The Redskins have acquired offensive tackle Jammal Brown in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, the team announced on Saturday.
In exchange for Brown, the Redskins have sent a conditional 2011 draft pick to the Saints.
"We are pleased to add another proven NFL competitor to our team," Redskins executive vice president/general manager Bruce Allen said in a press release.
The move comes as a mild surprise.
The Redskins completed off-season work last Thursday and the starting five of rookie Trent Williams, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Mike Williams and Artis Hicks were praised for the work ethic and togetherness.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Thursday that he felt he had a "good group," but he did acknowledge concerns with depth.
Brown, a five-year veteran, is a starting-caliber left tackle--he earned Pro Bowl honors at the position in 2006 and 2008. He has also played right tackle in his career.
The trade certainly gives the Redskins some flexibility on the offensive line.
For example, Brown's experience at left tackle could allow Shanahan to shift Trent Williams to right tackle--the position he played three years at Oklahoma--and move Hicks inside to right guard. Or Williams could stay at left tackle and Brown could be inserted at right tackle.
All of that will be sorted out in the weeks ahead, though.
Brown, 29, entered the NFL as a 2005 first-round draft pick (13th overall) by the Saints. At the time, the head coach of the Saints was Jim Haslett, who is now the Redskins' defensive coordinator.
Standing at 6-6 and 313 pounds, Brown is adept at both run blocking and pass protection.
He started 58 games for the Saints from 2005-08 but he was sidelined all of last season with a sports hernia and hip injury. The Saints turned to Jermon Bushrod at left tackle and he was a critical part of their Super Bowl XLIV championship.
Brown entered the offseason as a restricted free agent. He was tendered at a first- and third-round level by the Saints.
Brown, who like Trent Williams played college football at Oklahoma, is a native of Waxahachie, Tex.
