Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: 5 veteran options to acquire to create more competition at left guard

By Jacob Camenker

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 28: Jahri Evans #73 of the Green Bay Packers defends against Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 28: Jahri Evans #73 of the Green Bay Packers defends against Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 16: Quinton Spain #67 of the Tennessee Titans hands a game ball to a young fan after a Titans touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 16: Quinton Spain #67 of the Tennessee Titans hands a game ball to a young fan after a Titans touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

player. 35. . Offensive Guard. Tennessee Titans. Quinton Spain. 2

Of all the options on this list, Quinton Spain may be the most unrealistic. After all, Spain has been the starter for the better part of the last two and a half seasons for the Titans. That said, the team did do some things this offseason that made it seem like the team wanted some competition for Spain.

During the offseason, the Titans tendered Spain as a restricted free agent. However, they did so at the “original round level.” This means that if a team signed Spain to a deal and if the Titans elected not to match, they wouldn’t receive any compensation, as Spain originally was an undrafted free agent. They could have opted to tender him at a first or second round tender and their reluctance to do so seems to communicate that they view him as replaceable.

Furthermore, the Titans added two players to compete at guard during the 2018 offseason. They signed Xavier Su’a-Filo, a former second-rounder of the Houston Texans, and Kevin Pamphile, who started a majority of the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both only signed one-year deals, but both came at cheaper levels than Spain (Pamphile made $1.4 million and Su’a-Filo at $880K). So, if they perform equally to Spain, they could have a chance to overtake him.

More from Riggo's Rag

It’s worth noting that Pamphile has experience playing right tackle as well. That versatility could come into play for the Titans, as stud right tackle Jack Conklin tore his ACL during the team’s playoff loss to the Patriots and may not be ready for the 2018 season. That could make him more valuable, and that may push Spain closer to the bubble.

Also, the Titans re-signed starting right guard Josh Kline to a four-year deal. They have confidence that he will continue to play well at the right guard position, so that is one less spot that Spain could win.

While Spain should be favored to win the starting job as of now, the Titans may try to move him if they like what they see out of the other guards they signed. In the event that Spain becomes available, he could probably be had for a sixth round pick. And that might be a price that the Redskins are willing to pay.

There’s no guarantee that Spain will become available. But if he somehow does, the Redskins should be highly interested in going after him. He’s a solid player and he would certainly be an experienced, younger upgrade over Lauvao. And given that he’s on a one-year deal, the team could easily part with him if he doesn’t pan out.

Home/Commanders News