What LB Cody Barton brings to the Washington Commanders

Breaking down what the Commanders are getting in their new linebacker

The Washington Commanders addressed one of their needs in free agency by signing offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, but they also signed former Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton to fill another hole. The Commanders have lacked linebacker depth and Barton, signed on a one-year deal, could provide depth but also challenge for a starting role, especially if Cole Holcomb leaves in free agency. Barton, listed at 6-foot-2, 237 pounds, was drafted in the third round by the Seahawks back in 2019 and has been quietly developing behind the likes of Bobby Wagner before getting his chance to play regularly in 2022. 

He’s an intriguing signing for Washington as he offers plenty of upside. He tested very well at the combine back in 2019 and that testing translates to the field when watching him. He’s a good athlete at the linebacker position that can cover a lot of ground, similar to Davis and Holcomb in that regard, but still has untapped potential due to his lack of playing time. His one-year deal is a sign he’s betting on himself to put together a strong season and pick up a bigger contract this time next year. 

So what are the Commanders getting in Barton? Let’s take a closer look:

Run game

In the run game, what immediately stands out is Barton’s athleticism and range. Despite typically aligning in the middle of the field, he has the range to work to the sideline and chase down runs to the edge. 

Here are two good examples of Barton’s range. On the first play of the clip, the Falcons run an outside zone scheme to the right. The Seahawks use a run stunt up front that confuses the blocking scheme and allows Barton to roam freely. He takes full advantage of that by charging down the back as he works to the edge and making the tackle for a minimal gain. The second play of the clip is pretty similar, but this time the 49ers run a zone play to their left, with a fullback adding into the equation too. The defensive end crashes inside into the left tackle and the left guard gets slightly caught up trying to climb, leaving Barton a free path to the back. Just like in the first play, he makes use of that freedom and chases down the running back to make the tackle on the edge for another minimal gain.

Having that type of range when kept clean is obviously a big asset to have at linebacker. In those situations it’s all about being athletic enough to match the running back as they work to the outside. Without that athleticism, the back might be able to turn the corner and create an explosive play, so to cut that off before it becomes a threat is a big plus. But Barton’s game isn’t all about pure athleticism. He has some solid instincts and feel for fitting the run and reading how blocks are being set up.

On this play, the Falcons call an inside zone windback play, where it starts off as an inside zone run but with the intent for both the fullback and running back to wind the run all the way back behind the left tackle. Barton aligns on what initially is the back side of the play, which means when the run winds back, it's coming towards him. As the ball is handed off and the two backs begin to wind back, it would be easy for Barton to see the lane inside and instantly step up to try and make a play there. 

However, that is bait for him to get him pinned inside. Instead, he reads the body language of the fullback and can see him winding back towards the edge. He trusts his fellow linebacker to make a good read and fall back into the inside gap, so he falls back himself and works outside. Once outside, he attacks the outside shoulder of the fullback to try and reestablish the edge and force the running back to gain depth as he’s spilled outside. Now Barton could do a better job of making the tackle and saving a few yards here, and that's a fairly consistent theme in his play, but the key point to focus on here is the read and understanding not to just fly into the open gap but identify the correct position to fill.

Defending the run is very much a team game rather than an individual game. Yes there are individuals who can blow up run plays by breaking through blocks and making plays in the backfield, and the Commanders have plenty of those on the defensive line, but understanding how to fit runs so that every gap is covered is essential to consistent run defense. So Barton showing a good understanding of fits is encouraging, especially with the defensive line in Washington that can penetrate, forcing the linebackers to adjust if they get it slightly wrong. 

I think another good example of this came in that same Falcons game.