Redskins Draft Needs: Right Tackle

Current RT on the roster: Tyler Polumbo, Tom Compton, Maurice Hurt

Projected Contributors 2013: Tyler Polumbo, Tom Compton


There is nothing sexy about offensive lineman. Nothing. Watching them run the 40 yard dash makes me shiver. But they help you seal games late and win, especially in the playoffs when inclement weather conditions prevent pass-heavy teams from advancing. The Redskin's have a need at right tackle (RT) because Polumbo is an unrestricted free agent and oft-injured Jamaal Brown's contract was voided in mid-Feb 2013. Brown was supposedly our long-term solution at the position when we swapped our 3rd round pick for New Orleans 5th round pick in 2011.

Polumbo is 6'8 305 which is positive because he can reach out and move defenders faster in our zone-blocking scheme. The flip side of the coin is that on passing downs nimble-footed defensive ends can get past him due to his difficulty staying low.

Tom Compton was a 7th round pick in 2012 from South Dakota who did not play a snap. He spent the majority of last year as a practice squad player and he could have signed a more lucrative contract with another team but decided to take less money and fight for a spot on the 53-man roster (which was rewarded in Dec 2012). According to Mike Shanahan, the versatile 6'5" 308 lb player can play as a LT or RT and we [the Redskins] felt like he has earned the right to be on our football team and a part of our group. I think he has a big-time future with us."

Maurice Hurt is a guard who filled in as an emergency right tackle due to lack of depth. The smart move would be to resign Polumbo to a deal and utilize him as an experienced backup and then draft a talented rookie to eventually replace him.

In the Redskin's zone blocking scheme, agility is more important than size and power. In the 2012 draft, the top 5 Tackle selections were taken before the midway point in the 2nd round (50th pick). Unless one of the top prospects gets caught smoking dope with a prostitute the night before the draft and drops into our laps, we will have to look for a developmental prospect. Let's take a gander at one prospect that fits the Redskin's criteria for a right tackle and will most likely be available with a 3rd-6th round selection.

Player Highlight: Brennen Williams
School: North Carolina
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 318 lbs
Hand size: 10.5in
Reach: 34"
40 time: 5.15

Williams has the size and skills to immediately contribute as a right tackle. He is not athletic enough to protect a RG3's blindside according to most NFL scouts that is not to say he isn't mobile. He does "come off the ball hard and stays with run blocks throughout the play, moving his feet and extending, sometimes taking his man to the ground." He also is fast enough to attack linebackers and safeties on the second level which is important in a zone blocking scheme. The bad? His pass protection needs to improve and a serious shoulder injury kept him from competing in the combine. His father was an NFL defensive lineman for the Patriots so he is accustomed to the NFL lifestyle. Williams is projected as a late second round or early third round pick.