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Redskins are in a tough spot with Trent Williams’ holdout

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins enters the field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins enters the field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Offensive tackle Jylan Ware #69 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Offensive tackle Jylan Ware #69 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Redskins overall depth at tackle is razor thin.

Washington has minimal depth at offensive tackle. In fact, minimal is putting it lightly.

The other options on the roster pale in comparison to the unproven Christian. At least the Louisville product was a Day 2 draft pick. The other options on the roster are both not plentiful and constantly changing.

So far this offseason, the Redskins have been cycling through tackles like crazy. The team has had a parade of players come in and out of the door in the past few weeks including Chidi Okeke, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Adam Bisnowaty, Jylan Ware, Brian Wallace, and Blake Hance. Only the latter two are on the roster at the moment.

In essence, the Redskins tackle depth is the real-life version of this GIF (via GIPHY).

While exploring many options at tackle makes sense, especially in wake of the injuries the team dealt with on the offensive line last year, it’s still a problem that they haven’t settled on a fourth tackle for the roster.

In addition to the undrafted duo of Wallace and Hance, the team has Timon Parris — a member of the practice squad and active roster last year — and Ereck Flowers. The Redskins have been adamant about moving Flowers, a failed first-round left tackle, to guard, so he isn’t a realistic option to play at tackle outside of emergency situations. Meanwhile, Parris has potential, so he may be the best option at the position for now. But even still, he is unproven.

It’s still just camp and it’s very early, but tackle depth is definitely a major concern. Especially looking at the depth players that would be fighting for the swing tackle position if Williams holds out long-term.

Considering how weak the Redskins offensive weaponry already is, they’re going to need their offensive line to play well and use a ground-and-pound attack if they want to win. And make no mistake, Jay Gruden doesn’t just want to win. He needs to win. That won’t happen if Williams doesn’t return and help shore up the tackle depth.

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