Washington Position Group Breakdown 2024: Interior Offensive Line

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May 15, 2024

by David Earl

Not a Complete Train Wreck

Unlike the tackle position, the interior part of the line has quality starters in right guard Samuel Cosmi and C Tyler Biadasz with Biadasz having the most experience in this group. Since the loss of Chase Roullier, Washington has struggled to find a reliable center to make the first-line call once they read the initial defensive front formation. The left guard position will be the most questionable position, as an inexperienced Nick Allegretti will most likely be entrenched as a starter. With Saahdiq Charles now in Tennessee, the emergence of Chris Paul and/or Mason Brooks becomes far more vital for depth. Therein lies the problem: Washington’s depth is mostly inexperienced and developmental projects which leaves the left side of the offensive line highly questionable. The team made some additions, but will it be enough to overcome the following performance from last season?

  • Ranked 26th in rushing yards per game (93.6), but did rank 7th in yards per attempt (4.4). Terrible playcalling played away from this unit’s only strength.
  • Ranked 31st in sacks allowed per game (3.8).
  • Ranked 28th in total sack percentage (9.27%).
  • Ranked 26th in passer rating (81.6). While this is mainly a quarterback stat, the pressure rate allowed by this offensive line certainly contributed to a poor rating.

While Cosmi and Biadasz provide good foundational pieces, the remaining 3/5ths of the line is highly questionable. The biggest concern will be on the left side with left tackle Cornelius Lucas (read in LT position group) and left guard Nick Allegretti protecting the blindside of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. So, with all that said, here is how the interior of the offensive line breaks down.

Projected Starters

LG Nick Allegretti: Age 28, 320lbs, 6’4″

  • Experience: 5-years primarily as a left guard with 13 total career starts.
  • Run Down: Filled in for All-Pro Joe Thuney at guard last year for Kansas City. Allegretti’s presence did not create an issue offensively for the Chiefs. He has primarily been a spot starter, and was flagged for 5 penalties in 13 starts during his time in Kansas City. The former 7th round pick came into the draft struggling against counter and defender’s quick first step. While he may struggle in pass protection against a more athletic rusher, he comes with a good base and hand technique proving to be stronger in the run game.

C Tyler Biadasz: Age 26, 318lbs, 6’4″

  • Experience: 4 year career at center with 53 total career starts.
  • Run Down: Playing in over 90% of the Dallas Cowboys offensive snaps the last 3 seasons and registering 1,000naps each of those seasons, Biadasz brings experience and health to the second most important position along the offensive line. He anchored a Cowboys unit that was one of the better pass-protecting units in football, allowing 40 sacks last season. He will provide a signal caller Washington has missed since Chase Roullier.

RG Samuel Cosmi: Age 25, 309lbs, 6’6″

  • Experience: 3-year career with time split between guard and tackle. In 32 total career starts, 15 starts were at right tackle and 17 (last season) as a right guard.
  • Run Down: Cosmi’s struggles at right tackle, especially against the top athletic edge rushers, proved his scouting report true as he was average off the ball getting into his blocks. This weakness was effectively masked since his move in at right guard. As Mark Bullock breaks down, he recognizes stunts very well and continues to keep his head on a swivel. Cosmi improved and committed 6 penalties in his first 15 starts while only committing 3 in the last 17 starts. Considering Cosmi’s overall development, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see him move back out to right tackle and bring Andrew Wylie inside to guard.

Projected Depth

C Rickey Stromberg: Age 23, 313lbs, 6’4″

  • Experience: A year-one rookie drafted in the third round with 0 games started.
  • Scouting Report: Solid athleticism but can struggle to keep his feet moving and set throughout his blocks. Excellent at presnap recognition making the right calls at the line with very good success. He has good lateral movement with good awareness against stunts and counters but his overall body control needs more improvement.

G Chris Paul: Age 25, 324lbs, 6’4″

  • Experience: 2-year career as a guard with 11 total career starts with 10 of those during last season.
  • Run Down: A 7th round developmental tackle moved inside to left guard, Paul has been solid in his appearances committing 2 penalties in 11 career starts. Much like his scouting report mentions, Paul still needs work on sustaining his blocks and his footwork can still be erratic. Probably still a year away from becoming a potential starter but still best suited as a reliable spot starter at times.

G Mason Brooks: Age 24, 315lbs, 6’6″

  • Experience: Signed as an undrafted free agent last year. Did not appear in a game in 2023 for Washington.
  • Scouting Report: Excellent in establishing a strong base post snap allowing him to stand strong against the bull rush. Strong hand technique to get rushers upright and reacts very well to misdirection in pass protection. After his initial anchoring post-snap, will struggle to maintain his blocks at times and allows pass rushers into his body too often. Will lose feet and hand coordination at times when engaged leading to becoming off-balanced.

G Michael Deiter: Age 27, 315lbs, 6’6″

  • Experience: 5 year career with a near-even split in games started between guard and center. He started 15 games at left guard and 18 as a center.
  • Run Down: A veteran lineman who adds versatility to the interior of the offensive line. A physical presence who is not very often overpowered. Does well not allowing the rusher to reset and has good lateral movement. Ideal to step in for Biadasz at the center position if needed.

G Julian Good-Jones: Age 27, 313lbs, 6’5

  • Experience: Originally signed to a futures contract by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 offseason then later by Washington in November of 2023.
  • Scouting Report: Solid lateral mobility and can engage his blocks strongly when set in proper technique. Does transitions well from one block to another but tends to lose balance as he overcommits too much. Hand technique is inconsistent which tends to allow rushers into his body.

G Nolan Laufenberg: Age 25, 312lbs, 6’3″

  • Experience: Signed as an undrafted free agent by Denver in 2021 and picked up by Washington in September 2022. He has zero career starts in the NFL.
  • Scouting Report: Will anchor well into his blocks maintaining a good low center of gravity. Just lacks any significant explosion off the ball and the lateral movement to compete against athletic rushers. Is athletic enough to move into the second level of the defense and is a much better blocker out in space.