BREAKING: Washington Commanders are reportedly set to land a veteran Offensive Tackle
The Washington Commanders’ most pressing need entering the 2024 season appears to be at offensive tackle. Especially at left tackle, where someone will have to defend quarterback Jayden Daniels’ blind side for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s Matt Miller believes the Commanders will fill that vacuum with one of college football’s best players in his latest 2025 mock draft, which was posted on July 2, with Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. heading to Washington with the fifth overall pick.
“If the draft were tomorrow, we’d be talking about left tackle and edge rusher as massive needs for the Commanders,” Miller said in a note. “That could change between now and April, but general manager Adam Peters could undoubtedly address the weak side of the line; Washington must protect quarterback Jayden Daniels after surrendering 65 sacks last season (tied for second highest). Banks is a traditional left tackle with a big 324-pound build, and the junior has only allowed two sacks in his two full seasons starting for the Longhorns.
Keeping Daniels upright and healthy between now and then may be more challenging, so it’s a good thing the 2024 NFL draft No. 2 overall pick is so mobile.
Banks Has Potential to Become Elite NFL OT
Banks had been predicted as a first-round pick in the NFL draft since his senior year at Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas, and was voted Class 6A-District 21 Offensive MVP in 2021, an almost unthinkable honor for an offensive lineman.
“Provides excellent roster value in versatility to play either tackle spot and both guard spots if needed,” 247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks stated in his assessment of Banks in November 2021. “Combines high-floor ability with developmental potential. As a multi-year starter, he has the potential to become a pillar of his team’s offensive line. “Has the potential to be a high-round NFL Draft prospect in the long run.”
Banks, 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, won the starting spot at left tackle during training camp as a true freshman. He has started 27 consecutive games over the last two seasons and is a two-time All-Big 12 selection. Banks was also one of the best players on the 2023 team that lifted the Longhorns into the College Football Playoff for the first time.
How Bad are the Commanders at Offensive Tackle?
In 2024, Washington has three options at left tackle: experienced journeyman Cornelius Lucas, youngster Brandon Coleman, and Trent Scott.
Lucas joined the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent from Kansas State in 2014, and he has made 37 of his 49 career starts with the Commanders since 2020, including a career-high 12 starts in 2022.
Scott joined the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Grambling State in 2018 and has played 22 games for four different teams over six seasons, including two starts for the Commanders in 2023.
Coleman, 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, was a third-round pick (No. 67 overall) by the Commanders in 2024 and a two-time All-Big 12 selection at TCU.
“Last season, under a different coaching staff and front office, Washington first-year starting quarterback Sam Howell was sacked 65 times, smashing the previous franchise record of 49,” wrote ESPN’s John Keim on June 9. “After altering starters at four line positions in 2023, the Commanders have made additional adjustments to their line in 2024. They’ll have three new starters: at center, left guard, and left tackle. However, while the center (Tyler Biadasz) and guard (Nick Allegretti) are known, the race for left tackle will continue throughout training camp.
