The Washington Commanders selected offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. That’s the same offseason that new head coach Ron Rivera traded disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers.
No, Charles wasn’t drafted to be the next Trent Williams, but Washington was thrilled to land the former LSU left tackle in the fourth round. Charles was only 20 years old when Washington selected him. Charles played in 32 games in three seasons at LSU, making 28 starts. Of those 28 starts, 26 came at left tackle. He was the starting left tackle on LSU’s 2019 championship team.
After missing the first five games of his career due to injury, Charles debuted in Week 6 at left guard against the Giants. Charles dislocated his kneecap and was lost for the season.
Over the next two seasons, Charles would play in 23 games, with seven starts. Last season, he replaced a struggling Trai Turner at right guard for a few weeks.
While the Commanders have had a need at offensive tackle, they’ve mostly viewed Charles as a batter alternative at guard. And heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, Charles has another chance to impress Washington by winning the starting left guard job.
Charles is competing with Chris Paul, a seventh-round selection in 2022.
Head coach Ron Rivera spoke last week about Charles and mentioned health as his biggest obstacle to remaining in the starting in lineup.
“Well, first and foremost, we always know Saahdiq had the skillset to do it,” Rivera said “He’s gotta stay healthy. That’s probably the biggest thing right now for him. I mean, that always seemed to be the issue. If you go back and look at the times he’s played, um, something has come up whether it’s been the calf, it’s been the ankle, the shoulder. You just hope that he stays healthy because he has the skillset. He’s got the physical makeup, and again, it’s just a matter of being able to stay healthy, I believe.”
The Commanders have been looking for an answer at left guard since releasing Ereck Flowers last spring in a salary-cap move.
If Charles can remain healthy, don’t be surprised if he’s the choice. Washington has always liked his potential.
