2023 Washington Position Group Breakdown: Interior Offensive Line

July 28, 2023

by David Earl

Nothing To See Here

I am not one to immediately projected negativity in my columns but let’s be honest: right now as this interior unit doesn’t project well. There are some intriguing possibilities in a healthy Nick Gates, a move inside move for a more natural run blocker in Samuel Cosmi, and a raw player in Chris Paul who seemed to get the coach’s attention last season. Aside from some intrigue, this group should give Sam Howell many nightmares this offseason of things to come. The interior line was ranked just 28th in yards per attempt at 4.0, yet managed to be just outside the top 10 in total rushing yards per game at 126.1. Those are the best numbers I can share because their 7.97% sack percentage and 2.8 sacks per game were both ranked 25th, which result in just 10.1 yards per completion, ranked 17th. While you can speak to the intriguing upside, the numbers themselves keep any optimism at bay for the time being as the additions do not appear significant enough.

Projected Starters

• Samuel Cosmi (RG): At 6’6″ and 309lbs, Howell moves in from right tackle after the addition of Andrew Wylie. He started 6 out of the possible 14 games last season, playing in 59% of available snaps. He had 6 accepted penalties last season, including 4 false starts, and struggled more so in his pass blocking. The move to guard should showcase his natural run-blocking ability and his athletic profile projects well for plays requiring him to pull out in designed run plays. Now will he avoid injury after an ankle injury cut his rookie season short and a hand injury last season resulting in time missed?
  
• Saahdiq Charles (LG): At 6’4″ and 322lbs, Saadiq was drafted immediately after the Trent Williams trade and has been less than inspiring at the tackle position early on. Also moved into the guard position, injuries and lack of effectiveness have held him to only 32% of available snaps at the tackle position in his 3-year career. In 8 total career starts Charles committed 5 accepted penalties, of which 3 were false starts. Projected as the starter heading into camp, there becomes a real possibility either Chris Paul or rookie 4th-round pick Braeden Daniels sees significant time in this role.
• Nick Gates (C): At 6’5″ and 307lbs, Nick replaces the recently retired Chase Roullier and presents a solid upside if healthy. He didn’t provide the best scores through the NFL combine as an NFL tackle and rated as a priority free agent after the draft. The 2020 season was positive, as he started all 16 games at center for the Giants, playing in all available 1013 snaps and committing a total of 5 penalties before his gruesome injury in 2021. While his 2022 return was promising, as he started 8 of 10 games and played in 55% of his available snaps, he is a long way off from his on healthy season in 2020.

The Projected Depth

• Keaton Sutherland (LG): At 6’5″ and 315lbs, Keaton is initially listed as the primary backup to Samuel Cosmi. Only 2 career starts in his 4-year career, this former Texas A&M is a former tackle turned guard who was a consistent contributor in college. Keaton’s scouting profile projected as a developmental lineman best suited for guard with his balanced upper and lower body strength. The inexperience is a concern and his inability to latch onto a team in 4 years makes him a potential long shot to even make the roster.
  
• Chris Paul (LG): At 6’4″ and 331lbs, Paul may be the most intriguing lineman on this roster. His scouting report mentioned how Tulsa essentially played him out of position at the tackle position as his build and athleticism were geared more toward the interior of the line. His football IQ in picking offensive schemes and techniques was never a question, as he was a priority developmental player according to scouts. He became a coach’s favorite last season and, considering the injury history and play of Saahdiq Charles plus the inexperience of Keaton Sutherland, could very well play a key role on this offensive line.
• Nolan Laufenberg (LG): At 6’3″ and 315lbs, this undrafted free agent is out of Air Force in 2021.  He was graded as an above-average guard according to Draft Buzz. He doesn’t carry any elite traits and looks to be an inevitable practice squad candidate.
• Mason Brooks (RG): At 6’6″ and 315lbs, this undrafted free agent has begun to turn a few heads thus far in the offseason. A balanced run and pass blocker out of Ole Miss, Brooks plays with strong natural leverage off the snap and does well against the bull rush. According to Draft Buzz, his primary issue is maintaining technique through his blocks, especially laterally, but shows excellent awareness with good hand placement, and has good awareness against stunts and twists. Although he’s listed as the primary backup at this time to Samuel Cosmi, there is still going to be a developmental stage early on, and relying on him immediately could become a rough transition for Washington.
• Tyler Larsen (C): At 6’4″ and 335lbs, Tyler is a 7-year veteran who saw 87% of available snaps last season in 9 games (starting 8). He’s been a reliable pass blocker with adequate athleticism but unfortunately has had back-to-back seasons cut short due to injury. When healthy he’s a steady depth piece who plays a relatively clean game committing 3 penalties through 29 career starts.
  
• Ricky Stromberg (C): At 6’4″ and 313lbs, Ricky was Washington’s 3rd round pick this year.  According to his scouting report, he is a process-oriented lineman who is not scheme dependent. A captain for the Arkansas offensive line, he has excellent awareness at the line in making adjustments, plays with great leverage, and has the athletic traits to compete against quick rushers. He does have some tendencies that will need work to succeed at the next level – for example, his footwork can get away from him at times, gets too hansy when a rusher gains leverage, and becomes too upright at times during his blocks. Overall, he could realistically play at some point this season as a starter but the refinement of his game most likely will stretch beyond this season as an impactful starter.