ASHBURN, Virginia -- The Washington Redskins' defense hasn't been in this position in a long time. As in decades. The players are young and talented. And because it's the spring, the optimism can't be punctured.
They added three first-round picks -- one in free agency; another through a late-season waiver claim; and a third in the 2019 NFL draft.
Washington likely will have at least seven -- and possibly eight -- starters who are 25 years old or younger on defense. Of that age group, five were first-round picks. They haven't had this sort of youthful defensive base in the past 20 years.