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Five biggest storylines to watch during Washington Football Team’s training camp

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the New York Jets defeated the Redskins 34-17 at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the New York Jets defeated the Redskins 34-17 at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 16: Cornelius Lucas #73 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the New York Giants during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 16: Cornelius Lucas #73 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the New York Giants during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. Who emerges as the starting left tackle

For decades, Washington had some of the best left tackle play in the NFL. Trent Williams. Chris Samuels. Jim Lachey. Joe Jacoby. Save for a period from 1995-1999, the team had perennial Pro Bowl candidates at the position.

But now, for the second consecutive season, the team has big questions at the position.

Williams held out from the team last year and Donald Penn was used as a veteran stopgap for the team since Ereck Flowers needed to play guard and Geron Christian wasn’t ready for the limelight. Penn was fine for a 37-year-old, but Washington didn’t re-sign him. And Williams was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-round pick.

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Now, Washington has a left tackle battle on their hands. The top candidates are free-agent signee Cornelius Lucas, fourth-round draft pick Saahdiq Charles, and former 2018 third-round pick Christian.

At this point, Lucas, who was rock-solid in eight starts for the Chicago Bears last season at right tackle, should be favored to start. The 6-foot-8 veteran may be better served as a swing tackle, but he is the most proven option at the position for Washington. And amid a shortened offseason, that will provide value.

That said, Charles will certainly push Lucas for the starting job. The LSU product is a great technician who found success for the Tigers when he was on the field. He bulked up during the offseason, which was necessary given his lower playing weight just under 300 pounds, so that should give him a chance to hold up on the outside at the NFL level.

But given the shortened offseason, Charles may need time to develop before hitting the field. As such, his goal should be to become the starter before the end of the season. He should begin his career as a swing tackle and can start once he’s ready.

As for Christian, he’s the Wild Card of the group. So far, he hasn’t shown anything that suggests he’s a capable NFL tackle. But maybe under a new coach, John Matsko, he’ll clean up some of his issues and avoid being tossed around like a rag doll. It’s not a guarantee, but if he looks better, perhaps he’ll be ready for a bigger role. But more likely, he’ll be battling Timon Parris for the fourth tackle job.

The left tackle job is extremely important. The player that wins the job will be tasked with protecting Haskins and helping to strengthen the left side of the O-Line, one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses. So, watching who emerges victorious in this battle will be crucial to the team’s early-season performance. For now, Lucas should be favored but don’t be surprised if Charles gives him a run for his money.

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