Redskins.com breaks down the Redskins' roster position-by-position and identifies potential need areas. Up next: defensive ends.
The Redskins' front seven in 2010 is dependent on the team's philosophy moving forward. Will the defense run a 3-4? A 4-3? Or a hybrid of the two?
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is not saying just yet, although signs point to a 3-4.
So it's important to note that some of the players listed at this position could be eventually listed as linebackers.
One player affected could be Andre Carter, who at 6-4 and 253 pounds has the versatility to play either defensive end in a 4-3 or a linebacker in a 3-4.
Last year, Carter played defensive end and turned in one of his best seasons, both in terms of stopping the run and rushing the passer.
He posted 91 tackles, a team-high 12 tackles for a loss, and his 11 sacks tied him with Brian Orakpo for most on the defense.
He also had 46 quarterback pressures to lead the team, seven passes defended and three forced fumbles.
In a three-game stretch last October, Carter had perhaps the best stretch of his career when he posted 30 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Phillip Daniels does not appear to have the same versatility of Carter, but he could also fit in on either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.
Daniels, who at age 37 is entering his 15th NFL season, is a classic run-stopping end.
Last season, Daniels started all 16 games despite suffering a biceps injury in Week 5. He logged 46 tackles and one sack.
Last July, the Redskins added Jeremy Jarmon in the third round of the NFL Supplemental Draft.
Jarmon earned a roster spot and saw playing time as a backup right away. He showed promise despite his inexperience.
Jarmon played in 11 games and posted nine tackles and a forced fumble. His season came to an end, though, after he suffered a knee ligament injury in a Week 12 game at Philadelphia.
Rob Jackson, the Redskins' seventh-round draft choice in 2008, was promoted from the practice squad to replace Jarmon on the roster.
Jackson played in four games and posted one tackle.
Renaldo Wynn was signed to add veteran depth, but he ended up inactive most of the season. He saw action in one game, recording one tackle.
POSITIONAL ANALYSIS
Carter re-emerged as one of the better defensive ends in the league last season. Will he switch to linebacker in 2010?
He previously played linebacker in San Francisco and admitted he didn't like his role in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme. It's one of the reasons Carter ended up leaving San Francisco.
Will Carter adjust to a new role under Jim Haslett? Time will tell.
Daniels entered the off-season as an unrestricted free agent, but he quickly re-signed with the club.
His size, skills and experience fit in well in any defense, but he is 37 years old and obviously not a long-term solution.
Jarmon and Jackson could find themselves learning to play linebacker in a 3-4--not always an easy transition.
Wynn is an unrestricted free agent. He does not appear to be in the Redskins' plans.
Three NFL Defensive Ends Eligible for Free Agency
As of March 16, 2010; names listed are in no particular order
-- Cory Redding, Seattle Seahawks: Redding is a 7-year vet with 18 career sacks. At the University of Texas from 2000-03, he played alongside current Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and offensive linemen Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams.
-- Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints: Released by the Saints this offseason, Grant has been a reliable starter since 2002. A cousin of Phillip Daniels, he has 47 career sacks and 16 forced fumbles.
-- Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings: Edwards is a restricted free agent tendered at the highest level, but he is a young, emerging talent. He had a career-best 8.5 sacks last year and added four sacks in two postseason games.
Three Defensive Ends Available In NFL Draft
As of March 16, 2010; names listed are in no particular order
-- Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida: Regarded as the top defensive end in the draft, Pierre-Paul would appear to have some question marks. He transferred to South Florida from junior college and played just one season, posting 45 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
-- Carlos Dunlap, Florida: Dunlap had a decorated career at Florida, including earning Defensive MVP honors in the 2008 BCS National Championship game. In two years as a starter, he recorded 18.5 sacks for the Gators.
-- Brandon Graham, Michigan: Graham was a standout at the Senior Bowl and he could be slotted to play either defensive end or linebacker in the pros. He posted 20.5 sacks the last two years as a starter for the Wolverines.
