#josh-conerly-jr

#josh-conerly-jr

The NFL has a way of putting rookies through the fire, and Washington Commanders offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. more than sat on the burner in Week 2. Tasked with slowing down All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Washington right tackle had a performance to forget. He was beaten off the edge, exposed in space, and at times looked overwhelmed by the speed of the game. It was abysmal, no question. But it shouldn't be treated as a red flag - it's a reminder of the long road rookies face, especially when asked to make major transitions.

Last season, the Commanders employed an uncommon strategy at left tackle. Rookie Brandon Coleman platooned for the first half of the season with veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas. By the second half of the campaign, the TCU product began taking every snap. Washington could do that on the right side with Conerly and last year's starter, Andrew Wylie. Wylie is no world-beater. Last year, he graded out as the 57th-best tackle by Pro Football Focus.

The movement was minuscule, just a twitch of Josh Conerly Jr.'s right knee. Bobby Johnson only noticed it after he slowed down the film. As the Washington Commanders' offensive line coach, Johnson had been guiding Conerly's transition from the position he played in college to the one he would play as an NFL rookie. One barely perceptible flaw was his only blemish. Fixing it would determine so much.

Conerly Jr. shows exceptional foot quickness and speed for a man his size. His 1.70 10yd split was the fastest of any lineman at the combine.