Washington Redskins: Revisiting Arie Kouandjio as a starting option at LG

The position of left guard is one of only a few roster holes remaining for the Washington Redskins after the 2018 NFL Draft.

It’s anyone’s guess who exactly will start for the Washington Redskins at left guard, come September. The team shifted players in and out of the starting role all last year, and they did not add a new guard in the NFL Draft, or in free agency.

After the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins did pluck Shawn Lauvao from the leftovers pile of free agency, but that can hardly be considered an addition. Lauvao has been declining each year he’s been with the Washington Redskins, and he’s had trouble staying healthy as well.

The deal for Lauvao isn’t likely to bear against the salary cap. But the signing should incite worry for fans seeking out a fair competition at left guard. All signs point to a competition, with players like Lauvao, undrafted free agent Sean Welsh, Tyler Catalina, and Kyle Kalis all vying for the starting role.

If the competition is even close, there is reason to believe that the team might default to Shawn Lauvao, on the premise that he has starting experience. In the process, they could restrict a higher-upside player from getting those starting snaps. Starting snaps that could be the difference in one’s development.

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In the midst of all this speculation, however, there is one more name that should not be forgotten: Arie Kouandjio. It’s easy to dismiss the notion of Kouandjio starting at left guard in 2018. For his entire career, ever since he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft as a prospect out of Alabama, he has been the physical manifestation of underwhelming offensive line play for the Washington Redskins. He’s always had the size and strength to be a force in the run game, but his mobility issues and lack of balance have hindered his development to this point.

Or so we thought.

Not long ago, I wrote an article predicting the Washington Redskins’ 53-man roster. I left Arie Kouandjio off of that roster projection. While that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I do want to provide a reminder that everyone, including myself, should not count the veteran out. Kouandjio shined when the team needed him most last season; in a grueling road game versus the Seattle Seahawks. Here is my reaction to that game:

"The Redskins’ offensive line did give up four sacks in a 17-14 win over the Seahawks, but Kouandjio did not surrender a single sack. He was perfect in pass protection, against a defensive front that featured Frank Clark, Michael Bennett, Jarran Reed, Dwight Freeney, K.J. Wright, and Bobby Wagner.Perfect. Against the Seahawks. With revolving door T.J. Clemmings at his side.No, do not pinch yourself. That would hurt.Yes, Kouandjio was perfect in pass protection, and his run blocking wasn’t bad either, although the whole offensive line struggled with that, to some extent. Kouandjio finished the day with a grade of 81.0 on Pro Football Focus, which is classified as ‘above-average’. It was truly a surprise performance for the 2015 fourth round pick, and it was one that really flew under the radar."

If Koaundjio can sustain that level of play, then he can not only be the Washington Redskins’ starter, but excel in that role. Left guard is far from the most important position on the line, and with even a decent left guard, the Washington Redskins’ offensive line could be elite, with high-end players like Trent Williams, Brandon Scherff, and Morgan Moses anchoring the unit.

Of course, sustaining that level of play is the true question with Kouandjio, and it’s something he hasn’t proven he can do. Kouandjio was given substantial snaps in the latter half of the 2017 season, and his play regressed greatly during that time. The absence of talented players around him, due to injury, may have been a cause for that. But it is notable that Kouandjio couldn’t be the steady constant in a time when the Washington Redskins needed just that.

If nothing else, that Seattle game was a flash of what Arie Koaundjio could be, if he reached his full potential. But rarely to players ever reach their full potential. And Kouandjio, now 26 years old, is nearing the age range where development is rare among offensive linemen. The recent Lauvao signing, if we choose to look into it this far, is not a good sign for Kouandjio. It may show that the team is not confident in his progress this offseason. Or that added competition may simply fuel his desire to prove them wrong.

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Kouandjio has reportedly looked better this offseason, per ESPN’s John Keim, developing key movement skills. But unlike on-field performance, the offseason hype has no resistance. Right now, we don’t know where Kouandjio is, in terms of consistent development, but we do know this: If he shows enough, he will start at left guard. There is no reason to count him out yet. But there are also legitimate reservations. Time will inevitably show us if he’s capable.

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