Continuing our Pre-Training Camp Washington Redskins Outlook series we’ll preview the team’s current offensive line and tight end roster by grading and reviewing each positional group. In the process, we’ll also take a look at who could make the final roster.
Offensive Line:
Arie Kouandjio, 23
Austin Reiter, 23
Brandon Scherff, 23
Takoby Cofield, 23
Bryce Quigley, 23
Spencer Long, 24
Tyler Larsen, 24
Morgan Moses, 24
Tom Compton, 26
Josh LeRibeus, 26
Shawn Lauvao, 27
Trent Williams, 27
Willie Smith, 28
Ty Nsekhe, 29
Kory Lichtensteiger, 30
Tight Ends:
Je’Ron Hamm, 23
Chase Dixon, 24
Niles Paul, 25
Jordan Reed, 25
Devin Mahina, 26
Logan Paulsen, 28
Who I Believe Makes The Team (OL):
Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Kory Lichtensteiger
Spencer Long
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Arie Kouandjio
Tom Compton
Takoby Cofield
Who I Believe Makes The Team (TE):
Jordan Reed
Niles Paul
Logan Paulsen
Final Offensive Line Depth Chart Grade: C+
I like where the Redskins are headed in regards to their offensive line. They hired Bill Callahan, who is one of the best in the business at coaching OL talent. They also put an emphasis on getting bigger, stronger and younger across the line.
Trent Williams is a perennial Pro Bowler who has an opportunity to take his game to an even higher level this year. He played well last season, but compared to previous seasons, it was definitely a drop in his production. Williams has lost weight and should flourish in Bill Callahan’s power-based system. Williams and Kory Lichtensteiger are really the team’s most dependable offensive linemen. Lichtensteiger is an above average center who simply gets the job done. Although, his future may not be so bright with the Redskins, he’ll be good enough for at least this upcoming season.
Beyond those two players, there’s question marks across the board. Hence, the C+ grade. Shawn Lauvao did not live up to his not-so-inexpensive contract he signed last off-season. But he did show flashes of good ability. I wonder if the power-scheme will help him a bit.
At the other guard position, second-year player Spencer Long will get first dibs on the starting spot. I liked what I saw from him last pre-season. He certainly fits the power-scheme. But there’s more that needs to be seen with him. Personally, I’d prefer rookie Brandon Scherff to play RG, but it appears that they will focus on getting him acclimated at RT.
It will be interesting to see what the Redskins do with Morgan Moses as he continues to get healthy. It surprised me last off-season to see them push Moses to focus on Left Tackle in practice. He’s a Right Tackle and could be a pretty good one.
I have Undrafted Free Agent Takoby Cofield making the roster because he has upside and could provide depth across the board. I heard Scot McCloughan liked Duke Gaurd Laken Tomlinson pre-draft. It’s clear that he liked some of the talent at Duke, having drafted Jamison Crowder and signing Cofield. I like Cofield because he’s capable of playing either tackle spot or guard in a back-up role. He has more upside as a pass blocker than Tom Compton. I came close to having Bryce Quigley make the roster, but he may be a guy you can stash on Practice Squad along with Austin Reiter.
Final Tight End Depth Chart Grade: C+
I actually share similar thoughts on the Tight Ends as I do with the Offensive Line. I like the young talent with Jordan Reed and Niles Paul. However, there’s questions with both that makes me doubt the position and its depth.
Jordan Reed is always injured and he still has things about his game that needs improving. I’m concerned that he’s become contact-shy with his ever-growing list of injuries. I want to see him do better after-the-catch and just continue becoming more of a playmaker. Reed can be one of the better tight ends in the game if he stays healthy and improves. But I’m not certain he can do that.
I’m actually more confident in Niles Paul at this point, just because he’s a blue chip player. There’s nothing great about his skillset, which makes him a different type of player than Reed. However, he’s a high competitor who played well in Reed’s place early last season. He drops footballs every now and then (I always go back to the fact he has small hands). However, he actually does make plays after-the-catch and I just like the physical element he brings to the table.
I would prefer Logan Paulsen not making the roster, but there’s really no one else I can see that would push him. He’s the best blocker at the position. Although he adds very little for you in the pass game, he could stick around for those reasons. Maybe the Redskins ought to give Chris Cooley another shot since he wants to play again…
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