Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Washington Redskins pre-2018 NFL Draft roster analysis

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Offensive guard Arie Kouandjio #74 of the Washington Redskins sits on the bench during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Offensive guard Arie Kouandjio #74 of the Washington Redskins sits on the bench during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Offensive Interior

Starters: Arie Kouandjio, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff

Reserves: Tony Bergstrom, Orlando Franklin, Tyler Catalina, Kyle Kalis, Demetrius Rhaney (C), Alex Balducci

Arie looks worried. So should you.

This is a bit of a dramatization. The Washington Redskins situation on the interior has undergone several positive developments since the start of the offseason. But there is still work to be done, nonetheless.

Chase Roullier has the coaches’ confidence as the starting center, and stout offensive guard Brandon Scherff had his fifth-year option (which is only available to first-round players) exercised by the Washington Redskins earlier this month, meaning that he will be locked up for both 2018 and 2019. In that time, it is assumed that the Washington Redskins will attempt to negotiate a long-term deal with Scherff. Thus, finding a possible successor for Scherff is far from a priority.

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What is a priority, however, is finding a starter at left guard. Tyler Catalina and Kyle Kalis have promise, but as it stands, they are nothing more than depth on the line. The depth of the interior offensive line improved with the re-signings of Tony Bergstrom and Ty Nsekhe, who can shift inside to play guard, but there is still room for improvement. That improvement, however, doesn’t have to come from a direct influx of later-round depth. Instead, it can come from an early selection, as an early selection would bump Arie Kouandjio, the current starter at left guard, back into the ranks of the reserves, where he might be better suited.

If they so pleased, the Washington Redskins could draft Isaiah Wynn or Will Hernandez in Round 1, and Connor Williams could garner interest as well, as he projects well as a guard in the NFL. If a top-tier defensive player fails to drop, then going down this road becomes a very viable option.

The second round, however, is looking more and more appealing in this sense, as options such as Billy Price, Austin Corbett, Frank Ragnow, Braden Smith, and Tyrell Crosby are all likely to be available. But even after that, there are players like Wyatt Teller and Will Clapp who could give Arie Koaundjio a run for his money as a starter. It’s also worth noting, however, that Arie Kouandjio has been using a different training method this offseason, and he could end up being a dark horse to maintain that starting role. A player needs to be added in the NFL Draft, but when that player should be added remains unclear.

Draft Need: Very High

Appropriate Rounds: 1-6

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