Commanders Position Battles: Who Starts at OT?
The competition between Washington Commanders quarterbacks Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett has garnered most of the offseason headlines for the franchise on the field.
But who is going to protect the Commanders' starting quarterback?
Bleacher Report broke down key position battles for each team and tabbed offensive tackles as Washington's "most important training camp battle." The Commanders' offensive line allowed 48 sacks in 2022, which was the seventh most in the NFL.
"Finding improved pass protection, especially on the edges, is imperative with a young quarterback like Howell taking the reins," Bleacher Report writes. "Last year's primary starter, Taylor Heinicke, was under pressure on 27.7 percent of his dropbacks."
Charles Leno has started all 17 games in the last two seasons at left tackle for the Washington Commanders. Pro Football Focus credited the 10-year veteran with eight sacks in 2022, which was tied for the fifth most in the NFL.
Andrew Wylie, who the Commanders signed to a three-year deal this offseason, started every game at right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He allowed nine sacks according to PFF, which was tied for the third-most in the NFL.
Other players vying for playing time at the offensive tackle positions include Sam Cosmi and Cornelius Lucas. Cosmi only started six games due to various injuries, while Lucas started the 12 games.
Washington also added its offensive line through the draft by taking Braeden Daniels out of Utah in the fourth round. Daniels started across multiple positions on the offensive line for Utah but spent most of his time at left tackle.
"Daniels makes his money in pass protection," SI Draft Bible writes. "His hands engage early and guide the rusher upfield, around the pocket. He displays some lateral agility to protect his outside shoulder in pass protection but struggles to reach his landmarks before explosive defenders."
Regardless of if it's Howell or Brissett starting at quarterback for Washington, they won't play to the best of their abilities if they can't stay upright. Whoever starts at left or right tackle has to improve an offensive line that was one of the worst in pass protection in 2022.
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