positives. And the verbiage from the outside of the people talking about us is a positive."

While Reyes certainly has the potential (2012 second-round pick) and youth (26 years old) on his side, the University of Connecticut standout's production was better during his first two seasons than his last two seasons.

In his last two seasons, Reyes has just three sacks in 32 appearances with 30 starts. During his first two seasons he totaled 10.5 sacks despite only starting 20 games.

Signed to a one-year deal with the Redskins, Reyes believes new scenery and a prove-it situation should pay off in 2016.

"I definitely feel like I've got a lot to prove and I just want to thank the Redskins for giving me this opportunity," Reyes said. "and I'm definitely excited for this year and this is just the change that I needed."

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