3 veteran free-agent offensive tackles the Commanders should consider in 2023

Commanders should consider Cameron Fleming

Cameron Fleming has played on some good lines – the New England Patriots in the mid-teens – and some bad ones – the New York Giants in 2020. His production has often mirrored the quality of those around him.

Last year, at 30 years old, Fleming got one of his few chances to play a lot as a regular starter with the Denver Broncos. And he played pretty darned well.

Fleming’s career trajectory is very similar to that of Cornelius Lucas, and it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Washington Commanders to consider him unless they feel like their current option has slowed down enough to warrant a change at swing tackle. If so, the free agent would be an ideal short-term candidate. He has plenty of experience playing both on the right and the left.

As with Eric Fisher, it is hard to know Fleming’s state of mind. He has taken some meetings but no offers have been reported.

There’s a very good chance that a player in Fleming’s position is going to wait until training camp to latch on with a team. At that point, injuries will have accumulated around the league and he may have much more leverage to go after a starting spot

At this point, the Commanders have three legitimate tackles, a couple of guys who can slide over in a pinch, and a couple of totally untested prospects on the bench. Though Fleming may be viewed for now as a possible replacement for Lucas, should anything happen to their projected tackle trio, he becomes the first call general manager Martin Mayhew should make.