The Washington Football Team may not have its starter at left tackle on the current roster, but there’s plenty of money tied up in the guard position after Wednesday’s trade for Ereck Flowers.
Washington, which currently has seven guards on the roster, has over $35 million committed to the position in 2021 alone. Brandon Scherff, who is on his second franchise tag, counts for more than $18 million against the cap in 2021.
Flowers’ cap hit for 2021 is $9 million, according to Spotrac. Last year’s starting left guard, Wes Schweitzer, has a $5 million cap hit for 2021.
Washington’s spending at guard accounts for almost 18% of the salary cap for 2021. In contrast, Washington has just 7% of the salary cap tied up at offensive tackle. Right tackle Morgan Moses is counting $9.65 million against the cap.
These are definitely some high numbers for a position many thinks is less valuable than offensive tackle. While I would say it isn’t very likely, perhaps the team will explore a trade for Scherff.
Trading Scherff doesn’t seem feasible, though. For one, he is one of the best guards in the league. And, it’s also hard to imagine a team giving up valuable assets for a player on a second franchise tag who it would then have to sign to a long-term contract.
The Flowers’ trade is more about 2022 and beyond when Scherff likely signs elsewhere.
For the Football Team, this trade made sense as it gives them more depth along the offensive line, and they had the cap room to make a move.
This doesn’t change Washington’s needs for the 2021 NFL draft when it is expected to pursue an offensive tackle in the early rounds.