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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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SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 14: A general view of a helmet and football on the field at Qualcomm Stadium on November 14, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 14: A general view of a helmet and football on the field at Qualcomm Stadium on November 14, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

What Ismael needs to improve

There is a lot that Ismael needs to improve for the next level. For starters, he needs to bulk up a bit to avoid being tossed around at the NFL level. He’s 6-3, 309 pounds, but his functional strength is lacking.

Ismael doesn’t necessarily need to put on a ton of weight, especially if it’s going to hurt his quickness and athletic ability. But adding five pounds of muscle could work wonders for him. And if he doesn’t get stronger, he will run the risk of having issues with the bigger, stronger interior defensive linemen at the NFL level.

It also wouldn’t hurt Ismael’s cause to get better at sustaining blocks. While he often is able to get where he needs to go quickly because of his great first step, he doesn’t always stay engaged with defenders long-term. That could be somewhat due to his lacking strength, but if he wants to continue to open up lanes at the NFL level, he’ll need to be able to stay engaged longer and generate some more push. Otherwise, he’ll be moving in the wrong direction and will have trouble at creating space at the line of scrimmage.

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Ismael’s need to sustain blocks particularly shows up in pass protection. Too often, Ismael finds himself letting defenders slip by eventually in passing situations. That shouldn’t be a huge problem if the quarterback is able to get rid of the ball quickly, but even if he can improve his ability to sustain by a half a second, that could make a massive difference for the team.

And again, that’s an issue that can be fixed a bit with added strength, as he already is good at angling and positional blocking near the line of scrimmage.

In space, Ismael’s success as a blocker varies. He can definitely be a pulling guard or center in the NFL, but he’ll need to work on taking better angles to players at the second level. He is decent in that area currently, but with more work, he could really find success and turn that into a strength thanks to his movement skills.

So, Ismael has a lot to improve. That’s typical of a fifth-round pick. He should be able to work on these issues and find a way to fit in with the Redskins.

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