Fansided

10 NFL preseason Week 2 winners

By Ian Wharton

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 2018. Washington Redskins defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (98) and defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) walk onto the practice field during training camp. (Photo by: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 2018. Washington Redskins defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (98) and defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) walk onto the practice field during training camp. (Photo by: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

5. Washington Redskins Front Seven

The Washington Redskins have spent significant assets over the last three draft classes to overhaul their defensive front seven. The group caused havoc throughout their Week 2 matchup with the New York Jets, notching two sacks and shutting down their running game. 2018 first-round pick Da’Ron Payne earned his first sack, headlining the evening for the unit.

The Jets were missing two starters along the offensive line, but it’s not as if either Kelvin Beachum or Brian Winters are All-Pro caliber. 2017 first-round pick Jonathan Allen, Payne, and 2015 second-rounder Preston Smith had Same Darnold uncomfortable throughout the first half. They also limited the Jets’ top-two running backs to a measly 14 carries for 39 yards.

Smith’s in a contract-year and primed to make an effort to best his career-high eight sacks in one season. With Matt Ioannidis and Ryan Anderson joining the aforementioned youth, and veteran Ryan Kerrigan, this is an ascending group. The Redskins should considerably improve upon their dead-last run defense last season with more talent devoted to the front seven.