Three available free agents that the Redskins should consider signing
. Offensive Tackle. New York Jets. Kelvin Beachum. 1. player. 30
The Washington Redskins have a gaping hole at left tackle. Trent Williams still wants out and the team is looking to trade him. They’re just holding out to ensure that they get what they believe would be fair compensation in exchange for their veteran.
But if and when they do trade Williams, the cupboard will be bare at tackle. Last year’s starter, Donald Penn, is gone. Cornelius Lucas, a great swing tackle who was added in free agency, could start at the position, but that would leave the team lacking depth at tackle.
Geron Christian, a player that looks like a third-round bust, would have to slot into the swing role and that could be bad news for the Redskins. And Timon Parris, a player with size and upside, would be the fourth tackle.
On paper, that doesn’t look great. And it looks even less favorable when considering that right tackle Morgan Moses is coming off a down year. The team simply needs more proven depth and while they may invest in a mid-round tackle in a strong tackle class, they would still be smart to add a veteran to help out while that player develops.
That’s why Kelvin Beachum would be such a good fit. Beachum was a valuable asset for the Jets last season. When both he and Sam Darnold played, the team had a 7-2 record and were solid on offense. When either was out, they couldn’t do anything at all.
Beachum is 31 and is a solid but unspectacular left tackle. He’s the perfect stopgap candidate for Washington. He could occupy that side of the line, make Lucas the swing, and afford the draft pick, whoever that may be, to duke it out with Christian for the fourth roster spot. It would greatly improve the blocking for Dwayne Haskins which is critical ahead of his second season.
Beachum likely wouldn’t cost too much considering that he and Cordy Glenn, two similar, veteran tackles, are lingering on the open market. If they offer him a deal worth the $8 million he made with the Jets last year, perhaps that would be enough to get him on board. Or maybe he’d even sign for less.
Either way, it would be worth it because it would 1) strengthen Haskins’ protection and 2) make it easier for the Redskins to pass on some of the elite offensive tackles available in the top 10 to take Chase Young.
Next. Five prospects Redskins could trade up for in Round 2. dark
We’ll see if the Redskins show an interest in Beachum. But at this point, he may be one of the more sensible fits available for the squad. And he may not even be as expensive as we’re projecting in this piece.