Josh LeRibeus
Guard
SMU
Picked by Redskins in 3rd round (71 overall)
6-3, 312
The need: The Redskins found themselves scrambling last October after left guard Kory Lichtensteiger went out for the year with a torn ACL and MCL in the fifth game of the season. First they tried Erik Cook at center and moved Will Montgomery over to guard. When that didn’t work, rookie tackle Maurice Hurt was inserted into Lichtensteiger’s spot. That was better but far from ideal. By drafting LeRibeus and Adam Gettis, the Redskins hope to have serviceable depth in the short term and perhaps a starter in the long term.
The fit: LeRibeus is not as athletic as the prototypical Shanahan offensive lineman. He generally looks for linemen who run the 40 in the 5.0-second range. LeRibeus ran it in 5.37 at the combine. Still, he has both a good motor and a nasty streak and he generally finds a way to get his man blocked. He also practiced as the backup center at SMU and Shanahan has said that position flexibility will help players make the team.
The depth chart: Lichtensteiger will be back, but probably not until training camp. That will leave an opening for someone, perhaps LeRibeus, to get extra work at left guard during OTA’s. Montgomery appears to be set at center and Chris Chester did not miss a snap at right guard last year. LeRibeus will compete with Hurt, Gettis, and Cook for reserve spots in the interior of the line.
LeRibeus’ upside: It would be surprising if LeRibeus is not starting at either guard or center within a couple of years. He is not going to be on anyone’s Pro Bowl ballot but he could be a solid long-term starter.
Shanahan on LeRibeus: “Here’s a guy that has pretty good size, does have quickness, plays the center or guard position, has the ability to play both, [and is] extremely bright. We’re very happy to get him.”
LeRibeus on LeRibeus: (on blocking scheme at SMU and how he likes the zone) “Man, it was more of a man-blocking scheme. More of a two-point [stance], two-point all the time actually.” (zone) “Oh, I love it. We did a lot of it in the Shrine game. Definitely feels more at home . . . The three-point stance is just exploding off of the ball. [It’s] definitely something I feel more comfortable with.”
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