Riggo's Rag
FanSided

5 top options for the Redskins first-round pick in 2019

By Jacob Camenker

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 27: Offensive lineman Cody Ford #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 27: Offensive lineman Cody Ford #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

This might not be a popular option, but it’s important to take a look at the state of the Redskins’ offensive line. They’re not the strong-looking unit that they once were, and they certainly haven’t lived up to the “Hogs 2.0” moniker they gave themselves a couple seasons ago.

Trent Williams is still playing well, but he has had trouble staying healthy. Morgan Moses has regressed at right tackle, and he commits way too many penalties to be trusted. On the interior of the line, Chase Roullier has been solid at center and played every offensive snap this year. Brandon Scherff is a perennial Pro Bowler, but he needs to stay healthy for a change.

And then, there’s left guard — a bottomless abyss of pain and misery for the team.

More from Riggo's Rag

At left guard, the Redskins have started a plethora of players this year. Shawn Lauvao, Tony Bergstrom, Ty Nsekhe, and Zac Kerin are the four most prominent, but other players have mixed in as well. None have panned out. The team desperately needs to find a solution at the position. And if they looked to do it early, Cody Ford could end up being a great option.

Ford is a big, strong blocker that should play either guard or right tackle in the NFL. Ford has a well-built 6-foot-4, 337-pound frame and should be a plug-and-play starter. Playing alongside Trent Williams, Ford would be a big-time upgrade and should provide some stability for the Washington quarterback, whoever it may be. For that reason, he deserves some strong consideration.

Of course, it’s worth noting that Jay Gruden doesn’t seem to be a fan of investing high-round picks in guards. So, unless they believe that Ford could ultimately start at guard and then move outside to left tackle as the successor to Williams, they probably won’t take him. But still, they should take a good, long look at him as he may be one of the best prospects on the board when they’re picking.

Home/Commanders News