Commanders Offseason Preview: Offensive Line
The Washington Commanders have been busy this offseason, but the entire NFL world didn't join them in that phase of the calendar until last week.
Now, with the NFL Scouting Combine nearly upon us, the Commanders and all of the other franchises are going to converge on Indianapolis, Indiana in what has traditionally been known as the time things really start heating up for teams looking to make moves.
Washington could be one of those teams, and as we get prepared for the frenzy to come, we take a look at the current offensive line situation the franchise is facing.
2024 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Tackles: Charles Leno Jr. - Andrew Wylie - Trent Scott - Braeden Daniels
Guards: Sam Cosmi - Chris Paul - Julian Good-Jones
Centers: Nick Gates - Ricky Stromberg
With just nine offensive linemen currently under contract for 2024 the Commanders have no choice but to make some additions.
The hope is they'll do so at the top of the group, and not the bottom, as upgrades are needed at every position but the one held by Cosmi if possible.
It's not typical for NFL teams to replace all five starting offensive linemen - or even four - but an effort to improve the unit is expected.
The Washington Commanders offense lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles defense during the first quarter at FedExField.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
2024 FREE AGENTS
Tackles: Alex Akingbulu - Cornelius Lucas
Guards: Saahdiq Charles - Mason Brooks
Centers: Tyler Larsen - Nolan Laufenberg
Akingbulu is an exclusive rights free agent so if Washington wants him back it has the power to get it done.
The others all have options to varying degrees, one of which was exercised by Brooks who declined to sign a futures contract offer with the team.
ESPN's John Keim says Brooks is weighing his options, with one of them being a return to the Commanders where he grew a cult following among those who got to see him practice during training camp and play in the preseason last year.
2024 CAP DEDICATION
Currently, Washington is ranked 22nd in the NFL in offensive line spending for 2024 with $37.8 million dedicated to the group at this point.
And while many have criticized the franchise's dedication to funding the unit in 2023 the highest and lowest offensive payrolls each won their divisions.
That's not to say the Commanders don't need to invest in the group, only that dollar signs don't equal quality play, necessarily.
Although, it's also important to note that the 32nd-ranked team in offensive line spending last year - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - also won arguably the league's worst division in football.
The Detroit Lions were the highest-spending team last season when it came to paying the offensive line.
