The Washington Football Team reportedly hosted free agent Charles Leno Jr. on Monday. Washington’s interest in the former Chicago Bears left tackle is peculiar, considering the team drafted Samuel Cosmi out of Texas in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
Washington also has two in-house options, Gerron Christian and Cornlius Lucas who both started games last season at left tackle. It’s Lucas is seems not to happy about Washington’s interest in Leno or being left off Ian Rapoport’s tweet.
Monday, Lucas publicly expressed his thoughts on the perceived “big hole” the team has at left tackle.
Lucas has a point. In 2020, he started eight games at left tackle following Christian’s season-ending knee injury. He seemingly played well protecting the blindside of Washington’s quarterback carousel.
In 536 offensive snaps, Lucas allowed two sacks and committed one penalty, according to Pro Football Focus.
Washington became Lucas’s fifth team in his seven-year career when he signed with the Burgundy and Gold last year. He came in looking for an opportunity to start with a fall back plan of being a swing tackle. He got his opportunity when Christian went down. In most instances he outplayed Christian.
Still, his eight starts were tied for the most he has had in a season. Lucas started eight games with the Chicago Bears in 2019. Before then he never started more than three games in a season.
While Lucas flashed in his short time as a starter, Washington appears to be looking for a more long-term upgrade. Leno, who ironically is a former teammate of Lucas, has more experience with 94 career starts. Cosmi projects to have a higher ceiling long-term.
It remains to be seen if Washington’s interest will lead to Leno signing with the team. Washington head coach Ron Rivera has already stated Cosmi compete to be the starter as a rookie. So if Lucas wants to remain the starter at left tackle, he will have to prove himself in the upcoming training camp.
