Washington 2024 Draft Part 3: Left Tackle is Key

Posted on by

April 23, 2024

by David Earl

Little Washington History

Aside from five years (1995-1999), from signing Joe Jacoby as an undrafted free agent in 1981 to Trent Williams, the one aspect of Washington’s left tackle position was typically consistency and dominance.  Jacoby anchored the legendary group The Hogs to two Super Bowl titles, followed by Jim Lachey on one of the more dominant Super Bowl era teams in 1991. The ineptitude ownership of Dan Snyder wasted the Pro Bowl efforts of Chris Samuels and Trent Williams from 2000 to 2018. Let’s review this team’s left tackle history a bit:

  • Joe Jacoby 1981-1988: Was an undrafted free agent in 1981.  A two-time 1st team All-Pro with a total of four Pro Bowl selections. He was a staple of one of the most dominant offensive lines in football history and won two Super Bowls with him as the starting left tackle. Shamefully never elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Jim Lachey 1989-1994: Traded from the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Was a three-time First Team All-Pro and earned a total of four Pro Bowl selections. With Jacoby moving to right tackle, Lachey replaced him on the left side on a 1991 team regarded as one of the best Super Bowl single-season teams ever.
  • Left Tackle 1995-1999: This time period saw journeymen players and a bust who never played a down for Washington, Andre Johnson. Since Johnson was a missed pick in 1996 (30th overall selection), Jon Jansen was the only offensive lineman that amounted to a good career but at right tackle.
  • Chris Samuels 2000-2009: Selected 3rd overall in the 2000 NFL draft, Samuels was selected to a total of six Pro Bowls. This will apply to Trent Williams, too: Samuels came into an era of Washington football that was poorly managed by the previous owner. The talents of both Samuels and Williams were never fully supported but a championship-contending roster.
  • Trent Williams 2010-2018: Selected 4th overall in the 2010 NFL draft, Williams was a three-time First Team All-Pro,all with the San Francisco 49ers, plus a total of 11 Pro Bowls. His time with Washington ended in controversy, resulting in a fifth round pick in the 2020 NFL draft who turned into C Keith Ismael and a third round pick in the 2021 NFL draft  from the 49ers, with which Washington draft CB Benjamin St-Juste.

This now leads Washington into the Ron Rivera era where his first attempt to sure up the left tackle position Donald Penn in 2019 followed by Cornelius Lucas and Geron Christian in the 2020 season. Charles Leno was then signed as a free agent in 2021 and was an average, serviceable player for Washington. During Leno’s time, Washington made minimal attempts to address a position that once was consistently among the best in the league for many years. Samuel Cosmi was drafted in 2021 (51st overall selection) as a right tackle and has moved inside to the left guard position. Braedon Daniels was drafted last year (118th overall selection) and is more of a developmental tackle who could play his way into the right tackle position but has a long way to become a possible left tackle. He, like Chris Paul, who was drafted with the 230th overall selection in 2022 , may ultimately be an interior guard who could play a swing tackle-type role, as does Cornelius Lucas. Regardless of how you see this current roster makeup heading into the draft, Washington must make this position a top priority, and trading back into the first round may be their best option.

Can They Find a Left Tackle in the Second Round?

Before we jump into the quarterback talk, let’s discuss the fact that Washington needs a legitimate left tackle. With the second selection of the 2024 NFL draft, is there an option for the future at this position? The top names being available in the second fluctuate and depend on what source you look at too. The potential names Washington may target are as follows and see full evaluations from Draft Buzz:

Jordan Morgan, Arizona, 6’4″ 312lbs

  • Quick Evaluation: The combination of his overall body frame, technique, and leverage makes him ideal against top-tier edge rushers. Does lacks ideal arm length which can affect his leverage at times and struggles in zone run schemes at times standing too upright.
  • Average Mock Draft Position: Pick 31

Kingsley Suamataia – BYU 6’6″, 325 lbs

  • Quick Evaluation: Physically gifted player who maintains a very strong frame and quick first step to reach the second level of the defense. Uses body exceptionally well maintaining good balance and footwork. Tends to play too upright at times and will get too overly aggressive resulting in penalties and missed blocks.
  • Average Mock Draft Position: Pick 36

Blake Fisher, Notre Dame, 6’6″ 310lbs

  • Quick Evaluation: Mirrors rushed exceptionally well and used his body well to gain leverage. Has a good solid foundation and gets to the second level effectively. Will struggle with timing off the snap at times. While he mirrors the edge rushers well, he struggles to adjust to quick inside moves.
  • Average Mock Draft Position: Pick 44

Kiran Amegadjie, Yale, 6’5″ 323lbs

  • Quick Evaluation: Dominates vertical movements with his quick first step and his exceptional footwork allows him to maintain balance through his blocks. Uses his arms well to keep the defender outside his frame. Can be inconsistent in the first step after the snap and at times bends too much at the waist losing his leverage.
  • Average Mock Draft Position: Pick 60

Patrick Paul, Yale, 6’8″ 331lbs

  • Quick Evaluation: Neutalizes defender well with his arm length and strength plus anchors very well with a good wide base. Has a good awareness for angles and consistently drives through defenders. Does show limitations as a run blocker and does have a too-upright stance losing his initial leverage. Can also play stiff at times too.
  • Average Mock Draft Position: Pick 64

There is some talent here, but many are works in progress to become a starting left tackle at the next level. However, all of them are good options as the day 1 starting right tackle. Clearly, Washington will need to address the right side, but if Washington enters the season with Cornelius Lucas as the left tackle, who will protect the rookie quarterback’s blind side? Of this group, Kingsley Suamataia from BYU may present the best option to start day 1 if he can improve his technique on his first initial step. Some see Patrick Paul from Yale as the highest upside of this group but he seems far too raw right now as the left tackle option in year one. Of course, trade-up options using this trade valuation chart, could look like these:

  • As I previously wrote Washington would send their 36th overall selection, 67th overall selection, and 100th overall selection, plus a 2025 3rd-round pick for Seattle’s 16th overall selection and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
  • A less aggressive direction could send the 36th overall selection, 67th overall selection, and a 2025 3rd-round pick to the Pittsburg Steelers for the 20th overall selection and a 2025 4th-round pick.

Both options are viable directions and could be very likely too. Another direction would be to add an established young tackle like the Los Angeles Chargers LT Rashawn Slater. The Chargers are in an ideal position to draft a young stud left tackle, and moving Slater now helps their long-term cap management issues. Regardless, the options through the draft have some intrigue and upside in the second round but that will require patience and development. Considering Washington will potentially be starting a rookie at quarterback, they need more than intrigue and upside at the left tackle position.

0