With the NFL Draft completed, Redskins.com is breaking down the team's roster as it prepares for the 2020 campaign. Here are the positions that have been covered so far:
Next up is the offensive line. The right side will look exactly the same as it has for the last two-plus seasons: Chase Roullier at center, Brandon Scherff at guard and Morgan Moses at tackle.
Scherff was the only uncertainty of the three entering the offseason, but he'll be in Washington through at least the 2020 season after signing his franchise tag tender.
The left side, meanwhile, is far from being decided, as several newcomers and second-year players will likely compete for those starting jobs.
ROSTER SUBTRACTIONS:
- Trent Williams
- Ereck Flowers
- Donald Penn
- Tony Bergstrom
KEY ADDITION(S):
- Cornelius Lucas
- Wes Schweitzer
- Jeremy Vujnovich
- Saahdiq Charles
- Keith Ismael
THE LATEST:
By the beginning of free agency, the Redskins knew they would need two new starting linemen. Longtime left tackle Trent Williams requested to be traded, and Donald Penn, who replaced Williams in 2019, was a 37-year-old free agent. Then Ereck Flowers, who started all 16 games at left guard last season, signed a multi-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The Redskins still had guard Wes Martin, a 2019 fourth-round pick who started five games as a rookie because of injuries, and tackle Geron Christian Sr., a third-rounder in 2018. But they needed more depth and competition at both positions. For that, they turned to free agency.
Their first signing was Wes Schweitzer, who has appeared in 46 games (36 starts) at both guard spots since entering the NFL in 2016. Then Cornelius Lucas joined the Redskins' offensive front. After primarily serving as a reserve tackle during his first five seasons, he started a career-high eight games for the Bears in 2019.
Towards the end of free agency, the Redskins picked up Jeremy Vujnovich, who started every game at left guard for the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. He's made just five appearances the past two seasons.
"Free agency, the way I've always looked at it, is setting yourself up for the draft," vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith said days before the 2020 NFL Draft. "Everybody talks about needs and holes and all of those things, and you go into free agency and you address some of that stuff, which I think we've done by adding guys of good value, add depth, that are just good players overall."
The Redskins continued to bolster their offensive line during the three-day event. Not only did they trade Williams to the San Francisco 49ers for two draft picks, but they used a fourth-round selection on LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles and a fifth-rounder on San Diego State center Keith Ismael.
Rounding out the position group are center Ross Pierschbacher, a fifth-round pick in 2019, and tackles Timon Parris and Paul Adams.
WHAT TO WATCH:
Left guard and left tackle could be two of the most intriguing position battles whenever the Redskins return to practice. (The team is currently holding a virtual offseason program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Martin and Schweitzer will likely compete at guard while Vujnovich and Ismael provide depth at both guard spots. At tackle, Lucas, Christian and Charles all seem to have a chance to become the starter.
The difference between guard and tackle is that the options at guard have much more starting experience. Before last season, Lucas started a combined eight games from 2014-18. Since entering the NFL, Christian has started twice. And then there's Charles, an athletic work in progress who just entered the professional ranks.
Fortunately, there will be plenty of competition at both spots, meaning the eventual starters will have done everything necessary to earn their respective jobs.
