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Redskins: 1 free agent to avoid at every position in 2019 offseason

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Vinny Curry #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waves to fans after a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Vinny Curry #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waves to fans after a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 04: Offensive guard Mike Iupati #76 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter of a game 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: Offensive guard Mike Iupati #76 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter of a game 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) /

Offensive Guard: Mike Iupati, Arizona Cardinals

A few years ago, Mike Iupati could have been viewed as the answer for the Redskins at left guard. He once was one of the better guards in the NFL and he was brought to Arizona to try and help fix their interior line woes.

While Iupati put together a couple of solid seasons to start his Arizona career, his performance in the past couple of years hasn’t been great. He missed almost all of the 2017 season with a tricep injury and then missed six games with various maladies in 2018. His skill level has somewhat eroded as a result of these injuries and given that he’s turning 32 in May, it’s doubtful that he’ll ever fully return to his pre-injury form.

While Iupati was more skilled than Shawn Lauvao was at his peak (by a long shot), the two are quite similar at this point in their careers. They are both mediocre starters that struggle to stay healthy. Iupati is still slightly better, but his decline has begun.

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Investing in Iupati at this point makes little sense for the Redskins. They have to find a younger, stronger option at guard to continue to build their offensive line. They’re better served doing that via the draft. And even if they invest in a veteran, they would be better off getting a guy like Ramon Foster or Rodger Saffold. Though they are both in their young 30s as well, they have more left in the tank than Iupati.

At the end of the day, Iupati is better served chasing a Super Bowl title as a low-end starter or a top backup on the interior line. A marriage with Washington at this point makes little sense for either side.

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