Washington Redskins: 10 Waiver Wire Linemen Who Would Boost Depth

Now that final roster cuts have been announced, it is clear that the Redskins lack depth in the trenches.  Both lines would benefit from the addition of a quality backup as insurance against the kind of injury that ruled out rookie Jarvis Jenkins for the season.

The offensive line doesn't have one reserve guard, while the defensive line has the bare minimum of cover at each of its three positions.

The waiver wire offers plenty of options for the Redskins coaching staff to consider.  One or two acquisitions would give the team credible strength in depth heading into the regular season.

Here are 10 linemen who would help the team in this area, beginning first with five defensive line options.

10. Igor Olshansky, Defensive End

His production may have declined during the last couple of seasons, but Igor Olshansky is a 3-4 veteran who would seamlessly fit into the Redskins' defensive scheme.

A classic two-gap defensive end, Olshansky has the size and strength to be a force against the run.  By taking on a backup role, Olshansky will be able to stay fresher for longer periods.

This would allow the former Dallas Cowboy to hold up better at the point of attack and keep blockers away off the Redskins' linebackers.

Olshansky's system knowledge and pro experience could prove to be valuable assets over the course of the season.

9. Colin Cole, Nose Tackle

6'2", 330-pound nine-year veteran Colin Cole has the ideal frame for the two-gap responsibilities of a 3-4 nose tackle.

His power and leverage make him a good anchor man for a three-man line.  Cole would be a good deputy for free agent acquisition Barry Cofield.

Cole's size would enable him to occupy interior blocking schemes and create lanes for the inside linebackers.

Cole is a natural fit for a 3-4 scheme and would provide more credible depth at the most important position on the Redskins defense.

8. Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Defensive Tackle

Ogemdi Nwagbuo is an interesting option for the Redskins to consider.  The 6'4", 312-pounder has two seasons experience playing in the Chargers' hybrid 3-4.

A one-gap penetrating tackle, Nwagbuo would offer the Redskins a useful weapon in passing situations.  Jim Haslett could use Nwagbuo as an interior rusher in nickel packages.

Before his season-ending injury, Jarvis Jenkins was showing a lot of promise as a pass rusher.  Without him, the Redskins could be forced to overwork starters Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen by having to keep them on the field on third downs.

Aged 25, Nwagbuo would also fit in nicely with the Redskins' efforts to assemble a younger roster this offseason.

7. Nick Hayden, Defensive Tackle

Nick Hayden has the size to provide useful versatility to the Redskins defensive line rotation.  At 6'4" and 292 pounds, Hayden would offer a more active presence at nose tackle.

The former Carolina Panther also has the size and range to fill in as a five-technique defensive end when needed.

Like Nwagbuo, Hayden satisfies the Redskins' desire to get younger.  The 25-year-old three-year pro would bring plenty of enthusiasm and hustle to the Redskins defense.

When the team made the surprising decision to release Anthony Bryant, that meant that seventh-round rookie Chris Neild is the only backup at nose tackle.

Hayden, like Colin Cole, would be a more proven option, who could even allow Barry Cofield to slide out to defensive end in certain defensive looks. 

6. Damione Lewis, Defensive Tackle

10-year veteran Damione Lewis has the experience and size to be a valuable member of the Redskins defensive line rotation.

The 33-year-old has been a 4-3 practitioner for the majority of his career.  But Lewis could provide credible cover in a variety of roles.

His size, aggression and leverage make him a good fit for nose tackle, as well as interior rusher in four man fronts.

Lewis has decent skills as a pass rusher and is powerful enough to regularly push the pocket.  These techniques would transfer well to some of the Redskins defensive packages.

5. Max Jean-Gilles, Guard

Max Jean-Gilles may have failed to win over the Cincinnati Bengals' coaching staff, but the 27-year-old possesses the attributes and experience to fill a huge void for the Redskins.

Jean-Gilles played his first five pro seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, so he has plenty of useful NFC East experience.  He registered 10 starts in both 2008 and 2010.

The 6'3", 320-pounder would need to refine his technique to operate effectively in Mike Shanahan's zone blocking schemes.

Jean-Gilles is capable of making plays in space and also has the size to overwhelm opponents at the point of attack.

If he can polish the mechanics of his game, Jean-Gilles would bolster the depth of one of the Redskins' most suspect position groups. 

4. Ray Willis, Guard/Tackle

Ray Willis has the ability to play both guard and tackle, and would bring flexibility and good size to the Redskins offensive line.

His versatility would be invaluable to a thin position group.  Having an experienced pro who can fill in at multiple positions would be a huge boost for an area of the team that needs to show genuine improvement this season.

The 6'6", 304-pounder would provide good insurance against Jammal Brown succumbing to injury.  Brown has been hampered by various ailments in recent seasons, and Willis has the ability to step in.

3. Mike McGlynn, Guard

Mike McGlynn has experience playing at both guard and center.  The 6'4", 315-pound former Philadelphia Eagle would fill a definite need for the Redskins.

McGlynn has spent his entire pro career in the NFC East and would not require any time to adapt to the division's fearsome defenses.

The 26-year-old would be a valuable utility player for the Redskins to rely on should injuries or poor performance undermine their rebuilt front five.

2. Ryan Cook, OL

Ryan Cook is a six-year veteran with the versatility to plug gaps anywhere along the Redskins offensive front.  Cook is a proven pro commodity and would be an invaluable utility player for the Redskins to count on.

Cook has experience at right tackle, but has also filled in at both guard spots and center throughout his career.  He offers excellent size at 6'6" and 328 pounds.

Cook possesses decent technique, but relies mostly on brute force and smash mouth ferocity to knock open running lanes and protect the pocket.

In this respect, the 28-year-old would offer an alternative option to current starting guards Kory Lichtensteiger and Chris Chester.

Cook would be a dependable reserve for Redskins coaches to rely on and his flexibility would provide strong competition at multiple line spots.

1. Ryan Harris, Right Tackle

Surprisingly released by the Philadelphia Eagles, Ryan Harris is a perfect fit for the Redskins blocking scheme.

Harris became a starter under Mike Shanahan when both men were with the Denver Broncos.  The 6'5", 300-pound former Notre Dame product has the technique, quickness and agility to excel in a zone-based blocking system.

The 26-year-old would provide strong competition for the right tackle position and give the Redskins a starting calibre reserve to call upon.

Adding one or two linemen would give the Redskins more options for sub packages and provide the team with better strength in depth to mount a serious challenge for a postseason berth.