But the free agency and the draft came and went without the Redskins having made dramatic moves along the defensive line. And so, as they report for training camp at the end of the month, a big question continues to loom: Do the Redskins have enough talent on the unit to expect significant improvement?

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For now, the starting lineup remains undetermined. Baker, who recorded 53 tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles (all career highs), returns as the left end, and a mix of new and familiar faces (some with redefined roles) will compete for key roles.

During offseason practices, longtime Redskin Kedric Golston served as the primary starter at nose tackle, while Ricky Jean Francois (entering his second year with the team and eighth in the NFL) and free agent addition Kendall Reyes alternated at right end. Jean Francois and Ziggy Hood (signed to a modest deal in January) also saw time at first-team nose tackle.

Meantime, fifth-round pick Matt Ioannidis and Leon Powe brought up the rear at that position. Trent Murphy, who this year moves from linebacker to defensive end, and 2015 practice squad member Corey Crawford received snaps at the end positions on the second and third units. Stephen Paea, who battled injury after signing with Washington in the 2015 offseason, remains in the mix. But he received permission to miss the last two weeks of offseason work to tend to personal matters.

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The Redskins have bodies, for sure. But it’s unknown how many of them are difference-makers.

Jean Francois could wind up helping solve that question. He took on a larger role late last season with Hatcher hobbled, and he made quality contributions stopping the run. One of the quicker Redskins linemen, he also aims to make a bigger impact as a pass rusher this season. Already one of the more vocal members of the locker room, Jean Francois aims to take over as a starter this season after serving as a rotational player last season.

However, Reyes will try to convince coaches that he’s the better option. But it’s hard to say which Reyes the Redskins will get this season: the guy who had 10.5 sacks for San Diego from 2012-13, or the player who mustered just three sacks in the past two seasons?

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It’s also hard to say how much Golston has left in the tank as he enters his 12th NFL season. However, Washington’s coaches don’t plan to use the nose tackle with great frequency this season, so that limited snap count could help keep the longest-tenured member of the team fresh enough to get the job done while Ioannidis learns the ropes.

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If Paea can regain his six-sack 2014 form, and if Murphy can make a smooth transition to end and continue to play well against the run like he did as a linebacker, Washington should have good depth.

But for now, coaches have a lot of ifs and no sure bets. Players have much to prove this training camp and preseason.