Best free-agent offensive tackles available if Redskins need reinforcements

The Washington Redskins are thin at tackle and if Trent Williams‘ holdout continues, they may need to add some depth at the position.

Coming into the 2019 NFL season, the Washington Redskins have a few glaring concerns on their roster. Some are more obvious than others, and the wide receiver position and the safety spot next to Landon Collins stand out as potential problems for the squad.

However, if you look further down the depth chart at many positions, it also becomes clear that the team could have a weakness on the offensive line. The Redskins have minimal depth at the offensive tackle position. While the team was always expected to lose swing tackle Ty Nsekhe in the offseason, Trent Williams’ holdout wasn’t exactly expected. And as long as he is out, the team will be razor-thin at the position.

Depending on how long Williams’ holdout continues, the Redskins may want to consider adding some veteran experience to their relatively young offensive tackle room. Even if Williams does return, the team could be in position to add a contributor to provide depth or compete with Geron Christian for the swing tackle role.

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If the team does elect to target some help, here’s a look at some of the top offensive tackles still available on the open market and the teams they most recently played with.

Donald Penn, Raiders. Penn most recently suited up for the Oakland Raiders in 2018 but was limited to just four games and two starts after suffering a season-ending leg injury. At age 36, Penn may not have much left in the tank, but he was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017. If Williams’ holdout continues and the Redskins want a veteran to help with depth, Penn could be the ideal candidate to step in and provide that. His wealth of experience playing left and right tackle (178 games, 174 starts) could make him an asset even to help mentor the young players on the roster.

Ryan Schraeder, Falcons. Schraeder was once one of the better right tackles in the league but has since regressed. In the past four years in Atlanta, Schraeder has appeared in all but two games while starting all but three of those contests. He had his worst year as a starter last year, committing nine penalties and allowing seven sacks, and that’s why he has remained unsigned. But Schraeder is just 31 and could bounce back, so taking a flyer on him as depth could be smart.

Jermey Parnell, Jaguars. Parnell, like Schraeder, is another player who has mostly played right tackle during his career, logging at least 868 snaps at the position over the course of his four years as a Jaguars starter. He allowed a career-high five sacks last year and committed seven penalties, but only allowed one sack and four penalties the previous year. Perhaps Blake Bortles‘ regression hurt him. He could be intriguing veteran depth if the team doesn’t fall in love with any of their fourth tackle options.

Desmond Harrison, Cardinals. The Redskins put in a waiver claim when the Browns cut Harrison, but the Cardinals had the higher priority in the waiver order. Now, the Cardinals have parted ways with Harrison, but it seems unlikely that the Redskins would sign him in the wake of the assault charges that have surfaced against him.

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While these names could certainly help the Redskins out, it still seems more likely that the squad will roll with what they have at this point in time. And if they do make any additions, it may be in the form of alternating between young roster hopefuls at tackle, as that’s something that they have done quite a bit this offseason.

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