Free Agency 2021 Preview: Offensive Line

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February 26, 2021

By Noonefromtampa

The Washington Football Team finished 29th-worst in in the NFL in sacks given up and 26th in rushing yards gained. Those are not numbers indicative of a great offensive line; just an average one. Looking at the current offensive line:

The level of involvement for WFT in offensive line free agency will depend on whether or nor Scherff is brought back. If Scherff signs elsewhere, picking up a guard in free agency would give the team flexibility heading into the draft. Washington’s coaching staff was high on Charles and Ismael so I don’t see them pursuing a high-profile free agent at tackle or center. David Sharpe, who the team picked up in a trade prior to last season and backed up Moses, is also a free agent. As a result, they may look to sign depth at tackle depending on the health of Charles and Christian.

Overall, there are around 155 free agent offensive linemen in the various categories (unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights). This number will probably increase as teams release players to shed cap dollars to get under the 2021 cap.

Some of better offensive line players available in free agency, as of this posting, are:

Guards

  • Joe Thuney – (6’5”, 308 lbs, 28 years old). Drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 draft. He has started 80 games for them at guard, including the two Super Bowl champion teams (LI, LIII) and was a second team All-Pro in 2019.
  • Forrest Lamp – (6’4” 310 lbs, 26 years old). Drafted by the Chargers in the second round in 2017. Lamp started only 17 games for them primarily serving at the top backup on the interior line but in 2020 was a full-time starter.
  • Germain Ifedi – (6’5”, 340 lbs, 26 years old). Drafted by Seattle in the first round in 2016 and played with Chicago in 2020. Was drafted as a tackle but was moved inside. Seattle declined his fifth year option, has started 76 games in his career.
  • John Miller – (6’3”, 315 lbs, 27 years old), Originally drafted in the third round by Buffalo and spent four years with them. Spent 2019 with the Bengals and 2020 with the Panthers and has started 74 games in his career.
  • Chris Reed – (6’5”, 310 lbs, 28 years old). An undrafted free agent out of a Division II college, spent 4 years with the Jaguars, then spent time with the Dolphins and Panthers. Has played in 33 games but only started 9.
  • Brian Winters – (6’4”, 320 lbs, 29 years old). Drafted in the third round of the 2013 draft by the Jets, he played for them until 2019 and in 2020 played for Buffalo. Has started 79 games in his career. Took Jon Feliciano’s spot when he was injured in 2020.
  • Jon Feliciano – (6’4”, 325 lbs, 28 years old). Drafted in the 4th round by the Raiders in 2015. Was with them through 2018 season and then the Bills the last two years. Played in 78 games but only started 33.
  • J. R. Sweezy – (6’6”, 310 lbs, age 31). Former 7th round draft pick of the Seahawks, has played for three different teams in his career in which he started 104 games. He has a history of injuries which lead to his release from Tampa Bay in 2017.
  • Nick Easton – (6’3”, 300 lbs, age 28). Former undrafted player from Harvard, who has been with four different team since 2015. Played for the Saints the last two seasons and has started 32 games in his career, while playing in 45 games.

Tackles

  • Russell Okung (6’5”, 310 lbs, 32 years old). Former first round pick by the Seahawks in 2010. He has started 131 games in his career at left tackle. Most recently with the Panthers.
  • Trent Williams (6’5”, 320 lbs, 32 years old). Former first round pick of the Redskins in 2010. He has started 133 games at left tackle.
  • Alejandro Villanueva (6’9”, 320 lbs, 32 years old). An undrafted free agent from Army, who was an Army Ranger and became a starting left tackle in the NFL. Has started 90 games in his career.
  • Cameron Fleming – (6’5”, 320 lbs, 28 years old). Fourth round pick of the Patriots on 2014 and played with them through 2017. Spent 2018-2019 season with the Cowboys and 2020 with the Giants. Pretty much a journeyman right tackle at this point in his career with 27 starts in 76 games.
  • Matt Feiler – (6’6”, 330 lbs, 28 years old). An undrafted free agent who was on the Texans practice squad in 2014 and the Steelers practice squad in 2015. Has been on the Steelers roster since 2016 and has 40 starts, mostly at right tackle.
  • Daryl Williams – (6’6”, 330 lbs, 28 years old). A fourth-round pick in 2015, he spent four years with the Panthers and 2020 with the Bills. He has played in 72 games, starting 57. He is a versatile player who has played every offensive line position except for center.
  • Cam Robinson – (6’6”, 320 lbs, 25 years old). Drafted in the second round in 2017 by the Jaguars. He has started 47 games since then. He has some red flags from a pre-draft arrest, plus in 2020 he made contact with a referee and was ejected from the game.

Centers

  • Dan Feeney – (6’4”, 310 lbs, 26 years old). Drafted in the 3rd round by the Chargers and started 57 games for them at guard and center.
  • Austin Reiter – (6’3”, 305 lbs, 29 years old). Originally drafted in the 7th round by Washington, played once game for the Browns and started for the last two years for the Chiefs, including in Super Bowl LIV.
  • Corey Linsley – (6’3”, 301 lbs), 29 years old). A fifth round pick by the Packers and started 99 games for them. Was a 2020 first team All-Pro.
  • David Andrews – (6’3”, 300 lbs, 28 years old). An undrafted free agent who played for the Patriots, starting 69 games and part of two Super Bowl champion teams (LI, LIII). Missed significant time last two seasons due to injury.
  • Austin Blythe – (6’3”, 298 lbs, 28 years old). Originally drafted in the 7th round to back up Ryan Kelley in Indianapolis, went the Rams and has been starting at center and guard at the last two years.

What to expect

I don’t think the Washington Football Team will make any splashy free agent signing on the offensive line outside of trying to re-sign Scherff. Not bringing him back means that WFT will probably pursue one of better free agent guard such as Thuney, Ifedi, Easton or  Feliciano. They may also opt to use one of their top draft picks on the offensive line position, if they have not been traded away for a quarterback. If they do re-sign Scherff, but let Sharpe walk, they may opt for depth signings such as Daryl Williams or Blythe. Both of those players can play multiple positions on the offensive line, which would improve the overall line depth.

 

Sources: spotrac.com and overthecap.com