Washington Redskins: Defensive line unsettled, which is a good problem

The Washington Redskins have struggled on the defensive line for years. Now, things appear to be trending in a positive direction under Jim Tomsula.

All offseason, the Washington Redskins and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula have refused to anoint first-round pick Jonathan Allen as a starter on the team’s revamped defensive line. It’s not an indictment on Allen — he’s been terrific — but more of a way for the coaching staff to create more competition amongst the players.

It’s working, too, according to veteran defensive tackle Phil Taylor via Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

"“It just truly shows that we’re a unit and we’re all going to play,” Taylor said."

Head coach Jay Gruden expressed a lot of confidence in his new defensive line coach this offseason when discussing personnel. Reporters specifically asked Gruden about Washington’s failure to land a top-tier nose tackle to plug in the middle of the team’s 3-4 defense. Gruden didn’t flinch, per John Keim of ESPN.com:

"Coach Tomsula has assured me that he will find a nose guard, and he’ll make a nose guard. If you look at his track record, you look at the nose guards he’s had, none of them have been priority first-round draft choices. He’s made nose guards. He coaches that position extremely well, and I have faith that he’ll do that."

During training camp this summer, Tomsula has moved players around and refuses to name his top group. Taylor, a former first-round pick who has been out of the league the last few years, has alternated between the starting lineup and the second team this summer. He has split time with young journeymen Joey Mbu and A.J. Francis. Mbu could become Tomsula’s latest find at nose tackle. Star offensive tackle Trent Williams has certainly taken notice.

There’s been so much talk about Allen, Taylor and Mbu that we’ve heard very little about free-agent signees Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee. One week into training camp, the duo was finally on the field together.

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Then, there are promising second-year players, Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier. Coaches love Lanier’s physical ability, but Ioannidis has made more impact plays this summer. Ioannidis can play end in base packages and slide inside on passing downs. He’s created several problems for Washington’s offensive line this summer.

Veteran Ziggy Hood will make this roster, too. Hood played well last season and started out of necessity. He will be better playing fewer snaps. Hood is an outstanding veteran presence for the d-line.

Now, back to Allen. The rookie from Alabama has looked the part this summer. Not only does he not look like a rookie, he’s already gotten stronger since the offseason workouts. While Tomsula will certainly move players around to keep the group fresh, Allen will play. And play a lot. The Redskins haven’t had a potential difference-maker up front in years. Allen provides that.

Washington certainly doesn’t have a ton of known qualities along the defensive line. The team is betting big on McClain and McGee, combined with Allen, being better than last year’s group. With Tomsula in charge of this group, there’s a strong chance that comes to fruition. In recent years, the Redskins lacked talent up front. Not only did they lack talent, they lacked depth. For as much as Kedric Golston was beloved in D.C., he shouldn’t have been on Washington’s roster the last two years.

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Finally, the Redskins have some talent on the defensive line. And, even better, Washington has the ideal coach to get the best out of this unit and that could go a long way in making the Redskins a better defense in 2017.