Just hours before the 2017 NFL Draft is set to start, the Washington Redskins have reportedly signed right tackle Morgan Moses to a major extension.
The deal is set to be a 5-year extension to his current contract that will make Moses the second-highest paid right tackle in football.
Moses has elevated his level of play the last two seasons to a point in which has was formally in line for a big raise from the franchise. The third-year pro out of the University of Virginia has eliminated the need for conversation about drafting or signing another starting tackle.
In addition to his on-field improvements, Moses has been named NFL Players Association Community MVP on multiple occasion across the last two years for his work relating to his charity, the Morgan Moses Foundation.
With Trent Williams and Moses, the Redskins now have bookend tackles to protect the edges for years to come. If the team had not signed Moses this offseason, it would have been nearly impossible with impending free agent offers elsewhere to get him without over-spending.
The current highest-paid right tackle in the NFL is Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles. His contract averages $11.25 million per season. Second on the list is Ricky Wagner of the Detroit Lions whose deal has an average annual salary cap hit of $9.5 million per year.
So look for Morgan's deal to come in somewhere in the $10 million per year area
Redskins and OT Morgan Moses reached agreement on 5-year extension that will make him NFL's 2nd highest paid RT, per @caplannfl and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2017
Congrats to Morgan Moses on his extension! Well deserved. Fortunate to be playing with him & the rest of our O-line #Hogs2pointO
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) April 27, 2017
An offensive line that’s coming of age
Washington has one of the best and youngest offensive lines in the National Football League.
While they may have some doubt/questions on their left guard situation, overall their unit is one of the toughest. Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams (28) is the leader of the unit with Shawn Lauvao (29) next to him at left guard, Spencer Long (26) at center, Brandon Scherff (25) at right guard and Moses (26) at right tackle. Scherff is signed through 2019, Williams through 2020 and now Moses through 2021.
The thing that makes this unit so tough is its depth with tackle Ty Nsekhe and guard Arie Kouandjio the main two reserves coming off the bench. Nsekhe could likely start on several other teams while Kouandjio is an up-and-comer who saw his first start last season and did well in the process.
Could the Redskins draft a lineman this year?
The overall chances of Washington selecting an offensive lineman in this year’s draft are actually pretty good when you consider they have ten picks. The team has been looking for another option at left guard and can save near $4 million in cap space by releasing Shawn Lauvao.
If the Redskins do look to take an offensive lineman, don’t expect it before the 4th-5th rounds.
