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Leaders in each Redskins position battle ahead of preseason Week 2

By Jacob Camenker

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins calls a play from the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins calls a play from the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field at the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field at the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Left Tackle

The battle here is for the starting job and right now, the leader here is clear.

1. Trent Williams

The first preseason game confirmed what many always expected to be true. Without Trent Williams in the lineup, the Redskins don’t have much at the left tackle position. While Williams likely wouldn’t have played much in the team’s preseason opener against the Browns, the team wouldn’t have to worry as much about the performance of his backups in this game if he was with the team. But, Williams is still holding out and the team is refusing to trade him. So, there is no end in sight.

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If Williams isn’t back before the season starts — which is looking highly likely — the Redskins could have a lot of trouble at the tackle position. The team needs to do everything they can to convince him to return. But if the situation is truly untenable, the team is going to have major issues at left tackle this year.

2. Donald Penn

Of the two starter candidates at left tackle, Penn was better in the preseason opener. Though Penn did get beat by a spin move on one occasion, he blocked fairly well in his limited time on the field. Penn’s experience should make him the favorite at the moment and as he shakes the rust off and learns the Redskins system more (remember, he has only been here for two weeks) he should get better and be a serviceable option for the squad.

3. Geron Christian

Christian was a third-round pick just a year ago, but he still has a long way to go before he can be a contributor at the NFL level. Myles Garrett gave him fits in Thursday’s preseason game and in one instance, Christian looked like a rag doll being thrown around by Garrett. Christian needs to get stronger and improve his technique before he can be entrusted as a starter. Unless he shows marked improvement against the Bengals, he is better served as a swing tackle and would likely be the fourth tackle on a team with more depth.

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