For the last decade-plus, linebacker has been a weak spot for Washington. Despite having former linebackers in key roles on the coaching staff – Jack Del Rio (defensive coordinator) and Ron Rivera (head coach), there was not a lot of resources put towards the position. Rivera did “attempt” to upgrade the position by selecting Jamin Davis as the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, but he turned out to be a bust.
When Dan Quinn arrived, he and Adam Peters brought in Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Despite being a shell of his former self, Wagner was a key cog on the 2024 team who made it all the way to the NFC Championship game. Although he was a liability in coverage, his play between the C-gaps led him to an All-Pro season.
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Luvu also had a standout first season in Washington, starting all 17 games and setting career highs in sacks (8), passes defended (7) and quarterback hits (14). He also recorded an interception, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles on his way to being names a second-team All-Pro. Luvu’s play dropped off dramatically in 2025 on an injury-riddled defense, leaving questions as to how he will fit in with the revamped linebacking unit in 2026.
As an off-the-ball linebacker in Daronte Jones’ new defense, Luvu’s role remains a bit uncertain. He’s not a MIKE linebacker who will be on the field 100% of the team’s snaps. That role will go to Sonny Styles. I don’t see him as a run-and-hit WILL, as that position requires plus coverage skills which Luvu simply doesn’t possess. I don’t see him as a walked-up SAM in the under front Jones will be using, as that role may be perfect for Leo Chenal or K’Lavon Chaisson.
So how will Luvu be used?
Tyler’s Take:
First, I’d like to lay out what we guess will be the style of defense Jones may choose to play.
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From all we have heard so far, this new defense will be a hybrid 3-4 UNDER, which will feature three defensive lineman and four linebackers in base looks. However, as we all know, teams are in base looks roughly 30% of the time, so the “structure” of a true odd-front will probably be very minimal.
The base 3-4 UNDER hybrid uses a nose tackle who shifts to the strongside 1i (outside shade of the center). A 5 or 6i technique DE is over the tackle and a walked-up SAM LB as the strongside overhang who would play outside of the end man on the line of scrimmage. The 3-technique is lineup up over the outside eye of the weakside guard and the weakside EDGE is usually in a stand-up 7-tech.
When we are in sub-packages we will likely go to a four-down front with mixed alignments that vary on what the offense is trying to do. Jones has said in pressers that his goal is to line players up in different locations to go attack.
“It’s all about players first and scheme second. And so, based off of what our players can do, we will do. If players can’t do that, then we will put them in situations where they can be at their best.”
Seeing this quote from Jones and knowing where Luvu excelled during his first season with Washington in 2024, I see him being used as a “situational” chess piece that Jones will move around this defense to create pressures up front and help stop the inside run.
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He’s at his best when he’s moving towards the line of scrimmage, so on early downs I would expect him as an inside enforcer in one of the two middle linebacker spots. I can also see a lot of run blitzes called for him to shoot a gap and make a play behind the line of scrimmage.
This team now has a lot of guys who can get after the passer and Frankie can certainly be counted as one of them. Him not having to drop back into zone coverage or try to carry a tight end up the seam will benefit him. I can see him being used on green-dog blitzes where he can sort of choose his path to the quarterback based on if the back stays in to block or goes out as a receiver. Jones may also choose to use him as a spy against mobile quarterbacks on passing downs.
I also expect him to be off the field a lot more on 3rd and long situations that what we have seen the past two season. If we choose to play coverage and get after the quarterback with just a four-man rush, Luvu should be one of the guys on the sidelines.
Simply due to the talent around him, I don’t see Luvu as a 90-100% snaps per game player like he was in 2024-2025. I think his role will be defined by the teams we are playing and the strengths they possess.
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