Washington Commanders: Can Cole Holcomb take the next step?

Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb has been good his entire career. Can he finally take that next step in 2022 though?

Every year it feels like Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb is on the cusp of breaking out and becoming a star. He never quite gets there though. Is this the year he finally takes that step forward?

Holcomb has been on the team since they drafted him in the fifth round (173rd overall) back in 2019. Almost immediately he started making an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

In fact, Holcomb’s rookie year saw the University of North Carolina product rack up massive numbers. He finished the season with 105 tackles (six for loss), one sack, one pass deflection, and three forced fumbles in 16 games (15 starts).

The next season Holcomb only appeared in 11 games (10 starts) but still managed to make a few improvements. He put together 72 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one interception.

In 2021 we saw Holcomb appear in and start 16 games. He set new career-highs in a few categories too. Holcomb racked up 142 tackles (two for loss), one sack, seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and one touchdown.

You could argue that the dips in sacks and tackles for loss are reasons for concern. But Holcomb spent a lot more time in coverage in 2021. Is he phenomenal at it? No. But he’s not bad.

He possesses good speed and athleticism for the linebacker position and isn’t a constant mismatch nightmare.

Now in 2022, it appears Holcomb is going to be taking the lead on defense as the middle linebacker. Something that he hasn’t gotten to do in full yet due to Jon Bostic and then-rookie Jamin Davis (who moved outside later in the season last year).

Could this be the move that makes him a star? He can rack up the tackles and is fast enough to plug up running lanes. The coverage isn’t perfect but for a linebacker, we’ve definitely seen a lot worse.

With his athleticism and speed that’s an area that he can still improve on too. Given a chance to focus on it in the offseason (knowing he’ll be playing that role) might help.

If Cole Holcomb can take the next step, the Washington Commanders defense will be that much more dangerous. Can he do it though?

It feels like he’s been toeing the line since his rookie year really. With more stability and a role that might be perfectly suited for him – the odds should be favoring Holcomb.