Tag: Brandon Coleman

Free agent offensive tackle David Bakhtiari eager to remind teams how much he has left in the tank

David Bakhtiari claims he’s healthy. Should the Commanders be interested?

In case you haven’t heard, the Washington Commanders could use some help at left tackle. The Commanders released former left tackle Charles Leno Jr. ahead of free agency, but Leno was unlikely to be in the team’s plans in 2024.

Many assumed Washington would be aggressive in landing a left tackle in the 2024 NFL draft. After the Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall, Washington was aggressive in attempting to move back into the first round but was unable to strike a deal.

Instead, the Commanders used the second pick in the third round — No. 67 overall — on TCU offensive tackle Brandon Coleman. While some believe Coleman will be better at guard, the Commanders believe he’s an NFL tackle with an untapped upside.

Even with Coleman, who is no sure thing to start early, the Commanders could use more help. As of now, veteran Cornelius Lucas will start Week 1 at left tackle. While Lucas has proven to be a capable short-term option for years, the Commanders would probably be more comfortable with him in his normal swing tackle role.

However, Washington’s options are limited. One potential option, though, is quite intriguing. Former Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has dealt with injuries since 2020, is healthy and ready to return to finish his career on a strong note.

Before he was hit with multiple knee injuries, Bakhtiari was a five-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.

“A lot of other people wanted me to just kind of grit through it, but no one experiences what you truly experience,” Bakhtiari told Adam Schefter on his podcast via ESPN. “Look, I’ve been gritting through it for three years. I’m in constant pain. I’m so happy now to be on the other side of it and get the actual surgery that I needed because my knee was not in a good place.”

Bakhtiari isn’t looking to sign with someone in December and help for a playoff push. He wants to play all season and possibly more.

“My goal right now is just to make sure that I not only fully recover but I can withstand and play the game that I want to play but also play and be there for a team no matter what,” Bakhtiari said. “I’m not a reliever guy; I am your cornerstone guy. Someone that’s not only going to play in September but in December and into February and obviously hopefully for another couple of years.”

How does that sound for Washington? We’ve written about the possibility of Washington signing Bakhtiari before but admitted it was unlikely due to his age and health. Now, Bakhtiari doesn’t believe his health will be an issue.

Does this change things for the Commanders?

Bakhtiari said he wants to win a Super Bowl in his short playing window, but that’s unlikely to happen in Washington right now. Still, if the Commanders come calling, Bakhtiari is unlikely to turn down the opportunity if other teams aren’t interested.

 

How can the Commanders solve their biggest remaining hole ahead of training cap?

What should the Commanders do at left tackle?

It was a foregone conclusion entering the offseason that the Washington Commanders would make a move at offensive tackle. The Commanders were busy during the early stages of free agency, signing over a dozen players within the first week.

However, none of those players were an offensive tackle. That’s not to say Washington didn’t address the offensive line. The Commanders signed center Tyler Biadasz and guard Nick Allegretti, both of whom will likely start. Washington did re-sign veteran tackle Cornelius Lucas, bringing him back for his fifth season with the franchise.

The Commanders still had the 2024 NFL draft, and many believed they would move back into the first round for one of the offensive tackles in what was a deep class. The first round came and went, and Washington did not move back into the first, although there were attempts to do so.

The Commanders did use a high third-round pick on TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman. Washington said Coleman would be a tackle, and while others view him as a guard, his film and athletic profile is promising.

We’ve discussed multiple veteran options for the Commanders. While none would be long-term solutions, there just aren’t many players who could come in and start Week 1 at left tackle.

Bleacher Report recently looked at seven teams that didn’t address their major holes in the 2024 NFL draft and suggested what these teams could do to improve.

Washington’s tackle problem was listed.

Here’s what B/R said about the Commanders’ tackle need:

New center Tyler Biadasz and third-year guard Sam Cosmi are the only offensive linemen on the squad proven to be at least average starters. The rest—left tackle Cornelius Lucas, left guard Nick Allegretti and right tackle Andrew Wylie—are all replacement level or worse.

The blindside commands priority. It always has and it always will. With a rookie quarterback in the building, especially one with some of the pocket-management concerns Jayden Daniels brings, the priority on sorting out the position is raised even higher.

As we sit here in June, the Commanders’ options at left tackle are Lucas, Cosmi and third-round rookie Brandon Coleman.

Lucas is hardly a serious consideration. He’s been a fine spot starter for the Commanders for half a decade now, but if he was good enough to be locked into a starting job, he would be by now.

