Offensive Line

This is the bigger issue. They must not view Dillard as a franchise left tackle based on what they've seen. Jason Peters has been an excellent tackle his whole career. But he's 38 years old. They'd be lucky to squeeze one more healthy season out of him.

It sounds like Dillard has been less than impressive. And that worries me when your alternative is a 38 year old tackle that's not exactly injury prone but he's still a massive man and 38.

I know Jeffery is just a salary dump as a part of the deal but I really think he's pretty much done. He was never fast to begin with and he's never healthy. Even when he plays he's questionable. 16 games three times in 8 years. Two of those years were year two and three.

 

Sounds like they aren’t squeezing another year out of peters.

Would be a good stop gap here/insurance against missing the top tackles in the draft.

 

Trent Williams on trade block now. Personally kinda scared of the idea given medical history and his issues in Washington

 

I also don't like the idea of giving up draft capital for a 31-year-old. I know offensive linemen can play well into their 30s, but it isn't guaranteed and he would want a big contract. Speculation is the Skins would be looking for at least a third-rounder. Would we be able to find a potential long-term center with our third-round pick (serious question for the daftniks on here)? If so, I'd prefer that to a tackle who'll be with us two or three years and then leave us with the same hole on the line we currently have.

 

To answer your question I do think we could find a center in the third this year. But also tackles can generally play until late 30. 38ish or later. O line generally have a longer career. Bit I don't know that Williams will. Last he tried to put on his helmet it caused him pain. This would have to be a very cautious deal on our part. I might give a 4th and want a team friendly deal. I don't think he would go for it though

 

As much as I want the OL upgraded immediately to 5 All Pro players, the more prudent approach is to not blow all the cap money at once. With that in mind I'd be okay with them signing 2-3 FA that are clear upgrades, if not All Pros, and then draft 2-3, at least one of those at #11. Then next year, the same approach with the exception that hopefully they don't have to use their 1st pick on OL and can use it for a WR/CB/Pass Rusher if they still have a hole(s) there.

Following this plan they would certainly be MUCH better this year, and then be really good the next season.

 

Egoda wasn't very good in 17. USC had Darnold rolling Right and gave Egoda help often. Him becoming starting LT definitely had a negative impact on Darnold's performance.
I didn't watch much if any USC in 18 so maybe he improved his senior year.

He wasn't very good last year. What did he do his first game? 2 sacks, 2 penalties, 4hits allowed 4 pressures...... Didn't have a single game without multiple pressures and or hits allowed. He has the athleticism to become a starter but still needs to add strength and home his technique to become a quality starter. At this point he's a swing tackle.

 

I've been researching our starting 5 possibilities and think I came up with something interesting. I think we are going to have to sign Beachum at LT for 2020. As good as Becton is and as bright as his future is, he is not ready to start at LT. I've researched several scouting reports and the consensus is that he is not ready to pass-block in a passing set. He does very well on play-action protection but according to PFF, he only had 79 opportunities at LT in a passing set and of those he gave up 7 qb pressures. Furthermore another source who is a retired NFL tackle remarks he is still susceptible to inside countermoves against good DE/EDGE.

He could learn on the fly but I think JD will come to the conclusion that it is better to start his career at LG and slowly bring him to LT. I believe they will cut Winters and use the cap savings towards Beachum assuming he is still the player he was last year.

Therefore the starting 5 will be Beachum, Becton, McGovern, Lewis/Van Roten, Fant/Edoga. There will likely be another 2 backups based upon training camp performance.

 

I don't think you sign Fant if you're going to bring Beachum back as the starter. Nor do you draft Becton where you drafted him and play him as a guard. It's backwards development. I think he's a better fit at right tackle than left tackle though. But that's OK. Great right tackles are hard to come by too.

I imagine the five from left to right will be Fant-Lewis-McGovern-Van Roten-Becton with Winters having the best chance to take a guard spot.

 

I disagree. Becton has been working all offseason with a very respected OL Coach and supposedly has shown great improvement. I think he will start at RT at a mininmum, but may be able to beat Fant out for the LT spot. Either way, I think Becton and Fant will be the starting OTs, McGovern the starting C, and probably Lewis and Van Roten as the starting OGs.

 

I think you guys are overestimating Fant. I know there was talk of him at LT but I never believed it. Here are some PFF stats reported by CBS:

"Despite only being on the field for 221 pass blocking snaps in 2019, PFF charted Fant having allowed two sacks, two additional quarterback hits, and 20 total pressures allowed -- these numbers surely factored into his subpar overall grade".

I believe he was really here to play RT as a Shell replacement and as I'm sure you are aware, he is on a 1-yr contract for all intents and purposes. There is no confidence in him nor should there be given his pedigree and play through his first 3 years.

Regarding Winters, I will be shocked if he isn't cut or drastically restructured. He is not much better if at all better than lower paid players on the squad.

I don't see it as advantageous to play Becton at RT given his current limitations in pass protection. Right now he is a road grader with huge potential. I don't see it as backwards to develop him inside in his first year.

Of course we will see what JD will do. I wanted to put my Beachum theory out there prior to his possible signing.

 

There’s an 80% chance he starts at LT, and a 100% chance he starts at one of the tackle spots. No shot they move him to guard. This regime threw Chuma Edoga in before he was ready - they’re gonna let him play through the growing pains

 

I would love it if Clarke could win a starting OG job this season. While unlikely, it is possible. I can't see any way that Edoga would beat out Fant for the starting RT job. I don't even like having Edoga as the swing tackle. I also think that Van Roten would beat out Winters.

Question: Since Clarke is used to playing on the left side, why do you have him at RG? Is it because you think it would help Becton to have the experienced Lewis beside him, and you have a player with a nasty mindset on each side of the OL? I can't see any way that #6 would happen. The right side of the line would be too questionable with a rookie at RG and the shaky Edoga at RT. I think that #2 is the most realistic, but am rooting for #3. I don't think #4-#6 are realistic, but I'm rootomg for them all.

 

Don't count out Clark the OT from Charlett. My bet is he beats out Louis for LG spot. He can play all 5 positions on the OL. Next year he will be our RT & Fant will be a cap casualty. 10th is way to much, unless he really surprises us & plays up to his contract. My starting 5 OL is
LT BECTOM, LG CLARKE , C MCGOVERN , RG ROTEN, RT FANT

 

I would love it if that happened, but at this point, I'm not sure I can see that. Based on what I've read, the consensus seems to be that he will need a year or two before he is ready to start.

 

RT is a train wreck

 

I suspect the season will start off with Option #2, and as the season progresses it will gradually move toward Option #6.