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Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: Why Keith Ismael can be a future starter at center

By Jacob Camenker

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Offensive lineman Keith Ismael of San Diego State runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Offensive lineman Keith Ismael of San Diego State runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Offensive lineman Keith Ismael of San Diego State runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Offensive lineman Keith Ismael of San Diego State runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

What Keith Ismael does well

When watching Ismael play, it’s clear that his biggest strength is as a run blocker.

Ismael does well coming downhill and has a very quick first step. He’s not a mauler, but he simply moves well into contact to create lanes at the line of scrimmage. And after playing at San Diego State, and old-school, run-heavy offense under Rocky Long, he is well served to be a key part of an NFL rushing offense early in his career.

Because of his movement skills and quick feet, Ismael is able to get to the second-level when needed to help spring longer runs. He doesn’t always get there with the proper angling, but he did it enough to think that he could turn it into a strength of his at the NFL level.

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Aside from his good athletic ability and run blocking skills, Ismael has experience as a starter. He started 38 games for San Diego State and was able to grow and improve each year. He should be able to continue his upward trajectory at the next level as he gets more seasoning.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Ismael to former Denver Broncos center J.D. Walton during the pre-draft process. The comparison makes sense and so does Zierlein’s assessment of Ismael’s skill set.

"Reliable interior blocker with guard/center flexibility who is better-suited for zone blocking than trying to push people around heads-up. Ismael is a rhythmic move blocker with footwork and feel to find his landmarks. He’s also scrappy enough to hang in against power across from him, but he can’t do it alone. While he hasn’t consistently faced off against NFL-caliber competition, he appears to have enough anchor to help fortify the pocket for quarterbacks. He could find early work as a backup G/C, with the potential to become a starter."

That positional flexibility, scrappiness, and athletic ability should give him a chance to succeed. And at the very least, he looks like a great backup thanks to the skills he already has. And given that he’ll only turn 22 in July, he still has a lot of room for growth moving forward.

So, Ismael has a lot of positives going for him between his experience, youth, and run blocking prowess. But for the next level, there are certainly some areas he’ll need to improve before becoming a starter.

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