Week One Defensive Starters

Like I said in my last post, trying to name the Redskins day one starters before the draft or free agency is over is hard, but because of the lack of cap room and lack of high draft picks we can assume most of the week one starters are already on the team.  This week I will list the week one defensive starters.

Left Defensive End (LE) - Adam Carricker - Our defensive took a big hit when Carricker pulled his triceps in the first game last season.  He is very good against the run and is a better than average pass rusher.  I think he will come back to his performance in 2011.

Nose Tackle (NT) - Barry Cofeild - Cofeild is one of our most consistant starters the last two years.  He had played defensive tackle the first five years of his career and last year was his second year as a nose tackle.  You could tell that during the last half of last season he was finally feeling comfortable with the new position.  I believe he will have a break out year next year.

Right Defensive End RE) - Stephen Bowen - Bowen is a more then serviceable defensive end.  He is really good against the run and has a decent passrush and can occupy blockers so others can get to the quarterback.  

Left Outside Linebacker (LOLB) - Ryan Kerrigan - I feel this year will be Kerrigans break out year.  No one in the league put more pressure on the quarterback last year than Kerrigan. He will get quicker off the snap and develop a counter move and will be unstoppable.  And with Orakpo on the other side he won't face many double teams.

Middle Linebacker (MLB) - London Fletcher - Mr. Ironman.  Never missed a game in his career.  He is getting old but his football knowledge more than makes up for it.  He will have another solid year before he retires.

Middle Linebacker (MLB) - Perry Riley - Riley had a good year last year.  He needs to get better at shedding blocks outside the tackle box and get better in coverage.  He made great strides last year and I believe he will continue to do so.  He will be our starter for years to come in the middle.

Right Outside Linebacker (ROLB) - Brian Orakpo - I pray that he can stay healthy all year.  He is an amazing talent but needs to stay on the field.  I think he can surpass 15 sacks this year and will drastically improve our defense.

Corner Back (CB) - DeAngelo Hall - Hall took a lot of heat last year for poor play.  But if it wasn't for his steller game against the Cowboys we wouldn't have made the playoffs.  I think that he has rededicated himself and with more help at the safety position I think he will have a decent year.

Corner Back (CB) - Josh Wilson - Like Hall, Wilson took a lot of heat as well.  He was burned a lot last year but as fans we do not know who's fault it was, his or the safeties.  My bet is the safeties.  I think he bounces back and has a decent year.

Free Safety (FS) - Phillip Thomas - The first and only rookie that I predict we will draft and start.  Thomas is a ball hawk.  He led the NCAA in interceptions last year and displays great ability to play the safety position.  And to top it all off he is a life long Redskins fan.

Strong Safety (SS) - Brandon Merriweather - We didn't get to see much from Merriweather, but the half of a game he played last year before injury he was all over the place.  If healthy I believe he can contribute a lot to our defense.  He is very aggressive and really good against the run.  Hopefully he just stays healthy.