ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Ryan Anderson #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide recives the deffensive player of the game after winning 24 to 7 against the Washington Huskies during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Ryan Anderson was a second round pick for the Washington Redskins. He looks like a solid starter for the team.

Ever since the departure of Brian Orakpo, the Redskins have struggled to find an answer at outside linebacker across from stud Ryan Kerrigan. It appeared last season as if Trent Murphy could be that answer, but his season ending injury in the first week of the preseason leaves more questions about who will play a role in the pass rush rotation.

Second round pick Ryan Anderson is, simply put, mean. He plays with a ferocity that more than makes up for his somewhat limited athleticism and length. He is incredibly physically imposing for a true 3-4 outside linebacker, looking just as muscular as his Alabama teammate Jonathan Allen, a defensive tackle.

In addition to rushing the passer, the outside in the Redskins defense are responsible for setting the edge against the run, funneling backs towards the inside where additional tacklers await. While Anderson may not have the flashiness of pass rush specialists at his position, he is an absolute monster against the run.

Watching preseason Week 1 against Baltimore, Anderson stuck out immediately. My notes simply read “Ryan Anderson ATTACKS blockers.” He set a hard edge and was willing to lower the boom on any individual silly enough to get in his way.

In one instance, at the 9:57 mark of the 1st quarter, the Ravens ran an off tackle power directly at Anderson. Both the center and the left guard pulled, leading the running back outside. Anderson violently launched into both blockers, knocking them off course and allowing Zach Brown and Deshazor Everett to stop the back for no gain. This was the most notable of multiple examples of Anderson dominating against the run.

Junior Gallete has incredible quickness and at the very least will play a role in the Redskins third down defense. But given Preston Smith‘s underwhelming sophomore campaign, a role for an early down edge setter is open. Injuries have marred the Redskin’s edge rushers; in addition to the loss of Murphy, Gallette, Smith and Anderson himself have all suffered minor injuries at varying points this preseason. Assuming Anderson can get healthy come September 10, and hopefully sooner, he could be a much needed addition to the team.