Expect speed to be a big emphasis of new Redskins defense

Jack Del Rio is dialed in on defensive speed.

The Washington Redskins are getting a makeover on the defensive side of the ball under the supervision of Jack Del Rio.

And Del Rio has noticed one thing during his brief time away from the NFL — speed kills.

Del Rio told reporters earlier this week the emphasis offenses place on spreading things out means more speed is a must, per Zach Selby of the team’s official website:

“Del Rio on how the league has changed: there’s a lot more emphasis on spreading the field than when he was coaching with the raiders. There’s more of a need for speed on the defensive side of the ball. ”

Redskins fans know who has a lot of speed — Chase Young.

Young figures to be a marquee addition to the defense and speed is indeed one of the big facets of his game.

But this emphasis could also mean a slight roster purge of smaller players, while also a fixture of any free-agent adds or other players drafted.

And if nothing else, it’s comforting to hear this, right? It seems obvious, but Del Rio makes it sound like it might not have always been so obvious in Washington.

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