Ryan Kerrigan

Kerrigan has been the picture of consistency for a Washington franchise that's otherwise been a scattered mess throughout his nine-year tenure, but he finally showed some chinks in the armor last season when he missed four games and finished with a career-low 5.5 sacks. The 2011 first-round pick remained effective as a pass rusher with 14 QB hits in 12 games, and his 76.7 percent snap share was right in line with his rates from the previous three seasons. However, it isn't clear Kerrigan will have the same role in 2020, after Washington used first-round picks on fellow edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young in the past two drafts. Young, in particular, figures to handle a ton of snaps, potentially leaving Sweat and Kerrigan in a rotation at the other spot.

One of the few reliable pieces on an injury-prone roster, Kerrigan has started all 16 games in each of his eight NFL seasons, recording least 33 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles every year. His tackle numbers dropped the past three seasons, but there's little reason to complain given that he notched 37 sacks in that stretch. While he never seems to get recognition as a top pass rusher, the 30-year-old will be harder and harder to ignore as he moves closer to the top of the NFL's all-time sacks list. Currently sitting at 84.5, Kerrigan should reach the century mark by 2020 unless his excellent medical record takes a turn for the worse.

Already with 71.5 sacks before his 30th birthday, Kerrigan has consistently been a pass-rushing force for the Redskins since the team drafted him in the first round prior to the 2011 season. Just as impressive is the fact that Kerrigan hasn't missed even one of the 112 regular-season games Washington has played since that time. However, this durable dominance hasn't consistently translated to the IDP realm considering Kerrigan has only two career top-25 IDP finishes among linebackers in standard scoring. There are better options for your fantasy team.

While his tackles have dipped each of the past three years, Kerrigan continuously proves to be one of the top outside linebackers in the league. A Pro Bowl selection last season, he finished the year with 33 tackles, 11 sacks, two passes defended and two forced fumbles in 16 games. He enters his seventh season as the undisputed leader on a revamped defense that will look to turn things around after a disappointing 2016 campaign. While offseason elbow surgery will be something to keep an eye, there's no reason to assume the veteran won't register double-digit sacks for the fourth straight year.

Kerrigan recorded 42 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2015, giving him at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons. While he was rested often between games last year as he recovered from offseason knee surgery and mid-season hand surgery, Kerrigan should be fully recovered and stronger heading into 2016. He also will have more protection this year with a healthy Junior Galette and more experienced Preston Smith drawing attention on the Redskins' defensive front.

Kerrigan continued to show improvement in his fourth season as a pro, recording a career-high 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He has been very consistent over the course of his young career, playing every game and registering 50-60 tackles and a minimum of 7.5 sacks each of his four seasons. The Redskins replaced defensive coordinator Jim Haslett with Joe Barry, but he’s still expected to play OLB and primarily rush the passer despite the change.

Kerrigan has been a very durable player during his three years in Washington, although he underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL this offseason. He is expected to be healthy for training camp, but it wouldn't be surprised if he was limited early. That being said, he should be healthy for the regular season and he's coming off arguably his best season in the NFL, when he registered 66 tackles, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. With 23.5 sacks in the last three seasons, Kerrigan could make the leap into double-digits this season.

Kerrigan recorded a 8.5 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 2012. He should improve those numbers if Brian Orakpo (shoulder) can return to form and force offenses to spread their blocking.

Kerrigan was impressive as a rookie last year – arguably just as good as the more acclaimed Brian Orakpo – showing no trouble transforming himself into a 3-4 outside linebacker after playing exclusively as a 4-3 end at Purdue. Kerrigan finished with 63 tackles (41 solo), 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown. Considering how dominant he was in college and how promising his play was as a rookie, it’s only reasonable to expect improvement out of Kerrigan. Anything less than double-digit sacks in 2012 would be a disappointment.

The team's first round draft pick in 2011. The team will convert the defensive lineman to an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. This is the same conversion Brian Orakpo had to go through. Expect some ups and downs this year as he learns a new position. He has good strength and speed and there is no reason to believe he won't be successful.