DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: QUINTON DUNBAR

In 2018 – before getting injured during the Redskins fifth game – Quinton Dunbar was the Redskins’ best cornerback. He received no credit from fans or the media.

- Chris Russell

A mysterious nerve and shin contusion never fully went away. Dunbar missed two games, returned for part of a home blowout against Atlanta, missed another few games before returning against Dallas on Thanksgiving. He was clearly not right and then did not play again the rest of the year.

This year, “Dunny” as he is referred to by teammates and others overcame a knee injury early in the season, missing two games against Dallas and Chicago to come back with a vengeance. There was no holding back. There was no question. He’s the best individual defensive player the Redskins have and he’s an amazing success story.

A former wide receiver as late as 2015, the D in Dunbar stands for defense. Dunbar is our choice for 2019 Warpath Defensive Player of the Year.

It really started in organized team activities when Dunbar was a full participant in team drills, unexpectedly. He told reporters in May that both he and the Redskins medical staff knew exactly what was wrong and were able to fix it. Perhaps it was just time to heal instead of trying to come back?

Football is obviously a tough sport to play if you can’t run, especially when you’re taking on 4.4 receivers. As a corner, you have to cut, close and explode. Dunbar tried and it wasn’t good enough, which lowered the expectation level for this year. Then he got hurt again, early.