Mike Jones from the Washington Post reported this morning that the Redskins had Stanford OT Cameron Fleming in for a visit today. ESPN980 also reported that the team is interested in bringing in Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort at some point before the draft. [UPDATE] Grant Paulsen also reported that UVA OT Morgan Moses and Tennessee OT Antonio Richardson are in town tonight for visits with the Redskins.
The Redskins offensive line has needed an upgrade for what seems like forever. The same OL group has been playing together for the last two seasons, but last year it became painfully obvious that continuity was not helping keep RGIII upright.
The team has made several signings in free agency to try to increase the size in the interior, but the tackle position has not been addressed. RT Bruce Campbell was reportedly signed early in free agency, but there was an issue with his physical and his contract was never finalized. The Redskins were also interested in signing LT Donald Penn to play on the right side this year, but he signed with the Oakland Raiders instead. That leaves the team looking to the draft or the current roster to improve the performance on the right side of the line this year.
Tyler Polumbus, of Tyler and the Turnstiles fame, has been the starter for the last two years, and can be considered average at best. Due to his playing time last season he earned a $1 million contract escalator that could make him expendable if the right replacement is found. Cutting Polumbus will save the Redskins $2.5 million this year. There are also backups looking to earn a bigger role on the team like 3rd year OT Tom Compton who earned the role of backup swing tackle last season. Maurice Hurt has also played RT for the team, but did not play last year after starting the year on PUP.
The two tackes the Redskins reportedly have interest in are projected as 2nd-3rd round picks. Fleming is currently ranked #52 overall, and Jack Mewhort is currently ranked #91 overall by CBS Sports. The Redskins are expected to look to the draft for a big OT, but might not see one available that is worth the #34 pick. If they choose to wait until the 3rd round, or trade back from #34, these two could be on the team's radar.
[UPDATE]: The other two tackles that were recently reported to be visiting are in the 1st-2nd range(Moses) and 3rd-4th range in the draft. Moses is currently ranked #35 overall, and Antonio Richardson is currently ranked #104 by CBS Sports.
Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford:
Stanford OT Cameron Fleming (6-5, 323) visited #Redskins today, source said.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) April 15, 2014
Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State:
.@ESPNRadio980 hears #Redskins are planning to have Ohio St OT/OG Jack Mewhort in for a visit before the draft http://t.co/M6gLoxSIq5
— ESPN 980 (@ESPNRadio980) April 15, 2014
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Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia:
Source: #Redskins are hosting draft prospects OT's Morgan Moses (UVA) & Antonio Richardson (TEN) tonight. Meetings will continue tomorrow.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 15, 2014
Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee: