For Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, much of his time spent coaching in the NFL has involved an elite defense. More than that, much of his time has been spent working with an elite-level pass rusher.
In Carolina with the Panthers, Del Rio was part of the staff when they drafted Julius Peppers with the No. 2 overall pick in 2002. In 2012 with the Denver Broncos, Del Rio showed up a year after the team drafted Von Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in 2011. And just years later in Oakland, Del Rio came in a year after the Raiders drafted Khalil Mack No 5 overall in 2014.
It’s safe to say that Del Rio knows the importance that dominant pass-rushers play on defense.
“Having a guy like Von Miller or a guy like Khalil Mack, who are premier pass-rushers, they put a lot of pressure on the offense and help the defense,” Del Rio said, via ESPN.com. “It all starts for us with the penetrative, disruptive defensive linemen.”
This trend with Del Rio and dominant defensive lineman makes it all but a lock that the Redskins draft Chase Young out of Ohio State with the second overall pick in 2020. Young is thought to be an elite talent, and one of the best defenders to come out of the NCAA in several years. His upside is through the roof, and some are saying he’s a future Hall of Fame player, should he be placed into the right system, and under the right coach.
It’s hard to argue that there’s a more perfect fit than Del Rio. His history at coaching the position speaks for itself — three elite talents at the pass-rushing position, three likely future Hall-of-Famers.
Washington will have the chance to draft the fourth in April.
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