Washington Redskins 2018 season offensive line grades
By Ian Cummings
Jonathan Cooper
It’s a bit surprising that Jonathan Cooper was available when the Redskins needed interior line help after the Atlanta game. Just last year, Cooper had started thirteen games for the Dallas Cowboys, and at times, he’d been a competent starter. He was signed by San Francisco in the offseason, but waived in final cuts. Before the Redskins scooped him up, he was an adequate offensive lineman who’d slipped through the cracks.
Cooper proved himself to be a cut above the usual stopgaps signed midseason. He came in right away and started against Tampa Bay, helping Adrian Peterson continue to climb up the record boards. As a run blocker, Cooper was physical, and as a pass blocker, he was surprisingly quick, alert, and strong at the point of contact.
The Cooper renaissance was put on hold for an extended period, however, when Cooper was placed on injured reserve after starting just four games at left guard. During his time on the field, however, he allowed just one sack, and it wouldn’t be brash to say he was an upgrade over Shawn Lauvao.
Now, Cooper is an unrestricted free agent. There’s no question he’ll be signed by a team in free agency, for a cheap price. At 29 years old, he might not maintain his current level of play for long. But for the Redskins, who have issues yet on the interior offensive line, re-signing Cooper would be a very sensible move.