With free agency set to begin in one week, Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda previews the 2015 NFL free agent class. Today's focus is on the guards.
The Redskins made a pair of offseason moves last season to bolster their guard depth, signing veteran Shawn Lauvao early in free agency before adding Nebraska's Spencer Long in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
In 2014, Lauvao – who came to the Redskins after spending his first four seasons with the Browns – started 15 games at left guard alongside Chris Chester, who started all 16 regular-season games for the fourth straight season.
A countdown of the Top 10 images of Redskins guard Chris Chester during the 2014 season.
Lauvao missed the Redskins' Week 4 game against the New York Giants and was replaced in the lineup by former third-round pick Josh LeRibeus.
It was LeRibeus' first start as a Redskin after missing all of the 2013 season due to injury and conditioning issues.
Long, meanwhile, got a handful of snaps throughout the season and showed off his versatility in the season finale when he also appeared at tackle with the offensive line depleted by late injuries.
If the Redskins are in search of adding guards this offseason via free agency, here are the veterans slated to become free agents:
- Clint Boling, Cincinnati Bengals
- James Brewer, New York Giants
- James Carpenter, Seattle Seahawks
- Daryn Colledge, Miami Dolphins
- Willie Colon, New York Jets
- Dan Connolly, New England Patriots
- Vladimir Ducasse, Minnesota Vikings
- Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos
- Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ers
- John Jerry, New York Giants
- Mike Johnson, Atlanta Falcons
- Davin Joseph, St. Louis Rams
- Mike McGlynn, Kansas City Chiefs
- Erik Pears, Buffalo Bills
- Will Rackley, Baltimore Ravens
- Jah Reid, Baltimore Ravens
- Rob Sims, Detroit Lions
Iupati is widely considered the best free agent on the market at the position, as the five-year veteran is a three-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro during the 2012 season.
The Idaho product was drafted by the 49ers in the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft by current Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan.
He has started all 75 games he's appeared in.
Joseph is also a two-time Pro Bowler who can bring experience to any team, as the 31-year-old has started 112 games dating back to the 2006 season.
After seven seasons with the Buccaneers, Joseph played for the Rams last season.
Boling's first three seasons in the NFL were spent under Redskins head coach Jay Gruden when he was the offensive coordinator of the Bengals.
In four seasons, the Georgia product has appeared in 49 games.
McGlynn, meanwhile, spent time with the Redskins last offseason before being released prior to the season opener.
RELATED LINKS:
-- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Tackles
-- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Tight Ends
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