The offensive linemen at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine do field drills today, and given the recent update with the Trent Williams situation, the Redskins have to do their due diligence.
Of course, offensive line is always a position worth strengthening, as it might be the most important cohesive position group on the field. The offensive line quite literally preserves the very functioning of the offense, and without security on that front, teams have a hard time gaining momentum.
The Washington Redskins offensive line surprisingly wasn’t horrible in 2019; Donald Penn filled in admirably at left tackle, and Ereck Flowers showed major growth at left guard. But with both guard spots and the left tackle spot still up for grabs, it’s important that the Redskins know who their options are in the 2020 NFL Draft, if they don’t re-sign in-house candidates.
With that said, let’s take a look at three offensive linemen who you should watch later today, when the offensive linemen take to the field at the NFL Scouting Combine. These linemen are players who should be available in the middle rounds, where the Redskins are most likely to invest in their front five.
No. 3 – Fresno State OL Netane Muti
If the Redskins want a starting-caliber guard, either to replace Brandon Scherff or line up across from him on the left side, Fresno State’s Netane Muti has all the tools needed to fill that role, and he’ll show that later today.
On Thursday, Muti paced the offensive linemen at the NFL Combine with a whopping 44 bench reps, tied for fourth-most in NFL Combine history, The 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman also has a decent 77-inch wingspan, and on Friday, he’ll look to complete the process with good mobility numbers.
On tape, Muti’s bilateral strength and athleticism certainly show up in tandem with one another; he’s a very powerful blocker at the point of attack, and he has impressive quickness and flexibility with his movement. The only thing keeping Muti from being a surefire Day 2 pick is his injury history, but if he can prove his two Achilles injuries and his Lisfranc mishap didn’t cost him any spryness on Friday, then he can put those concerns to bed as well.
No. 2 – St. John OL Ben Bartch
Ben Bartch has been a steady riser since the start of the draft process. He famously came to the Senior Bowl as a non-FBS prospect and proceeded to go toe-to-toe with the cast of edge rushers there. Now, Bartch has a chance to sell the NFL on his athletic upside, and if he does, he could go higher than expected.
For the Redskins, Bartch is a unique fit, as he can be moved to guard with his mean streak and size. At 6-foot-6, 309, with an 80-inch wingspan, Bartch has the tools to play at a variety of positions on the line. If the Redskins need him at tackle, that’s where he played in college, and that’s where his skills translate just as well.
Bartch is a light-footed player who has no trouble getting around. His weight and strength are legitimate questions as he makes the leap to the NFL, but he compensates for whatever pitfalls can be found there with good fundamentals and instinctual technique. If Bartch does well enough in the mobility drills, the Redskins can circle another Round 3 option who might solve their line problem.
No. 1 – South Carolina State OT Alex Taylor
Did someone say “upside”? I did, actually. I’ve said it a lot this offseason, but with Alex Taylor, it takes on a whole new meaning.
Taylor was a player I highlighted in a Senior Bowl article a little while ago. He’s a massive specimen at over 6-foot-8, 308 pounds, with a straight-up scary 88-inch wingspan. Taylor has the length to keep himself clean when blocking, as well as the mobility to position himself to maximize leverage.
Taylor is still a work in progress, but he has all the tools, and while his functional strength is also a concern, much like Bartch, he did manage 21 bench reps with 36-inch arms. Length makes the bench press a more difficult exercise, but Taylor managed to put up a respectable number.
Taylor has the framework to build upon, and even if he does well in movement drills, he has a good chance of falling to early Day 3, where the Redskins could easily scoop him up and groom him to be a potential starter down the road.