The Washington Redskins entered this week’s NFL Draft looking to trade Trent Williams. Even the disgruntled left tackle posted a cryptic Instagram story. However, after Thursday’s first round, Washington was left with pessimism and lost leverage.
Six offensive tackles were selected in the opening round. Teams reportedly interested in the Williams, such as the Cleveland Browns , New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each took a tackle in the first round.
It appears teams don’t want the seven-time Pro Bowl tackle — at least at Washington’s asking price. Reports suggest, the Redskins are still seeking a second-round pick but that may be overvaluing the situation at hand.
Remember Williams is 31 years of age, missed an entire 2019 season, has a history of injuries, coming off a serious health ailment and seeking a new top dollar deal. Opting to draft a tackle is cheaper and a greater investment for teams.
It’s a new wave brewing in the league, picking younger and cheaper players with higher ceilings over an aging and/or disgruntled veteran with baggage and mileage.
Of the six offensive tackles taken Thursday there remains a potential for four-six more on Day 2 of the draft.
The Minnesota Vikings have surfaced as a team with interest in Williams. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Minnesota offered a Day 3 draft pick last week, but was turned down by the Redskins. However, potential suitors are dwindling.
Following the first round, Redskins vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith admitted the team doesn’t know when Williams may be traded.
āIt could happen in five minutes, it could happen tomorrow, it might not happen in the next few days,ā Smith said, per Les Carpenter of the Washington Post. āItās just something weāre tying to work through and continue with our making calls and fielding calls and weāll go from there.ā
The Redskins would still consider a Day 1-2 draft pick in 2021 rather than settling for lesser value. However, it’s becoming increasingly concerning there may not be a team willing to pony up such real estate.
Washington and Williams both need this resolved. A return to the Redskins would be considered a worst-case scenario for both sides and could lead to another drawn out drama much like last year’s, even with the new CBA. Both sides risk a hefty price continuing the saga beyond now.
Williams is slated to enter the final year of a five-year deal he signed in 2015. He doesn’t want to play on a non-guaranteed year, but push comes to shove, he may be forced to prove himself on the field and await a bigger payday in 2021. And if Williams is willing to join a new team without a new deal, teams won’t be so willing to trade the asking price for a rental.
Meanwhile, thanks to a provision in the CBA, referred to as the Alan Faneca rule, the Redskins would net just a fifth-round compensatory pick, if Williams played out the season in Washington and walked in free agency next year.
The Redskins enter Friday night without a second round pick. The biggest storyline will be if Washington’s stubbornness pays off, fails or they are forced to budge and settle to move Williams.
