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Commanders season opener in 30 days: Washington’s best No. 30

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 30 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 30?

Two players deserve mention of those in Washington history wearing No. 30.

LaRon Landry (2007-2011) was the 6th overall selection by Washington in the 2007 draft. The former LSU Tiger started all 64 games at safety of those he played with Washington in his five seasons. Landry intercepted four passes, defended 33 passes, forced six fumbles, recovering five. Credited with 383 tackles, Landry collected 291 solo tackles and 92 assisted, including 16 tackles for a loss. He also registered 20 quarterback hits as well as 5.5 quarterback sacks. After Washington, Landry had one season with the Jets, in which he made the Pro Bowl, and two with the Colts.

Brian Mitchell (1990-99) was the greatest player in Washington history to wear No. 30. Mitchell, a college quarterback at Southwestern Louisiana, was drafted 130th overall by Washington in the 1990 draft. Mitchell made an immediate impact when in the first preseason game, Mitchell returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. In the 1991 Super Bowl championship season, Mitchell led the NFL in punt return yardage (600 yards) and touchdown returns (2).

In the 1992 season, Mitchell had a huge playoff game at Minnesota when he rushed 16 times for 109 yards (6.81 ypc), one rushing touchdown and returned three punts for 70 yards averaging 23.3 yards a return. In the 1999 playoffs, Mitchell returned the opening kickoff for the second half 100 yards for a touchdown.

In his ten Washington seasons, Mitchell returned seven punts and two kickoffs for regular season touchdowns, averaging 11.0 yards on punt returns and 22.8 on kickoff returns. Mitchell was the NFL leader in All-Purpose yards four seasons (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998). He was All-Pro 1st team in 1995 and 2nd team in 1991 and 1994.  He led the NFL in punt return average in 1994 with 14.1 yards per return.

For Washington, Mitchell rushed for 1,751 yards averaging 5.0 a carry, scoring 9 touchdowns. He also caught 232 passes for 2,087 yards, three touchdowns and 81 first downs. Mitchell was voted one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins in 2002 and into Washington’s Ring of Fame.