The Washington Redskins will kick off training camp in Richmond, Virginia, on July 25, 2019. That being said, it’s time to take a look at the biggest question marks heading into next season.
Who Will Start at Left Guard?
The Redskins were able to strengthen their offensive line in the 2019 NFL Draft by selecting University of Indiana guard Wes Martin (6-3, 315 lbs) and Alabama center/guard Ross Pierschbacher (6-4, 306 lbs). Martin started every game from his sophomore season forward, playing in all 13 games as a freshman but only starting six. He was also the team captain in his junior and senior seasons. Pierschbacher started 57 games (school record) at the University of Alabama, including 42 at left guard, and then 15 last year as the team’s center as a senior. Both could be leaned on early if they prove worthy enough to play in the NFL at such a young age (Ross is 24 while Wes is 23).
While adding to their offensive line is exactly what the team wanted and needed to do. Now comes the task of actually finding the player to plug into the left guard position that is now vacant since the team decided not to re-sign Shawn Lauvao. The candidates to replace him now include Martin, utility guy Tyler Catalina (who may work with the tackles before all is said and done), and former New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Ereck Flowers. It should be noted that the team does not intend to use Flowers as a tackle, a position he has failed at miserably since being taken in the top 10 by the Giants in the same draft as Brandon Scherff.
The Redskins plan on giving Flowers a chance to shift inside. At least, that was the thought process until Martin came into the picture. Now it appears like a position battle is imminent.
One thing that could shift the entire process is how well Pierschbacher picks up on the pro game. If he were to take the center spot, Chase Roullier could also enter into the battle for left guard, making it a four-man battle. Roullier was, in all likelihood, the Redskins most consistent player during the injury-riddled campaign known as the 2018 season. It should interesting to see how this battle works itself out. In a perfect world, you would have to believe the Redskins would want the two rookies to step up.
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