The Redskins needs help on the defensive front. The team struggled against the run throughout the 2016 season, and the defense struggled in particulr on third downs.

Knowing the franchise needs to invest in defensive linemen, the Redskins met and interviewed a number of prospects during the week leading up to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., including Auburn's Montravius Adams and Alabama's Dalvin Tomlinson. Both players would help the 'Skins up front, and though Tomlinson is the higher rated prospect, neither player should last past the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

When the team spoke to Tomlinson, it's interesting one of the questions that came up. A 6-foot-3, 312 lbs. force up front, Tomlinson emerged in his senior season for the Crimson Tide.

"I spoke to them," Tomlinson said of the 'Skins staff in Mobile. "They just wanted to make sure I could affect the quarterback at any time in the moment and have a great conversion to pass rush."

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With his size and production at Bama, it's clear Tomlinson can help against the run. In 15 games he registered 62 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and forced a fumble to go with 3 sacks. Asking about his pass rush ability could mean the 'Skins want to know if he can play all three downs in a 3-4 system. It can't hurt that the final game of his 'Bama career, Tomlinson dropped Clemson's Deshaun Watson with a big hit in the national title game.

On the NFL level Tomlinson believes he can play over the center or further down the line, and is working to show that to scouts at the Senior Bowl. His strengths as a player start with plugging the run, but don't end there.

"I'm great at stopping the run because at Bama we were one of the top run defenses. Also collapsing the pocket on the inside. You have to collapse the pocket to allow the quarterback to step outside the pocket so the outside guys can get a rush on the quarterback, and if he stays in the pocket, you get a sack," he explained.

Chris Baker established some interior pressure for the 'Skins this season, but now a free agent, it's uncertain if he will return to the Burgundy and Gold. Even if Baker comes back, pairing him with Tomlinson could actually be a big boost for the veteran's career.

Some projections put the Tide lineman in the second round, others the third. With his size and ability, it's unlikely he lasts to the third day of the draft. Multiple sources said the Redskins would like to take a defensive lineman with the 17th overall pick assuming the draft board agrees, so it will be a serious investment in the trenches if they go D-line with two of their first three picks.

Whether or not Tomlinson lands with the 'Skins, he said he enjoyed talking with the Washington brass. He models his game after players like Marcell Dareus and Courtney Upshaw, and believes he can make an impact on an NFL roster.

Much of that belief comes from playing for Nick Saban at Alabama.

"It’s intense," Tomlinson said of playing for Saban. "He’s going to push you to the potential he sees in you."

After dealing with injuries in his four seasons at Bama, the opportunity to perform in Mobile will help his draft stock considerably. With a good week at the Senior Bowl in front of a wide collection of NFL scouts and coaches, Tomlinson is one step closer to that potential.

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