Cosmi is an intriguing option but not a surefire answer. He played both left and right tackle in college, as well as right tackle for most of his time with the Commanders. However, he has yet to play left tackle in the NFL, in part because he lacks the range and length you see from the best blindside protectors. It’s why he’s kicked inside to guard.

Even if Cosmi does OK at left tackle, that just makes the guard spot worse in turn. Being better at left tackle is probably more valuable, but the Commanders would just be moving one quality lineman to a different position rather than adding another good player to the line. That doesn’t solve much.

Then there’s the rookie Coleman. Right off the bat, it’s hard to trust any third-round tackle to be an immediate positive presence on the left side. He is also coming from an Air Raid-style offense that doesn’t really pass protect with the same rules or spacing as the NFL. That’s going to create a steep learning curve. Chances are Coleman won’t be ready for the spotlight Week 1.

The Commanders should be in the market for the handful of remaining left tackles out there.

D.J. Humphries, Donovan Smith, and David Bakhtiari were all named as potential signings for Washington. We’ve discussed each. Humphries tore his ACL at the end of the season and will not be ready for the early part of the season. He may not be able to play at all. Bakhtiari has been injured for much of the past three seasons. Smith would be a potential option for one season.

As far as the potential of Cosmi moving back to tackle, that would be a horrible move for him and the team. He has All-Pro potential at guard and is heading into a contract year. Peters and Quinn see Cosmi’s future at guard, too.

Coleman and Lucas both worked at left tackle during OTAs and minicamp. Washington’s ultimate outcome would be Coleman winning the job.

Commanders sign rookie offensive tackle Brandon Coleman

All of Washington’s rookie class is now signed and ready for training camp next month.

The Washington Commanders have now locked up their entire 2024 NFL draft class. On Friday, Washington signed the No. 2 overall pick, quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 53 overall pick, tight end Ben Sinnott, and the No. 67 overall pick Brandon Coleman.

With that, all of the Commanders’ rookies are signed and ready for training camp, which begins later next month.

Coleman, the third pick in the third round, was Washington’s last rookie to sign. The Commanders entered the week with five members of their rookie class unsigned. Second-round picks Johnny Newton (36th overall) and cornerback Mike Sainristil (50th overall) signed earlier this week.

Some teams scouted Coleman as a guard, but the Commanders believed he could be a starting offensive tackle. He played both positions in college, and during this week’s minicamp, Coleman and veteran Cornelius Lucas rotated with the first team at left tackle.

Commanders rookie OT Brandon Coleman working with the first-team offense

The rookie getting in some work with the first team at left tackle.

On the second day of the Washington Commanders’ minicamp, rookie Brandon Coleman worked with the first-team offense at left tackle.

What does this mean? Well, nothing for now.

When Washington opened minicamp on Tuesday, veteran Cornelius Lucas worked with the first team. Lucas is the presumed starter, but that’s not a given. Head coach Dan Quinn has stressed competition multiple times since taking over. That goes for the left tackle position, too.

Here’s what Zach Selby of commanders.com observed on Wednesday regarding Coleman:

We have more movement on the offensive line. On Tuesday, it was Cornelius Lucas who spent most of his time as the starting left tackle. On Wednesday, it was third-round pick Brandon Coleman’s turn at the position. It’s worth noting that the Commanders have tried multiple players at that spot, so Coleman getting the reps does not mean he is guaranteed to win the job outright. Still, it was a good opportunity for the rookie to see how he stacked up against starting NFL defensive linemen.

Selby is correct; this is an excellent opportunity for Coleman. While the Commanders don’t have an elite edge rusher to practice against, they have multiple veterans who know how to win one-on-one. That’s precisely what Coleman needs to practice against to improve.

The Commanders were criticized for not doing more at offensive tackle. General manager Adam Peters improved the interior of the offensive line by signing center Tyler Biadasz and left guard Nick Allegretti. However, Peters chose to roll with Andrew Wylie at right tackle again and re-sign Lucas to compete with a rookie at left tackle. Lucas is an excellent backup tackle. He has proven that his effectiveness lessens the longer he plays.

If Coleman wins the job and becomes Washington’s long-term starter at left tackle, that would be a massive feather in Peters’ cap.

Commanders NFL Draft grades: Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU

Commanders NFL Draft grade for selecting Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU in the third round

The Washington Commanders trotted out one of the worst offensive lines in the entire league every week last season. With the addition of new quarterback Jayden Daniels being drafted in the first round, the team made it a priority to improve the protection around their newfound signal caller. They took a step towards that improvement here with the selection of TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman.

