Coach Jay Gruden estimated last week that the Redskins utilized their base package on less than a third of their defensive snaps last season, and that reduces the need for an exclusive nose tackle. Barry plans on further de-emphasizing the position this season, Gruden said. As a result, he could lean more heavily on holdovers Chris Baker and Kedric Golston to play nose tackle in those limited circumstances where the team uses a three-man front. Baker is the starting left defensive end, but saw time at nose tackle when Knighton needed a breather, or was injured. Golston, meanwhile, served as a rotational player both at end and nose tackle.

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“The amount of times that you’re in base defense now with all the three-receiver sets and everyone throwing the ball, if you look at the numbers, it’s not that often,” Gruden said. “But you still need to have a big nose guard in there that can stop the run, and [Golston] can do that. He’s proven to do that. He’s a 12- to 15-play-a-game kind of guy. And when you’re in base defense, really you’re looking at about 20 percent of the time nowadays is all you are. So Kedric can do that. I think Chris Baker can play nose. He’s proven he can do that. I think Ricky [Jean Francois] can pop down in there and do some nose guard. We don’t really have a true two-gap nose guard like back in the old 3-4 systems. Kedric is the closest thing to it. And he can do it, but I think those other guys can fill in there and play and shoot a gap and play it effectively.”

Gruden later added, “We are kind of moving away from that, but there are times in the game where you do need to have a stout big fella, especially in short yardage, teams are running the ball [to] save the game and four-minute drill and all that stuff. But I think Kedric right now is a good answer and those other guys filling in will be fine.”

A diminished role for the nose tackle could allow the Redskins to more immediately address other needs on the defense in the draft.

Despite adding free agent Kendall Reyes to a defensive end group that includes Baker and fellow starting candidates Jean Francois and Stephen Paea, and backups Golston and Ziggy Hood, Washington still could pursue more youth and explosiveness in the draft.

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Meanwhile, outside linebacker seems to boast good depth and versatility with a healthy Junior Galette slated to join Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Trent Murphy, who also could see some time at defensive end.

Safety and the lack of youth and depth there ranks high on the team’s list of concerns, Gruden said, and cornerback also remains a question mark with veteran Chris Culliver coming off of reconstructive knee surgery.

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