5 potential Commanders candidates to replace Charles Leno Jr.

Commanders could draft an OT early on Day 2

It's no secret that the Washington Commanders are rich in draft assets this offseason. Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the deadline gave general manager Adam Peters two extra Day 2 selections to utilize. Now that the team has released Charles Leno Jr., examining left tackle prospects who could be available at some stage in Rounds 2-3 wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

This is a deep draft class for offensive linemen. Something that hasn't gone unnoticed by Peters. As a result, this made the Commanders' decision to cut both Leno and Nick Gates a lot easier.

Much will depend on what happens before they go on the clock early in Round No. 2, but the likes of Jordan Morgan, Amarius Mims, Tyler Guyton, Troy Fautanu, and Kingsley Suamataia might be viable long-term options with further development.

If the Commanders decide to wait a little longer and use a third-round pick on an offensive tackle who has the scope to become an immediate starter, prospects such as Patrick Paul, Dominick Puni, K.T. Leveston, and Julian Pearl could be worthy of further investigation.

Leno's release was expected, in all honesty. The Commanders are moving forward without some established veterans who didn't show enough under the previous regime. That does not detract from how important it is for Peters to get Washington's next blindside protector right at the first time of asking.