Ryan Kerrigan deserves Pro Bowl nod

To put it nicely, Washington’s defense has been underwhelming in 2014. The team currently ranks 27th in points allowed. Their defense is riddled with holes and undoubtedly needs to be an area of focus this offseason. With that being said, not everybody on the defense has underwhelmed. Ryan Kerrigan has been one of the few bright spots on the defensive side of the ball for the Redskins.

Since entering the NFL in 2011, Kerrigan has accumulated a total of 37.5 sacks. Until this season, he has never reached the quarterback more than 8.5 times. He tallied up 7.5 sacks during his rookie campaign and added 8.5 sacks during his 2012 and 2013 seasons. With two games remaining in 2014, Kerrigan is currently ranked 7th among sack leaders in the NFL with 12.5.

Kerrigan’s 12.5 sacks this season represent his best sack total as a professional, and that’s with two games left to be played. Ryan Kerrigan has the necessary skills to be more than just a pass-rusher, though. He also brings strong tackling and phenomenal football instincts to the table. Whether he’s batting down a pass at the line or stopping an offensive player short of the sticks, Kerrigan’s instinctive play often leads to him being in the right place at the right time.

A player could possess all of the physical tools in the world, but if he doesn’t know how to properly utilize them they will go to waste. In 2014, Kerrigan has finally discovered how to put it all together. His tremendous football IQ paired with his physical ability makes him a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. He is playing at a high level and has become a player that the defense can lean on.

Outside of getting to the quarterback, Kerrigan has also been a player that creates opportunities for turnovers. In years past, Kerrigan has taken interceptions the other way for touchdowns. While he hasn’t grabbed any interceptions this season, he has been able to force fumbles on 4 separate occasions. On top of his forced fumbles and sacks, Kerrigan has been a part of 56 tackles this year.

Compared to players at other positions, 56 tackles isn’t all that much. But for a player whose primary objective is to sack the opposing quarterback, 56 tackles is incredibly solid. Out of the top 10 sack leaders, Kerrigan ranks 4th in total tackles and 2nd in forced fumbles. This season has easily been his best as a pro and I firmly believe that he has developed into a top-tier pass-rusher.

Ryan Kerrigan is the best defensive player on the Redskins and one of the better defensive players in the league. He deserves a Pro Bowl nod and his play and statistics backup that sentiment.