A young talent influx this offseason would do wonders for the Washington Commanders after injuries and general decrepitude derailed their 2025 campaign. While the $74.55 million they have available in salary cap space will be intriguing to use, the Commanders need to build this team through the draft.
That starts in the trenches on both sides of the ball. While the open market is set to have great potential additions available in every conceivable price range, Washington has an unheralded problem brewing on the interior offensive line, with Chris Paul destined for free agency.
In the spirit of getting younger and adding talent to the draft, Dan Quinn, Adam Peters and the rest of the Commanders' front office should have their eyes fixed on Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge, who could be a hidden draft gem on Day 2 of the event.
Commanders should target Georgia Tech IOL Keylan Rutledge on Day 2 of April's draft
Rutledge was a full-time starter for the Yellow Jackets for the final two years of his college career after starting at Middle Tennessee. Although he played some left guard as a freshman, he settled in at right guard, hunkering down for just over 2,800 offensive snaps. That is a lot of experience.
He was an All-American as a senior at Georgia Tech and won the Brian Piccolo Award, given annually to the ACC player who displayed the most courage. Rutledge has been through a lot off the field but has persevered, and now his NFL dreams are on the cusp of coming true.
But he's not just a great story. Rutledge can flat-out play. He starred at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama, last month, proclaiming himself as a "mauler" on multiple occasions when speaking with the media. Rutledge has a downright nasty demeanor, one you want from an offensive lineman.
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His best attributes are his incredible strength and punching power, his work in combo blocks, and his ability to maintain his technique and frequently win the hand-fighting battle. He is firmly a Day 2 pick, and he should be available when the Commanders are on the clock at No. 71.
Holding him back from being an earlier Day 2 pick or a first-round prospect is his tendency to overset in pass protection and his rigid lower half, preventing him from being as mobile as he needs to be. Rutledge has still been effective, but he has room to improve, as all rookies do.
Stealing a potential Day 1 starter in the third round would be a heist for Quinn and Peters, who need to address the interior offensive line more than people acknowledge. Rutledge has all the makings of a sneaky-good prospect.