Coleman does not quite project as an immediate starter and will instead be locked into camp battles for either the backup tackle spot or potentially even as a starting guard. With plenty of experience at either spot, Coleman should see the field eventually on this uneven offensive line.

Versatile, fundamentally sound, and possessing good athleticism and quickness, Coleman possesses plenty of traits of an ideal depth piece along the offensive line. Though Coleman has physical limitations that may keep him from being a long-term starter, it’s hard to find such pieces in the third round.

Grade: B-

Chris Cooley: Commanders rookie OL Brandon Coleman ‘a project’

What does the former Washington star think about the potential new left tackle?

“I don’t know what I see.”

That was how Chris Cooley began his discussion with Kevin Sheehan, Thursday, during his film review of Commanders’ rookie offensive tackle, Brandon Coleman.

Here are some selected quotes from Cooley’s film review:

“He looks very athletic on the field.”

“34-inch vertical leap at the Combine. That is pretty amazing for a dude that weighs 350 pounds.”

“I see him as a really adequate pass protector…Good hands, good punch. He is hard to get around. He gets his arms extended. He has good feet, does a good job keeping his feet square at the line of scrimmage.”

“He has great range as a puller. He is explosive; he can run.”

“He played a lot of guard at the Senior Bowl. So many have projected him as a guard…Good thing is he can do both in a pinch (guard and tackle).”

“I think he plays high, really upright, tall. He has a tendency to bend at the waist. I think this is where he gets in the most trouble. It hurts him with his change of direction.”

“He is a position blocker in the run game. He is not a physical run-game blocker. He is not Trent Williams. He is going to try to get in, get his hands on you, and get his ___ where he doesn’t want the defender to go. He is going to try to quick and turn. I hate that.”

“He stops his feet on contact; he is not a physical power-driving guy…and he gets beat a lot in the run game.”

“I’d like to see him do a better job of finishing blocks…I’m concerned about his ability to sustain blocks, especially in space.”

“So, Coleman is a project.”

“He’s an athlete. He has a ton of innate athletic ability. He is a very good understanding of how to pass protect. But in terms of being an every down, get-it-done type of guy, there are going to be a lot of positions they put him in, and he is going to struggle.”

“You can’t put him at left tackle and run behind him. That is not a thing that is going to happen…I think he has some situations he has to improve in quite a bit.”

Could former All-Pro David Bakhtiari be an option for the Commanders?

Bakhtiari recently received a positive health update.

We are a little over two months away from veteran Cornelius Lucas opening Washington Commanders’ training camp as the left tackle. Considering Washington’s investment in quarterback Jayden Daniels, that may not be the best decision.

Lucas has been with Washington since 2020 and started a bunch of games. He’s been good. However, the longer he plays, the more his flaws are exposed. Lucas has been a valuable player for the Commanders and that’s why the regime brought him back at almost 33 years old.

Washington drafted TCU’s Brandon Coleman early in the third round of last month’s NFL draft. While some believe Coleman may be better at guard, the Commanders loved his tape, and he has excellent measurables, which they feel translates to left tackle.

But you can’t count on a third-round rookie in Week 1.

Washington largely ignored the position in free agency, outside of bringing back Lucas. The Commanders released last year’s starter, Charles Leno Jr., who had offseason surgery. While there are no surefire options available right now, there is one particularly intriguing player available.

Former Green Bay offensive tackle David Bakhtiari played only one game last season and has played in just 13 games over the past three seasons as he has undergone two knee surgeries.

Bakhtiari recently received some positive injury news, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Bakhtiari will be 33 in September, and Washington has plenty of cap space remaining to take a chance on Bakhtiari for the upcoming season.

Bakhtiari will not be costly, as no team will break the bank on him. This means he could be a smart buy-low candidate if team doctors clear him for 2024. A two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time second-team All-Pro, Bakhtiari could at least be brought in for a workout.

 

Commanders need Brandon Coleman to develop at offensive tackle

Watch highlights of new Commanders OT Brandon Coleman

The Commanders entered April’s 2024 NFL draft fully aware they needed to obtain an offensive tackle.

In fairness to Commanders general manager Adam Peters, the Commanders were reported to have attempted to trade back up into the latter first round to select an offensive tackle. However, no trade compensation could be agreed upon, and thus, a deal was never finalized.

