The Redskins Need a Left Guard - There are Many Options After Round Two in the 2019 NFL Draft

As this time of year rolls around, and as usual, the Redskins are sitting at home watching meaningful football on their TV’s, talk turns to the NFL Draft. And, as usual this time of year, we have our normal “we need to draft a guard in the first round” club.

Skins fans - guess what?...been there, done that. How has our recent record been?

...that’s what I thought.

Yesterday I wrote a column about why the Skins need to focus on overall team speed this off-season, but in no way, shape of form does that mean we should go another year neglecting the left guard position. It’s more a question of WHEN we should address that position...not IF.

---

There are some potential answers at guard for 2019 staring us right in the face. Arie Kouandjio was, by all accounts, being counted in to start the season last year at left guard. An unfortunate injury in the spring forced him to injured reserve, and forced the Redskins to look elsewhere for a starting guard.

Unfortunately for the team and fans, they decided to turn, yet again, to veteran Shawn Lauvao. The veteran linemen, yet again, got injured and was placed in IR for the season, leaving a massive hole on an otherwise strong unit.

The Redskins have two potential starting guards as 2019 free agents in Jonathan Cooper and Arie Kouandjio. Both guys are under 30, and both have the potential to fit into the Redskins offensive scheme. The problem with Copper, like Lauvao, is he can’t seem to stay healthy. With Kouandjio, it’s more of a consistency issue. He’s played well at times, but at others, he’s struggled.

The best bet would be to re-sign one of the two, and let them compete for a spot in training camp with whoever the Redskins bring in (hopefully) during the draft.

And now on to that draft part...

---

There are no clear-cut pure left guard prospects like the Colts Quentin Nelson who will go high in this draft. There are a few linemen worth pick number 15 overall, but none of them are interior guys. There are however, some really good prospects who could be available after the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Redskins currently hold their own selection in the third round, but will likely get an additional comp pick in the third for losing Kirk Cousins via free agency.

Let’s take a look at some potential third round left guard options for the Skins in 2019:

*I am not adding any pure centers to my list, but will add some players who can project to either C or G.

Beau Benzschawel G Wisc. 6’6” 315 RD 2 (could he slip to the 3rd?)

Martez Ivey G Florida 6’5” 306 RD 2 (could he slip to the 3rd?)

Michael Deiter G/C Wisc. 6’6” 310 RD 2 (could he slip to the 3rd?)

---

Terronne Prescod G N.C State 6’5” 334 RD 2-3

Ben Powers G Oklahoma 6’4” 312 RD 2-3

Darryl Williams G Miss St. 6’2” 310 RD 2-3

Chris Lindstrom G B.C. 6’3” 310 RD 2-3

Conner McGovern G/C PSU 6’5” 325 RD 3

Garrett Brumfield G LSU 6’2” 303 RD 3

Ryan Bates G PSU 6’4” 310 RD 3

Dru Samia G Oklahoma 6’5” 298 RD 3

Nate Davis G Charlotte 6’2” 310 RD 3

Michael Jordan G/C Ohio St. 6’6” 310 RD 3-4

Derwin Gray G Maryland 6’5” 330 RD 3-4

Lester Cotton G Alabama 6’3” 325 RD 3-4

Alex Bars G N.D. 6’5” 310 RD 3-4

Damian Prince G Maryland 6’3” 320 RD 3-4

*Note: Some of these projections will change after the Senior Bowl/Combine.

---

There may not be a lot of top-end talent at guard, but as you can see, this draft is loaded in the middle rounds with starting-level players - many of whom can be plug-and-play NFL interior linemen.

The Redskins would be wise to use their picks in the first and second rounds to improve their overall team speed on both sides of the ball, and use one of their third round picks on a left guard.