Previewing 2021 OL free agents for Washington football to watch

Interior Linemen

I was going to buck the trend of splitting linemen into tackles and “interior players,” and go old-school – splitting out the guards and the centers. Then I realized that I really couldn’t identify any good dark-horse center options. Voila — I’m back on the interior linemen bandwagon. Guards and centers have always been pretty interchangeable, and if anything, that seems to be increasingly common.

Among the pure guards, there’s this guy named Brandon Scherff – oh, we’ve already slugged that one out in other columns. Either you think Washington football needs to move heaven and earth to re-sign him (my view, AKA, the correct view), or you think his recent spate of injuries makes him too unreliable to sign to a big contract (the point of view of many others, AKA, the people who will waste no time in explaining how misguided I am).

If Washington football re-signs Scherff, it essentially precludes them from signing any other guards, unless they are true dart throws. However, if they decide to move on from Scherff, New England’s Joe Thuney could be available. He is among the best guards in the league, and at 27, will merit a long-term, high-money contract.

The brain trust in New England has made a rather nice living selling short on such guys. It’s hard to predict what they will do, but whereas most teams would not allow themselves to be outbid for a player like Thuney, the Patriots are one of the few that don’t seem to care.

If the price tag on Scherff and Thuney is deemed too high, I’d keep an eye on Buffalo’s Jon Feliciano, a very solid young vet who has improved each year he has been in the league. And it will be worthwhile to keep tabs on Senio Kelemete, another solid veteran coming off an injury in Houston. He might be available at a bargain price for a short-term deal. He is 30 now, but if his injury situation is deemed acceptable, he could have a number of solid years ahead.

If you’re looking for a center, several outstanding players are scheduled to hit the market. Atlanta’s Alex Mack is nearing retirement, but young vets Corey Linsley (Green Bay — remember, Rodgers has already used his chain to secure David Bakhtiari, but he might have another chain. He is, after all, Aaron Rodgers) and Matt Skura (Baltimore) might be available.

I would normally think Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson would want to use the same chain Rodgers would use on Linsley to keep his center in front of him, but there has been word that Baltimore is considering moving on from Skura.

Chase Roullier’s contract will be up as well, and of course, we are all excited about rookie Keith Ismael, who I have seen put in the Pro Bowl despite the fact that he has not yet been fitted for his burgundy and gold jock strap. I actually agree with the assessment that either Ismael or Roullier will be the starting center in D.C. come 2021, so this position question may be moot.

However, if Ryan Kelly gets tired of sugar cream pie and does not want to re-up in Indianapolis, do everything under the sun to get him to D.C. He’s that good.

Even if he is unskilled.