According to Pro Football Focus, Washington has the 12th-best offensive line in football in 2016. The Redskins' mix of young talent and veteran experience is what makes their unit unique.
The analytical football website recorded left tackle, Pro Bowler and tenured Redskin, Trent Williams, as the sixth-best offensive tackle pass blocking-wise last season.
As for the other side, Morgan Moses is becoming the next big thing on the line as the University of Virginia product looks to duplicate a strong 2015 campaign. Brandon Scherff, who lines up next to Moses, is a former first round selection from last season who also hopes to produce a year similar to last, where he started all 16 games and his first career playoff game.
At left guard, Shawn Lauvao is looking to regain his starting spot after an injury sidelined the guard for most of the 2016 season, which allowed teammate Spencer Long to shine. Along the offensive line, that position battle, with Arie Kouandjio, too, may be the storyline to watch come training camp.
Pro Football Focus also notes that Kouandjio and Ty Nsekhe add valuable roster depth for the upcoming year.
This is a big jump for Washington, who Pro Football Focus rated as 31st going into Week 5 of the 2015 season. The Cowboys (ranked first) and the Eagles (ranked seventh) were the only divisional opponents ahead of Washington as the Giants were ranked 20th.
Along with being ranked 12th, two offensive line contributors, tight end Jordan Reed and Williams, were also named to Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar's list of the best, youngest players in the NFL at their respective positions for a team building through the year 2020.
"Reed has amassed a catch rate over 76% and 10.5 yards per catch," Farrar writes. "He flew under the radar as a young player while the Redskins sorted out their QB situation, but came alive last year during Trent Williams's breakout season, finishing with 87 catches for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. Reed has his own injury history, but we'll bank on his health and the ability for his numbers to grow in a more expansive offense.
"Williams is also very agile and athletic, but he brings an element of nastiness to the game that every team needs from its blockers," he continues. "Smith used to play right tackle, so perhaps he would move back there, but this team wouldn't have a problem with Williams demolishing guys on the right side, either."
