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5 biggest needs Redskins will have to address in the 2019 offseason

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins looks on after a turnover late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins looks on after a turnover late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

4. Left Guard

It’s time for the Shawn Lauvao experiment to end. He has been with the Redskins for five years, and he can’t stay healthy. When he’s on the field, he’s decent but not special. He is the weak link on the line when all are healthy, and depth needs to be added at the very least even if they do retain Lauvao as a backup.

Unlike years past, there doesn’t really appear to be any big-time upgrade at the guard position on the free agent market. A guy like Rodger Saffold could be considered, but he’s going to be 31 in the offseason. So, they wouldn’t want to sign him for big money. And given that Jay Gruden doesn’t really seem to care much about the guard position, they may choose to address it in the middle rounds of the draft.

Of course, it’s also notable that the Redskins will probably be handing Brandon Scherff a lucrative extension in the near future. That could necessitate spending down at the other guard position as they won’t be able to play two guards at a high level.

If the team looks to draft a guard, they could consider an early Day 2 option like Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom. Or, they could try to wait a bit on a player and grab a guy like Wisconsin’s Michael Deiter and try to move him inside to guard. Or, they could target another Alabama guy like Ross Pierschbacher. It all depends on what the team is looking to spend on a guard.

Finishing the offensive line should be a priority and adding interior depth will be crucial. At the same time, the team hasn’t emphasized the position in offseasons past, so it seems likely that they will try to get a quality player on the cheap. But hopefully, they at least draft an interior lineman this time around.

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