The Hog Sty’s 2019 Redskins Draft Preview: Interior Offensive Line

March 8, 2019

For a few seasons now, the Redskins have merely “made due” with what they had at center and left guard positions on the offensive line. Shawn Lauvao was often injured throughout his five seasons as a Redskin, former Redskin Spencer Long played out his rookie contract but had potential, retired Redskin Kory Lichtensteiger was serviceable but often injured, and Chase Roullier is still finding his way at center. In-between all those individuals listed? A myriad of injuries have taken place amongst the offensive line that created over a dozen starting five combinations with journeyman free agents filling in. The Redskins need stability at left guard and possibly center. I will not act as if offensive line analysis is my forte, but this is what the options for Washington look like.

Addison Ooms (23 years old) – Cal, 6’4, 305 lbs

The analyst believes Ooms has a great frame to play the guard position. He is capable of handling pass-rushers with both inside and outside moves; however, he struggles with lunging at times. Displays good explosiveness and quick hands which bodes well for pass protection.

Ooms can be a serviceable offensive lineman in his early pro seasons. He is not known to be a poor blocker in the run game, but over time as a professional, he will be able to build up the strength needed to be a competent starter. He struggles with many things due to his lack of strength  and his in-game awareness will take some tutelage from Bill Callahan if Washington drafts him before he is capable of handling 50-55 snaps as a starter. He is expected to go late in the draft, anywhere between fifth and seventh, solidifying his project status.

Mitch Hyatt (21 years old) – Clemson, 6’5, 310 lbs

This analyst believes Hyatt also has the size to play in the interior as an NFL pro. He is greatly experienced for a 21-year-old prospect, playing 57 games as a starter at Clemson University. His forte, like Ooms, is that of a pass-protecting offensive lineman. He has a great sense of awareness when protecting the quarterback.

He has played his collegiate career exclusively at offensive tackle, but what he struggles with (or the concerns surrounding him), makes him a great prospect to shift inside at guard like right guard Brandon Scherff. He will need to build his strength to handle the defensive tackles in the NFL, but he is a technical lineman that has all the tools to be successful and can work on developing as he starts for a team in 2019. He is projected to go between rounds three and four which is an excellent position for the interior lineman.

Dalton Risner (23 years old) – Kansas State, 6’5, 312 lbs

The analyst believes that although he lacks the size unlike Hyatt and Ooms, he is still an effective blocker on the collegiate level and will be able to translate to the NFL easily. This is a result of consistency in his repetitions, strong hands, body control, and versatility (playing multiple positions on the offensive line). The question about his ability to play as a tackle is a valid one, as he may not be able to handle edge rushers like Hyatt, so a permanent move to interior may best benefit him which bodes well for Washington.

Risner is a lineman who also plays aggressively like Brandon Scherff. Pairing the two together will contribute to the rebuilding of an aging offensive line core. Risner struggles to get out of his stance at the snap of the football and can often find himself too wide with his hand placement in the run game, which is something that can be focused on with proper coaching. Risner can develop into an outstanding starting interior lineman in a concise time under Bill Callahan; however, at his age of 23 years old it will be a risk to draft very high due to concerns he may not have a great ceiling. He is projected to go between rounds two and three.