Why Mike Iupati Must Be at Top of Washington Redskins' Free-Agent Wish List

Across the NFL, there are offensive lines that thrive in run-blocking and ones that excel in pass protection. The Washington Redskins' O-line falls under neither category, which is a reality the team's fans know all too well.

Mind you, this was a position group that ate up more than $26 million in salary-cap space in 2014. In fact, no team in the league allocated a greater share of its funds to the offensive line than the Redskins last season.

And what did they have to show for it?

Washington was last in the NFC in sacks allowed. At one time, the only competent thing it did—running the football—became a struggle as well. The NFL's top rushing team just two seasons ago, and fifth-best in 2013, finished the 2014 campaign 19th in rushing.

Despite all the firepower it has at its disposal, with the likes of Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed and Alfred Morris, Washington is at a standstill on offense because of these deficiencies.

Looking to the NFL draft, there isn't an offensive lineman available worthy of being selected with the No. 5 overall pick, according to the draft rankings of ESPN.com's Todd McShay.

And as you've seen with recent draft picks Morgan Moses and Spencer Long, there's no guarantee that an offensive lineman selected later will be ready to contribute as a rookie.

So save the speech: Washington's answer to this problem is in free agency. And his name is Mike Iupati.

We've all heard it. The hiring of Scot McCloughan as the team's new general manager is supposed to signal the end of owner Daniel Snyder's penchant for handing out blank checks to any prospective free agent willing to come to D.C.

As he stated during his introductory press conference, McCloughan's emphasis will be on drafting, developing and re-signing his own players. That's all well and good, but the 'Skins have more needs than draft picks to fill them.

It didn't occur often in San Francisco, but as evidenced by his signing of Justin Smith, McCloughan will splurge in free agency if mitigating factors prompt it.

Iupati is a player who checks all the boxes (age, health, production and fit) that teams look for in evaluating free agents—at least, the good ones.

In five seasons, Iupati has missed all of five games. Most importantly, he showed no ill effects from the broken fibula he suffered in the 2013 postseason. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Iupati also has his age going for him. He'll open the 2015 campaign at 28 years old.

As for fit, the Redskins are at their best when they have a rushing attack to lean on (see: the 2012 season).

Iupati was ranked by Pro Football Focus (h/t David Fucillo of Niners Nation) as the top run-blocking left guard in 2014. He was ranked 14th overall on the year for guards, which can be attributed to the seven sacks he allowed on the year.

While Iupati can't be completely absolved for his role in these sacks, the skittish play of quarterback Colin Kaepernick from the pocket certainly played a part in this sack total.

Although they too have a signal-caller (Robert Griffin III) who is lacking in pocket awareness, as you can tell in the illustration from The Washington Post's Mark Bullock, the Redskins' woes along the offensive line amount to a talent issue:

"

LG Shawn Lauvao in pass protection. Number 77. Gripped, pulled, beaten. pic.twitter.com/1NwTubrWkF

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 16, 2014"

Boasting roughly $13 million in cap space, and that's before you take into account the money the team can save with the ouster of some overpaid veterans, Washington has the means to bolster its talent base by bringing Iupati into the fold.

He may not grab the most headlines, but with the NFL game often being decided in the trenches, Iupati should be at the top of the Redskins' wish list entering free agency.

Salary-cap information courtesy of Spotrac.