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Redskins Training Camp Profile: G Shawn Lauvao

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Guard Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins helps teammate quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 up off of the field in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Guard Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins helps teammate quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 up off of the field in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12:Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings #69 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12:Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings #69 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Lauvao’s main competition

The battle for the final starting position on the offensive line looks like it’s going to be a free for all. While it seems probable that Lauvao will end up being the starter, anything can change at a moment’s notice in training camp.

The options aren’t too inspiring behind Lauvao for the left guard position. In terms of true interior offensive linemen, the top names are as follows: Tony Bergstrom, Kyle Kalis, Casey Dunn, and Tyler Catalina (though he can play tackle a bit too). The first option is a journeyman who ended up with the Redskins due to a boatload of injuries at the center position. The other three are all young and inexperienced, but Kalis and Catalina both had major troubles when in the lineup last year for the Colts and Redskins respectively. Perhaps with another offseason of work for the duo, they will improve.

Dunn is a favorite of mine, and there’s a chance that the undrafted man from Auburn could sneak onto the final roster as a backup center. But, starting him at guard would be a major stretch, and he is going to need to put on some weight before he can be an effective option at the NFL level.

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The place where the Redskins can find a potential replacement for Lauvao is at offensive tackle. And no, I’m not one of the “move Trent Williams inside and play Ty Nsekhe at guard” people. But, getting Nsekhe into the starting lineup would make sense, as he is arguably the fifth-best offensive lineman on the Redskins. He has a 6-foot-8 frame that is better suited to play outside, but he could probably get by as an interior starter if needed. Still, he seems more likely to stay at swing tackle.

The other options to convert are rookie Geron Christian and third-year man T.J. Clemmings. I really like the idea of moving Clemmings to guard, considering the issues he has had at tackle during his career, so that is something to watch in camp. If Clemmings does move and can figure out the new position quickly, Lauvao could find himself facing tough competition.

As for Christian, he needs time to develop and is probably a future swing tackle. Playing him at guard wouldn’t make sense unless he shows very good ability during training camp.

With as many as seven legitimate candidates available to take his job, Lauvao has to be motivated to succeed. If any player gives the coaching staff more confidence than Lauvao, he could be moved to bench duty or cut before the start of the season. That said, he still is at the top of the pecking order, at least for now.

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