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5 breakout stars to watch for Washington Redskins in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Redskins interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Redskins interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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There’s a new head coach in D.C. as the Washington Redskins look to rebound from a forgettable 2019. Which up-and-coming performers could help this season?

It’s a franchise that has fallen steadily since winning the NFC East with a 9-7 record in 2015. The Washington Redskins managed an 8-7-1 mark in 2016, posted a pair of 7-9 campaigns the following two years and then this past season, dropped their first five games, dismissed head coach Jay Gruden and finished an abysmal 3-13 record.

Now it’s Ron Rivera to the rescue. Ironically, he was fired during his ninth season with the Carolina Panthers following a home loss to these Redskins. On Thursday evening, this club owns the second overall pick in the draft. They could go a number of different directions. But it’s also worth noting this team has already been very busy this offseason in terms of free agency and trades. So when it comes to the players that are actually on the roster at the moment, which five performers will step up in 2020?

5. LB Cole Holcomb

The 2019 fifth-round pick from the University of North Carolina certainly made an impression on his team. Holcomb played in all 16 games and made 15 starts. He finished third on the club with 101 defensive stops, to go along with one sack and three forced fumbles. He also added four tackles on special teams as well. He’s very much in the mix for a starting job in coordinator Jack Del Rio’s new 4-3 alignment.

This offseason, the Redskins added a pair of linebackers in Thomas Davis, who played for Ron Rivera in Carolina and led the Los Angeles Chargers in tackles this past season, as well as Kevin Pierre-Louis (Chicago Bears). Holcomb figures to benefit from presence of the savvy Davis.

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