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Ranking the Mid-Round Offensive Tackle Prospects for the Redskins

NCAA Football: College Football Playoff National Championship-Clemson vs Louisiana State Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive tackle is a major need for the Redskins in 2020 and beyond. Trent Williams’ situation remains in limbo, but it looks highly unlikely that the Pro Bowl left tackle will return to the Burgundy and Gold.

Without Williams, the Redskins will have to rely on newly signed free agent Cornelius Lucas, third year tackle Geron Christian, or a player some team cuts after the draft as a stop-gap option.

What the Redskins really need is a young offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft that they can develop, and hopefully can turn into a starter down the road. The problem with that is the team currently lacks a second round pick, and with all eyes at pick number two focused on Chase Young, the Skins will have to look into the mid-rounds to find that player.

There is some hope that trading Trent Williams a bit nearer to the draft(or even during it) will net the team a second round pick, but without the ability for teams to meet with players in person, that hope is waning a bit, as a pending physical, and Trent’s contract demands, may be holding things up.


If the Redskins are able to land a second in return for Williams, that would be icing on the cake, but for now, I will concentrate on the mid-round tackle options in the 2020 NFL Draft.

This class is very deep, and I think there are seven guys we could possibly see land in round one. After that, the picture becomes a little more muddled.

There is always a guy or two who were projected as second round picks who falls a bit, so with the Redskins currently sitting at #66 overall, that would be the hope.

2020 Mid-Round Offensive Tackle Options:

Lucas Niang(TCU): 6’6” 315 - Injury concerns(hip surgery 2019) could drop Niang in the draft, but make no mistake - when healthy, this guy can play. Niang has excellent functional strength and knows how to use it. He plays with good leverage, and is able to substitute good athleticism when he gets beat off his set. I would have no problem with the Redskins moving back into the later half of round two to secure his talents.

Saahdiq Charles(LSU): 6’4” 321(5.05 40) - Charles is a powerful man who is a very easy mover. He’s solid in space and can drive and deliver once he gets his hands on the defender. He does had some off-the-field issues that could scare teams away.

Ezra Cleveland(Boise St.): 6’6” 311(4.93 40) - Cleveland was a rock for Boise St. The former wrestler understands position and leverage and it shows up on tape. He’ll excel in a zone blocking scheme in the NFL due to his athleticism.

Prince Tega Wanogho(Auburn): 6’5” 308 - Despite being a senior, Tega Wanogho is still a bit raw as a prospect. He lacks fundamental strength at the point of attack and has a weak anchor. But, the tools are there to develop, and with good coaching and some time to learn the NFL game, he can become a solid starter at either left or right tackle.

Ben Bartch(St. John): 6’6” 309: Bartch has great athletic ability and bend. That being said, at this point he’s more of a positional blocker who lacks fundamental strength to be an effective drive blocker. He has short arms which could hinder him on the edge. Potential and frame are intriguing though. Division III prospect who beat up on weak competition at that level.

Matt Peart(UConn): 6’7” 317(5.06 40) - Peart has exceptional length that NFL team’s covet at the tackle position. His hand placement and anchor, however, are less than desirable. He needs to work on setting his base and rolling his hips at the point of attack. Right now he a lump of clay for a good offensive line coach to mold.