Commanders Free Agent Fits: Left Tackle

Taking a look at a couple of left tackles that the Washington Commanders could potentially target in free agency

As we approach free agency, I’m breaking down some options that the Commanders could consider at certain positions of need. Last week I looked at cornerbacks, but today I’m switching to the offense to look at left tackles. The Commanders got plenty out of rookie lineman Brandon Coleman last season and I think he can develop into a good starting lineman, but I’m not convinced his future is at left tackle. He was generally strong in the run game but his pass protection needs work. The Commanders had to use a lot of chips and line slides to help him out last year and that somewhat limited what they could do in the passing game as a result.

So signing a free agent left tackle or finding one in the draft would be a good idea because that would upgrade the left tackle position, but also enable Coleman to shift to right tackle or slide inside to left guard, potentially upgrading two spots in one move. With the 29th pick, the Commanders aren’t likely to be able to land a top left tackle prospect without trading up, so the free agent route might be the best option. Here’s a look at a few options the Commanders might consider.

High Profile: Ronnie Stanley, 30

One of the most appealing aspects of Stanley’s game is his pass protection and specifically, his athleticism in pass protection. Stanley is capable of matching some of the most explosive rushers in the game off the edge and taking away that speed rush option, forcing them to find another way to win.

Here is a good example of Stanley’s athleticism in pass protection. On this play we see him face off against Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat, who is explosive off the edge with great burst and speed. Sweat takes a wide alignment, looking to give himself a better angle of attack to the quarterback. He comes off the snap looking to win with speed to the edge but Stanley matches him well. Stanley gets out of his stance quickly, getting to his second kick step before Sweat gets to his second step. Because of that foot quickness, Stanley is able to get out to Sweat and cut off that threat of a speed rush before it even emerges.

With the speed rush cut off, Sweat is forced to pivot to a secondary rush move. He attempts to cross chop Stanley’s outside arm and continue to attack the edge, but Stanley is able to land a punch with his inside arm to keep engaged and quickly replaces his outside arm on Sweat’s chest after the chop move. That enables Stanley to maintain leverage and keep in front of Sweat, running him beyond the depth of the quarterback, who ends up stepping up in the pocket and taking off scrambling.

But it’s not just speed rushes off the edge that Stanley’s athleticism helps handle.

On this play, Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett rushes up the field before using a spin move to try and get back inside. Spin moves can be really tough for tackles to block because they have to stop their momentum and restarted their feet going back inside to cut it off all in one smooth, fluid motion. It can expose any athletic weaknesses the tackle might have, but on this play we see Stanley handle it well. Stanley gets out of his stance quickly off the snap and gets plenty of depth to try and handle any threat of a speed rush from Garrett. He lands a solid punch on him too, which tells Garrett he’s not getting past him on the edge.

Garrett then transitions into his spin move, spinning back inside and using his arm as a club to try and knock Stanley away. Stanley does a terrific job matching the spin move. He is able to slow his feet, open his hips back inside and take a big step with his inside leg to close off the lane that Garrett attempts to attack. Now Garrett is relentless and is able to generate some pressure by working back outside after the spin, but there’s only so long you can expect a left tackle to be able to block Garrett on their own. Stanley did a great job cutting off the speed to the edge and then redirecting back inside to cut off the spin move too. By that point the ball should have been out.

While Stanley is known for his quick feet and finesse blocking at left tackle, he can also pack a punch. Stanley has a good understanding of when to throw his punches and knows that a well timed punch can be incredibly disruptive to a pass rusher.