Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan had said all along that they were going to draft “the best player available” at No. 5 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Most draft experts predicted that would mean that edge rusher Dante Fowler or defensive lineman Leonard Williams finding themselves in burgundy and gold. After the Jacksonville Jaguars took Fowler at No. 3, everyone expected that meant Williams would be a Redskin. McCloughan insists that the Redskins stuck to their guns and took the best player available; it’s just that it might not have been the player we expected. They took Brandon Scherff.
The No. 5 overall pick is a bit high for any offensive lineman who isn’t going to play left tackle. Of the many needs the Redskins have, left tackle is not one of them, with Trent Williams on the roster. Many teams thought Scherff projected best as a guard. It may not matter what other teams thought, because the Redskins have handed Scherff the reigns at right tackle. Even if the Iowa product has typical rookie struggles, he will unequivocally be an improvement over Tyler Polumbus and Tom Compton. Both appeared undersized and over-matched by nearly every pass rusher they faced in 2014.
Struggles along the offensive line were a primary factor in the reason the Redskins led the NFC in sacks allowed last year. The line can’t be held fully responsible because of Robert Griffin III‘s propensity for holding the football too long. With new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, the Redskins have talked about recreating “The Hogs.” While this may, on some level, be pandering to fans who are yearning for the glory days of yesteryear, maybe Scherff and Williams are the next Russ Grimm, Mark May and Joe Jacoby.
Scherff will be adjusting to the speed and strength of NFL pass rushers during his training camp run, all while learning blocking schemes which will be of increased complexity. His adjustment to coaching has already been noted as a strength by head coach Jay Gruden. If he develops and lives up to his billing, he will be critical in the Redskins returning to the dominant presence upfront that was the trademark of the best teams in franchise history.
Jake Miller is a Washington Redskins beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JakeMillerNFL.
