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Redskins should consider signing Nick Mangold after Spencer Long’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Mangold
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Mangold /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Offensive guard Arie Kouandjio (74) of the Washington Redskins walks on to the field prior to the start of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Offensive guard Arie Kouandjio (74) of the Washington Redskins walks on to the field prior to the start of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /

Lack of interior offensive line depth

Last year, the Redskins entered the season with a supposed embarrassment of riches at the center position. With Lichtensteiger and Long being the top options, and promising second year man Austin Reiter on the squad, it looked like they would be set at the position.

However, Reiter was waived early in the season and claimed by the Cleveland Browns, while Lichtensteiger went on the Injured Reserve before returning late in the year. Even when that happened, the team was able to sign John Sullivan off the street, and he functioned perfectly as a backup center.

At the time, the Redskins also had a promising backup guard in Arie Kouandjio. In his second season, many expected Kouandjio to become a solid backup and continue to grow. He notched a couple of starts in place of an injured Shawn Lauvao, but he looked decent at best.

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    • In 2017, things are far less rosy for the interior of the line. They have a Pro Bowl caliber guard in Brandon Scherff, but they don’t have much else. Lauvao is the weak link on the line. Long is a quality starter, but he is hurt. Roullier is an unproven rookie who needs to add strength. Kouandjio doesn’t look like he belongs on an NFL roster. And no other young players have stepped up to fill the voids. That means that the Redskins well could roll with just having Roullier as their lone interior backup, which would certainly be a risk.

    Because of this combined lack of depth and talent, the Redskins should consider signing Mangold. The veteran could slot in as the backup center in a role similar to the one Sullivan occupied for the team last year. He could start if Long is hurt, and provide the veteran depth that the team needs to feel comfortable at the position. Adding Mangold would also allow Roullier to be the backup guard, and that will gain the Wyoming product some additional versatility.

    Getting Roullier experience as the top backup guard and the third string at center could allow him to develop in a similar fashion to Long. They share similar frames, though Roullier is considerably less strong right now. Developing Roullier like Long would give them more versatility on the interior of the line, and that is a great weapon in the modern NFL.

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