The Washington Commanders’ shaky offensive line has become impossible to ignore, and ESPN has already connected them to a possible fix: New Orleans Saints guard Cesar Ruiz.
That kind of speculation makes sense given where Washington stands. The Commanders lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil before the season, and the line has matched the low expectations that came with that blow. Through six games, PFF has Washington’s offensive line ranked 20th in the NFL.
A trade for help up front would fit the situation. ESPN pointed to Ruiz as a possible target, while noting that New Orleans is in rebuild mode with a 2-5 record and likely out of the division race. Washington, meanwhile, sits at 1-4-1 but still has a path in the division and needs better protection if it wants to keep quarterback Jayden Daniels upright.
ESPN described Ruiz this way: “Ruiz is a capable player in pass protection, using his foot quickness and technique to slow interior rushers. He has posted a pass block win rate of 90% or better in five of seven pro seasons.
However, Ruiz isn't a natural displacer at the point of attack in the run game, which impacts his ability to create consistent movement. His career run block win rate sits at 66.8%.”
Washington does have one bright spot on the interior in right guard Sam Cosmi, who has graded as the team’s best offensive lineman, according to PFF. Ruiz also brings some position flexibility, with the ability to play center and right tackle. That makes the center angle especially interesting, considering the Commanders handled that spot poorly after releasing starter Tyler Biadasz in February.
From New Orleans’ side, the timing could work too. Ruiz is carrying a cap hit of more than $16 million next season, which makes him a logical player for the Saints to move if they want to reset.
The sticking point is what Washington would have to give up. The Commanders don’t appear eager to part with valuable draft capital, so any deal would have to be worth the price.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Face A Big Trade Deadline Decision At Wide Receiver
The wide receiver market is starting to loom over Washington as the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 approaches, and the Commanders are at least being linked to a move that could help deepen their passing game. ESPN has put three names in the conversation: Clevelands Jerry Jeudy, Baltimores Rashod Bateman and Tampa Bays Chris Godwin, giving the front office a short list of options with very different levels of appeal.
Each candidate comes with a different type of fit and a different level of realism, which is what makes this such a tricky decision for Washington. Bateman appears to be the cleanest match for what the Commanders might want, while Godwin is the most complicated swing of the group because of his injury history and age, leaving the team to weigh upside against the kind of certainty it can actually get before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Season Could Decide How Soon Laremy Tunsil Returns
Laremy Tunsils road back to the field is still in the early stages, but there is at least some encouraging news for the Commanders. The veteran left tackle tore his triceps in training camp and had surgery, leaving Washington to move forward without one of its biggest offseason additions while he works through the rehab process.
Dan Quinn said Tunsil is still a few weeks away from his next medical check to see how the healing is progressing, and the signs so far have been described as on track. Even so, whether Tunsil plays again this season may end up depending as much on where the Commanders stand in the standings as on the next round of evaluations. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Backfield Question Just Got Tied To Two Big Names
The Commanders backfield is suddenly part of a bigger trade-deadline conversation, with ESPN linking Washington to two of the more recognizable running backs on the market. Jonathan Taylor of the Colts and Tony Pollard of the Titans both surfaced as possible targets, which at least gives a clearer sense of the kind of upgrade Washington could be weighing if it decides to chase help behind its offense.
Taylor appears to be the more realistic name to monitor, with Washington sitting near the top of the list of possible destinations. Pollard is a tougher fit to pry loose, given Tennessees desire to keep playmakers in place for Cam Ward, and ESPN still views Washingtons overall odds of landing a running back as low. Even so, the Commanders being mentioned at all suggests they are at least keeping tabs on a market that could shape the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]