General manager Adam Peters took a big risk this offseason by releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz. The Washington Commanders seem content with Nick Allegretti as the replacement, with sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin backing up, but getting complacent is not an option.
And an intriguing report from ESPN insider Adam Schefter may not go unnoticed by the Commanders in their constant quest for roster improvements.
Schefter revealed that Ethan Pocic, a nine-year pro who turned out for the Cleveland Browns last season, has received medical clearance to resume football activities at training camp. He is a free agent, but a source told the insider that the center is "full go" and ready for another opportunity.
Ethan Pocic is ready to return, and the Commanders should seriously consider giving him a shot
Dependable offensive linemen are hard to find at this stage of the summer. Pocic is now ready to rock, and he should have a market. Obviously, the Commanders would need to ensure that the medical assessments are satisfactory and that no other problems could surface, but this sort of move would turn up the heat exponentially.
The Commanders may be satisfied with Allegretti at center. He played well when deputizing for Biadasz late last season, and getting a contract extension in advance was another vote of confidence. That said, the Illinois product remains an unknown quantity.
Pocic is much more of a sure thing, taking away the injury concerns. And if he doesn't do enough to unseat Allegretti in this scenario, his experience across the interior makes him an instant upgrade on Washington's backup options.
The 2017 second-round pick out of LSU is probably looking for a chance to start. Opportunities like that are at a premium with rosters set and competitions well underway. Washington is one of the few places that would give him a real shot, and this is unlikely to cost all that much to find out for sure.
It's an option. Peters might not consider it, but nothing should be completely dismissed.
Pocic's performances weren't exactly stellar last season, but that was the case for almost everyone on Cleveland's protection. He's got enough qualities to get the benefit of the doubt, but that still doesn't mean the Commanders will declare their interest.
Biadasz will be a big loss on the field and in the locker room. Allegretti could be a serviceable replacement, but we won't know for sure until the real action arrives. Gulbin boasts long-term upside, but asking him to log starting-caliber reps anytime soon just isn't smart.
More could be required. And Pocic just became the best realistic option on the market after a massive step forward in his recovery.
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