The Washington Commanders went to work early in free agency, signing guard/center Nick Gates and guard/tackle Andrew Wylie in an effort to improve a struggling offensive line.
Wylie is expected to start at right tackle, while Gates could start at center or guard, depending on what happens with center Chase Roullier’s contract. With Wylie at right tackle, Washington plans on kicking Sam Cosmi inside to right guard.
At left guard, Andrew Norwell returns, where he could compete with Gates and Chris Paul. But what if Washington lands a guard early in next month’s NFL draft?
Charles Davis is currently one of the NFL’s better analysts. Whether it’s calling a game or talking NFL draft, Davis is one of the best. Davis recently completed his first mock draft of the season and chooses to give the Commanders more help on the offensive line — specifically inside.
Davis has the draft’s top guard, Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence, landing in Washington.
He dominated the Sun Belt at Louisiana, and he dominated the SEC at Florida. Now he gets to take on the best DTs in the NFC East. Despite the fact that Washington appears to be set at guard, Torrence is more than worth taking here. He will help out the run game and a young potential starter in Sam Howell. Sometimes you just can’t turn down talent.
We know Washington likes Torrence, having met with him formally at the NFL combine and bringing him in for a top 30 visit. Torrence wouldn’t be a sexy pick for the Commanders, but he would add a young building block to an offensive line in desperate need of a talent upgrade.