John Matsko’s history developing offensive linemen bodes well for Redskins

Matsko’s work with the Panthers: Draft picks

Not only has Matsko been able to develop undrafted players and unheralded free agents. He has done a good job of helping the team develop draft picks at the position as well.

In 2014, the Panthers drafted Trai Turner in the third round of the NFL Draft. The LSU product quickly worked his way into the starting lineup at the right guard position and has made the Pro Bowl in five consecutive seasons. His addition and rapid improvement at guard did a lot to help the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 and Matsko deserves credit for Turner’s consistent play.

The Panthers traded Turner for offensive tackle Russell Okung after the departure of Matsko in what is certainly a questionable move given that Turner, 27, is in the prime of his career. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers regret that or if Matt Rhule can get the most out of Okung, 31.

Another of Matsko’s success stories was offensive tackle Daryl Williams. The 2015 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma was selected as a developmental tackle option and potential swing player but he turned into something better.

Williams began to emerge as the team’s starter at right tackle in 2016 and enjoyed his best season in 2017, committing just two penalties and allowing four sacks. Considering he was blocking for a mobile quarterback, those numbers were solid. A severe knee injury robbed him of his 2018 season but in 2019, he returned. Matsko opted to play him at left tackle and inside at guard when Greg Little was healthy. As a result, Williams turned into a bit of a super-sub.

Williams allowed a lot of sacks (12, most in the NFL) but he was blocking for inexperienced quarterbacks and was just a year removed from the serious injury. If he’s healthier in 2020, he should make an impact for the Buffalo Bills, where he now plays. But either way, Matsko utilized his versatility well and definitely played a role in developing him.

As mentioned, Williams lost his starting right tackle role in 2019 and that was thanks to the play of Taylor Moton. The 2017 second-round pick from Western Michigan is another player that Matsko helped develop. After serving as a backup during his rookie season, Moton replaced Williams as a starter on the right side and was rock-solid in 16 games. Matsko liked him enough to keep him there in 2019, and the results were solid once again.

It certainly would have been interesting to see what Matsko could’ve accomplished with 2019 second-round pick Greg Little. The 22-year-old was only able to play in four games as a rookie but has a promising skill set and could develop into a solid blindside blocker at the next level. But with Matsko’s departure and the Panthers’ addition of Okung this offseason in the Turner trade, he will likely be the team’s swing tackle for a season.

Matsko’s track record with these draft picks shows that he knows how to get the most out of talented players. Not every lineman that the Panthers picked during his time there panned out (notably, Amini Silatolu and Edmund Kugbila never amounted to much) but more often than not, when the team spent a pick at the position, Matsko carved out a role for his players.