The Washington Commanders acquired a franchise left tackle by trading a package of draft picks to the Houston Texans for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil. Here are five things to know about the team's newest offensive lineman.
1. He was the best offensive tackle prospect in his high school class.
Given how successful Tunsil's career has been over the past nine years, it shouldn't be a surprise that he was a highly-coveted high school athlete.
Tunsil was a two-sport athlete at Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida, playing football and competing in track and field as a shot putter. Most of his success, however, came on the football field as a two-time All-State offensive lineman who helped his team, which averaged 275 rushing yards per game, advance to the FHSAA Class 6A quarterfinals during his senior year.
"Laremy is a special player and he has a chance to make a major impact in football," then-Columbia head coach Brian Allen said of Tunsil. "He's always trying to get better every day. He's strong and he's fundamentally sound. He's got all the tools you need to be one of the best."
Tunsil, a five-star recruit, was ranked as the top offensive tackle in the 2013 high school class, and he wasn't lacking for interest from colleges. He received offers from every school in the SEC. He was originally interested in Florida, Georgia, Florida State, Alabama and LSU but switched his attention to Ole Miss after a visit to the school's campus.
Tunsil went on to have a stellar career with the Rebels, earning three All-SEC team nods and two All-American selections. During his junior year, Ole Miss averaged just one sack per game with him in the lineup as he helped the team earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State.
2. He's incredibly successful against Myles Garrett.
Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett is regarded by many as the best at his position and just got the contract to go with it, as he signed a four-year contract extension that includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money. That same player has had trouble getting past Tunsil when the two meet on the field.
In fact, no one has been better at containing Garrett than Tunsil since he was taken 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2016. Throughout his 40 matchups with Garrett, Tunsil has allowed a pressure rate of just 2.5%, according to NextGenStats. The second-best player with a minimum of 40 pass-blocking snaps is Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley, who has allowed a 9.9% pressure rate.
But Tunsil's history of negating Garrett goes back to their college days. Their matchup was one of the biggest storylines of Ole Miss and Texas A&M's matchup during the 2015 season. Tunsil was considered the victor and held Garrett without a sack in Ole Miss' 23-3 win over the Aggies.
The Commanders entered the offseason with protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels as one of their top priorities. Based on his history against a future Hall of Famer, they got one of the best options available.
3. He keeps quarterbacks upright.
Speaking of which, quarterbacks generally don't have to worry about much when they have Tunsil in the lineup.
Tunsil has been a solid player throughout his career, but he's been particularly good over the last three seasons, earning three Pro Bowl selections during that span. Two of his best three grades as a pass protector from Pro Football Focus have come in that period, as he earned a 91.7 for allowing just one sack in 2022 and an 88.6 in 2024 for giving up two sacks.
But Tunsil's talent for protecting quarterbacks goes further than just allowing sacks. Since 2022, Tunsil has allowed a 3.1% pressure rate, which ranks third best among offensive tackles.
Daniels did well under pressure with 11 big-time throws, tied for ninth-most in the NFL, during his rookie year but was still sacked 47 times. The Commanders added Tunsil to help reduce that number and give Daniels a clean pocket. He had the eighth-best passing grade last season under such circumstances.
4. The trade made waves in the NFL.
The move between the Commanders and Texans was an unexpected one, as reports of the trade began emerging on social media not long after the legal tampering period opened on March 10. The Commanders, who advanced to the NFC Championship last year, made an aggressive move to acquire one of the best offensive tackles in the sport and shore up a serious position of need; so, naturally, the move made waves around the NFL.
"Tunsil is a dog, bro," **said Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.** "That's the one that really stuck out to me amidst all the craziness. That one, definitely for sure."
Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons had a more simplistic, yet no less effective, way of expressing his feelings about the trade.
"Wtf," **he posted on X.**
Meanwhile, reporters generally praised the move by Washington to acquire Tunsil. **Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer gave the Commanders an “A,****”** saying "the veteran tackle immediately becomes a key leader of the line with plenty of high-level play left in him ahead of turning 31 in August." **The Athletic gave the Commanders an “A-” for elevating their personnel at offensive tackle.**
Although it might have cost Washington valuable draft capital, the belief is that the player is worth the cost and raises the offense's ceiling.
5. The Commanders are trying to maximize their offensive potential.
The Commanders found their franchise quarterback last year when they drafted Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick. Daniels outperformed expectations, which were already high, and led the Commanders to their first NFC Championship in decades, turning the franchise into one of the hottest teams in the league.
General manager Adam Peters and the Commanders believe they have a realistic opportunity to get to, and possibly win, a Super Bowl in the near future, and they must supply Daniels with as much help as possible to do so.
Washington's trade for Tunsil is the second such move the franchise has made this offseason. It also acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Samuel excels at getting yards after the catch, and the Commanders are hoping that pairing him with Daniels, who often threw passes in such a way that allowed his receivers to pick up more yards, will help elevate the offense and the passing game, which ranked around the middle of the league in 2024.
The Commanders have similar expectations for Tunsil, who has been to a Pro Bowl in five of the last six seasons. Daniels' sack total was the fifth most in the league. Of the five teams that finished ahead of the Commanders in total offense, all had quarterbacks who were sacked fewer than Daniels.
It's an obvious statement, but the best way for a team to elevate their offense is to protect their quarterback. And Daniels has already shown that good things tend to happen when he has time to work.
