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Redskins Depth Chart: Analyzing the roles of the team’s offensive tackles

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Washington Redskins first 2010 first round draft pick Trent Williams #71 walks off the field after a defeat against the Indianapolis Colts at FedEx Field on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Colts won the game 27-24. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Washington Redskins first 2010 first round draft pick Trent Williams #71 walks off the field after a defeat against the Indianapolis Colts at FedEx Field on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Colts won the game 27-24. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field at the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field at the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Starter: LT Trent Williams

This is pretty much a given. Trent Williams is arguably the best left tackle in the NFL. For years, he has been competing with Joe Thomas, Tyron Smith, and David Bakhtiari for that title, but regardless, he has been one of the best in the league during his career.

However, there was a little bit of doubt creeping in about Williams’ status because of a knee injury he dealt with last year. While he played through the issue for most of last season, he missed six games due to maintenance for the knee and ended the year on Injured Reserve. He had surgery late in the season, and that is going to keep him out for some time.

Still, it’s highly likely that Williams will be ready for the start of the season. Though he waited until later in the year to get the surgery, the recovery timetable is expected to be roughly six months. So, by getting it in December, he ensures that he should be ready to return by late June. And if he needs more time, he will have all of July and August to get healthy before the start of the 2018 season.

Injuries aside, there have been some who have stated that Williams could move inside to left guard and allow Ty Nsekhe to play left tackle. This would ensure that the team would have their best five linemen on the field, and Williams is a better fit at guard than Nsekhe. However, taking Williams off the left tackle position, which is the most important for protecting the quarterback, would be a mistake. Simply put, Williams is an elite left tackle. Why put him anywhere else?

There are limited concerns surrounding Williams. Yes, he is coming back from knee surgery, but he will have ample time to fully recover. He should continue to be the best player on the Redskins offense during the 2018 campaign.

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