Peters, in the draft, took quarterback Jayden Daniels (2 overall), defensive tackle Johnny Newton (36), defensive back Mike Sainristil (50), and tight end Ben Sinnott (53), and when it was their turn at 67, Peters selected TCU guard / tackle Brandon Coleman.

Interestingly, at the Senior Bowl, Coleman was asked if there was a position he would prefer for the NFL. He replied that he would be willing to do whatever his new NFL team wanted to do. Yet, he did point out that he had a lot of experience at left tackle.

Right tackle Andrew Wiley returns and left tackle Charles Leno was released. Thus, left tackle would seem to be a place the Commanders might be hoping Coleman can develop enough in the offseason to be prepared to play often this season.

Of course, Jayden Daniels needs to be a hit. But for 2024, the second choice that might be most important to play well might just be Coleman at tackle. Just as true, Coleman’s level of play will also affect Daniels’ performance as well. Think how much better it will be for Daniels if Coleman can improve the running game and keep Daniels’ blind side clear for him.

Thus far in early offseason Commanders’ workouts, Coleman has been working some at left tackle and also some at right tackle.

Pro Football Focus posted these stats on Coleman’s time at TCU.

 

PFF says Andrew Wylie is Commanders’ most underrated player

PFF says Andrew Wylie is underrated.

Who is the Washington Commanders’ most underrated player? If you ask 20 people, you’d likely get 15 different answers, but one answer you wouldn’t get is right tackle Andrew Wylie.

Pro Football Focus thinks otherwise.

PFF recently named one underrated player on all 32 NFL teams, and Wylie was Washington’s pick. Here’s what PFF said about Wylie:

Wylie came over from Kansas City with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to play right tackle for the Commanders. Although he gave up a sack in each of his first four games with Washington, Wylie got better as the season went on and eventually earned a 69.2 PFF overall grade — a career-high mark for him on his way to ranking 16th among right tackles.

PFF’s grading system is often controversial. The grades are helpful but don’t always tell the complete story. If you watched all 17 Washington games last season, you’d know Wylie wasn’t very good. Was he as bad as some fans thought? Maybe not, but it was difficult to call the right tackle position a strength.

General manager Adam Peters didn’t replace Wylie this offseason, and he had plenty of cap room to do so. Finding an answer at left tackle was a more significant issue, and the Commanders only addressed that by re-signing veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas and selecting Brandon Coleman in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Will Wylie be better in 2024? Peters and the new coaching staff believe so.

 

NFL analyst: Commanders OL will be outmatched in NFC East

Will the offensive line be Washington be a major problem again in 2024?

What does Jayden Daniels have to do to get better every day?

That was the question set forth to ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky on Monday during the “NFL Live” program. Orlovsky did not answer with an answer focused upon the NFL inexperience of a rookie quarterback, as one might expect.

No, Orlovsky aimed his reply at what he sees is going to make things harder for Daniels in his rookie season. “A feel for dominant defensive lines,” opened Orlovsky.

Orlovsky then elaborated, “If we are being honest, in that division (NFC East), every time he plays the teams that are in that division, his offensive line will be outmatched by the defensive line both times by Philly, the Giants and Dallas. This is an offensive line that struggled (2023).“

“One of the ‘flaws’ of Jayden Daniels throughout his last two years at LSU was, is he holding on (to the ball)? Is he trying to do too much? Is he running around a little bit? Get the ball out of your hands, play a little faster.”

More from Orlovsky:

“He is a significantly greater talent than I ever was, but the biggest jump from college to the NFL comes from how fast that defensive line moves on a consistent basis. Just getting an understanding, a feel for how quickly those defensive lines will collapse that pocket on you.”

Orlovsky certainly revealed he does not believe the Commanders’ offensive line will match up well in any of their six NFC East divisional games. If Orlovsky is correct, should there be great concern for the health and confidence of Daniels playing behind this offensive line?

In fairness to general manager Adam Peters, he has made significant changes to the Commanders offensive line. Gone from the 2023 unit are starters Charles Leno Jr, Saahdiq Charles and Nick Gates.

Peters brought in free agents guard Nick Allegretti (Chiefs) and center Tyler Biadasz (Cowboys), who are expected to start. Then Peters also drafted tackle Brandon Coleman (TCU) in the third round.

Two starters return in right guard Sam Cosmi and right tackle Andrew Wylie. Others on the current roster are tackles Cornelius Lucas, Braeden Daniels, Alex Akingbulu, and Trent Scott, as well as guards Chris Paul, Mason Brooks, Michael Deiter, Julian Good-Jones, and center Ricky Stromberg.