The Washington Redskins lost Ty Nsekhe this offseason. Can Chidi Okeke help to replace him?
This offseason, the Redskins suffered a very underrated loss. While much was made of the departure of Preston Smith, Jamison Crowder, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the loss of Ty Nsekhe may end up being one of the more critical losses.
Nsekhe provided depth and stability for the Redskins as a swing tackle the past few years. When Trent Williams missed time, Nsekhe was always able to step in and provide solid play at the very least. Now, with Nsekhe gone, the team will have to rely on a bevy of unproven players, namely third-year tackle Geron Christian, to fill the void he leaves behind.
However, there are a few under-the-radar candidates that could emerge as viable options at swing tackle. After all, Nsekhe was a roster hopeful and former arena league player before the Redskins signed him. So, a candidate could emerge in a similar mold to the long, athletic Texas State product.
One of the candidates is Chidi Okeke. The Tennessee State product isn’t a very well-known player, but he has the skills and raw talent needed to be a potential player at the NFL level.
The Redskins landed Okeke as an undrafted free agent and if things go well for him, he could end up making the roster. Here’s an in-depth look at Okeke as a player and what he could provide to the team.
About Chidi Okeke
Coming out of high school, Okeke, a native of Nigeria, was a well-regarded offensive tackle and was ranked 87th overall in the ESPN 300. He had offers from a number of SEC teams including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Florida State and some other high-profile schools like Clemson.
It’s easy to see why teams liked Okeke on paper, as he had a massive 6-5 frame, was fairly well-built, and possessed solid athletic ability. He was a work in progress, but his upside was certainly immense.
Okeke ended up going to LSU and redshirted in 2015. After playing sparingly at LSU as a sophomore, Okeke ended up transferring to Tennessee State to get more playing time. He became the starting left tackle for the team in 2017 and was able to show some improvement thanks to actually getting on-field reps.
In 2018, Okeke played very well in the Ohio Valley Conference, and he was named to the All-OVC first-team for his efforts. He helped lead the Tennessee State offense to a third-place finish in both passing and total yards in the OVC. Okeke declared for the NFL Draft after his senior season and he was expected to be a priority free agent who could potentially sneak into the very end of the draft.
While Okeke didn’t get drafted, he still has a chance to make a roster or practice squad. On the surface, landing with the Washington Redskins seems like a good spot for him, and it will be interesting to see if the team can maximize his skill set.
What Okeke does well
One thing that is clear from watching Okeke is that he is a great athlete. He has a nice 6-5 frame and weighs in at 317 pounds, but he still possesses very good athleticism.
At Tennessee State’s Pro Day, Okeke clocked a 40-yard dash in the 5.1 range and displayed his top-end athletic ability and speed. Given that he moves pretty well and fluidly on tape, this is encouraging, as he has the prerequisite size that teams look for when they try and find players to develop at the tackle position.
DraftAnalyst.com broke down Okeke’s overall skill set and hit on some of the major positives that Okeke has: athletic ability, movement skills, upside, and effort. Here’s a look at what was said in that report.
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"Former LSU transfer and developing offensive tackle with big upside. Sets with a wide base, works to bend his knees and quickly sets up off the snap. Stays square, keeps his feet moving and works his hands. Displays the ability to slide laterally in pass protection and shows range off the edge. Easily moves about the field, gives effort and makes outstanding use of angles and positioning to seal defenders from the play. Displays good hand punch and knocks defenders from their angles of attack."
In watching Okeke, it’s clear that he shows some solid ability in these areas. His movement skills are particularly strong and they will be key in showing that he has what it takes to make it at the next level. There are some finer points in his technique that need refining, but he demonstrates a solid knowledge of the game and understands what he is supposed to do in various circumstances.
The name of the game with Okeke is upside. But, for the time being, there are some areas for improvement, and that’s ultimately what led him to go undrafted.
What Okeke can improve
Okeke’s biggest weakness is that he is still raw. While he got some development in at Tennessee State, he still needs to get more reps, and it may be a year or two before he’s a solid tackle at the NFL level.
On tape, Okeke showcases a lack of balance and some technique that needs refinement. His balance isn’t great, and as a result, he has trouble engaging with blockers and staying upright. It’s clear that he is still learning the fundamentals of the position, but this is to be expected of a player who was late to the game as a two-year starter at an FCS school.
Additionally, Okeke will need to bulk up a bit for the NFL. He has a nice frame (6-5, 317 pounds) but he has to add some functional strength. He has enough to get by, but if he wants to win at the point of attack with strength, he will need to add about 10 pounds of muscle.
With time to develop, Okeke could be solid. He will be able to find that time on a practice squad or as a fourth tackle on a roster, provided that he can impress enough in the offseason.
How Okeke fits with the Redskins
The Redskins lost Ty Nsekhe in the offseason, so they are thinner than normal at the backup tackle position. While former third-round pick Geron Christian figures to take over as the swing tackle, whether he’s ready for that role or not, the team doesn’t have an option currently established as their fourth tackle.
There are a number of options for Washington at that position. Okeke is one of them. Fellow undrafted free agent Juwann Bushell-Beatty and former undrafted player out of Stony Brook, Timon Parris, will be his main competition for a roster spot. Parris remained with the team on the practice squad and roster last year, so he may have the initial leg up.
Of course, Ereck Flowers could also garner consideration as the fourth tackle/backup guard. If he can’t beat out Wes Martin for the starting job at left guard, he may play a versatile backup role. While he has proven to be a turnstile at tackle, he does have years of experience at the position, so he could push Okeke for that spot.
Regardless of the competition, Okeke has the frame needed to be a solid NFL tackle. If he can bulk up and demonstrate sound technique, that may be enough for the team to keep him on board. Given how well the team was able to develop Nsekhe, it’s possible that they could do similar work with Okeke and turn him into a solid swing tackle.
Okeke does have competition, but there’s a chance that the undrafted man from Tennessee State could make the 53-man roster. If not, he seems like a favorite for a spot on the practice squad, unless both Parris and Bushell-Beatty outplay him and make it hard to keep him around.