Redskins: Senior Bowl prospects to watch at positions of need

Offensive Line

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Senior Bowl Offensive Linemen to Watch

North Team

Michigan OG Ben Bredeson: There are two things every NFL offensive lineman unequivocally needs to succeed: Strength, and severity. Linemen with the mauler trait have the capacity to withstand frequent chaos in the trenches, and Michigan’s Ben Bredeson has those qualities. He doesn’t fit the Redskins draft range, as he’s a likely second-round pick, but a reinforcing Senior Bowl showing could change things, and make him a potential trade-back candidate.

UConn OT Matt Peart: Talk about length. Matt Peart came in with the second-highest wingspan among all Senior Bowl offensive linemen, measuring in at just over 86 inches. Length is a valuable tool in the trenches, as it allows linemen to establish an anchor and keep a defensive lineman’s hands off them. Peart has that, and while he needs to work to add strength at the NFL level, he has a potentially dominant blend of length and functional athleticism, through development.

Houston OT Josh Jones: Much like Peart, Josh Jones is a prospect with impressive athletic ability as a lineman, but a need to fill out his frame. Jones isn’t nearly as long as Peart, and he’s only 311 pounds despite being 6-foot-5. But linemen have succeeded at Jones’ weight, and he has the mobility to maximize his traits. That said, Jones is incredibly raw, and he’ll need the right coach to unlock his potential. In a deep tackle class, he could be a value grab later on, but that selection also comes with added risks.

South Team

LSU OL Lloyd Cushenberry: Lloyd Cushenberry has quickly been catching on in draft circles. Those who kept themselves updated with Cushenberry weekly in the season were aware of his prowess, but with the added publicity of a National Championship and the Senior Bowl, Cushenberry’s stock is going through the roof. Cushenberry is an exciting developmental prospect on the interior, with outstanding athleticism, attitude, and a menacing 83-inch wingspan. He projects to go in the void between the Redskins first and third-round picks, but if they can find a way to get him, and if they end up needing a starter at guard, it would undoubtedly be worth it.

Saint John’s OG Ben Bartch: The Senior Bowl is a testing ground for FCS prospects who aim to prove that they can compete against a heightened level of competition. Ben Bartch has passed the test so far. Bartch has a very good combination of anchor and athletic mobility, and he compounds it with a chip on his shoulder that only a Division III prospect can have. If Cushenberry is too expensive for the Redskins, Bartch is a guard with starting upside who’d be a bit more affordable.

South Carolina State OT Alex Taylor: Wondering who Matt Peart lost out against in the length competition? It’s this guy. Alex Taylor. Taylor clocked an absolutely insane 88-inch wingspan during measurements. He needs a ton of seasoning still, and he might be too big of a project for some NFL teams to take on. But with the way he moves, compared to his length, he has great upside as a blindside blocker, and if he can show marketable improvement over the course of Senior Bowl week, he can make teams more bullish on his upside.