All told, Lauvao is a potential cut candidate, with Washington able to save $4 million towards the salary cap if it parts ways with him, per overthecap.com. If the team opted to move on from Lauvao, they would need a replacement. Here are three savvy options, one big name, one good value and one under-the-radar candidate in free agency.

Big name: Kevin Zeitler, age 26

Zeitler has been the Bengals’ starting right guard since they drafted him in the first round back in 2012. He isn’t necessarily a flashy player, not many offensive lineman are, but finds a way to win blocks more often than not.

Here against the Broncos, the Bengals call for a counter run to their left. That requires Zeitler to pull from his right guard position and kick out the edge defender to that side.

Zeitler works across to his block without any trouble, but as he engages, he loses leverage. He allowes the edge defender to get underneath him and explode up into him. Zeitler, however, has plenty of natural strength and withstands the pressure from the defenders, maintaining the block as the running back approaches.

Zeitler prevents the edge defender from disengaging, keeping the running lane clear for the back, who bursts through the line of scrimmage on his way to a 50-yard gain.

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Zeitler isn’t a particularly outstanding athlete at guard, though he’s athletic enough. He suits power-based schemes more than zone, but that’s not to say he’s limited to one scheme. He has experience in Jay Gruden’s offense as Gruden was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati during Zeitler’s rookie season.

In pass protection, Zeitler is similarly effective. He doesn’t always use textbook technique, but he gets the job done.

On this play, Zeitler is matched up against Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

Zeitler attempts to surprise Cox, flashing his hands quickly with an early punch to his chest. Most offensive lineman normally sink back off the line of scrimmage in pass protection, but here, Zeitler catches Cox off-guard with an aggressive block. The punch stonewalls Cox initially, who counters by working to the outside.

Zeitler manages to mirror Cox’s movements, forcing him wider. The technique isn’t necessarily ideal, but it results in a clean pocket for his quarterback.

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Zeitler already has a connection to Washington having played under Gruden previously. The Bengals offense still has a lot of similar concepts to Gruden’s offense, meaning he should be able to transition smoothly. However, he is one of the top guards available in free agency this year, meaning he is likely to be in high demand, thus driving up his price tag. Washington may well decide to go for a cheaper option.

Good value: Larry Warford, age 25

At 6-foot-3, 332 pounds, Warford is a big-bodied offensive lineman. He very much plays to the mauler stereotype that is typically associated with guards of his size. He packs a punch, using plenty of power when run blocking.

Here, the Lions run a zone play to their right. Typically, a player of Warford’s size isn’t a great fit in the zone scheme, which normally deploys smaller, more agile lineman. But Warford can still find a way to be effective.

Warford’s assignment primarily is to work up to the linebacker. However, on his way there, he helps the center, who has the tough task of blocking Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison, one of the top run defenders in the league. Warford simply leans into Harrison on his way to the linebacker, but his size forces Harrison into the wrong gap. That gives the center the opportunity to cut off Harrison inside.

Warford works up to the linebacker, but fails to keep his pad level low. The linebacker gets under him, but Warford has enough strength to withstand the punch from the linebacker and not give up any ground.

Warford maintains the block as the running back bursts past and then shows the type of mentality coaches love. He finishes the block with conviction, throwing the linebacker to the ground.

In pass protection, Warford is effective in a phone-booth, meaning he works well in small spaces. If a stunt is run that forces him to work in space, he can be slightly exposed. But the strength he displays when run blocking translates to pass protection too.

On this play, the Eagles line up Fletcher Cox as a three-technique defensive tackle, on the outside shoulder of Warford.

Warford wins leverage early, getting his hands inside and on the chest of Cox. From that position, he has the ability to control the block.

Cox attempts to regain leverage, fighting with his hands to disengage with Warford. But Warford’s length allows him to reach Cox with one hand and keep control of the block.

Warford realizes he has the center working over to help him with Cox, so he looks outside to see if he can help the right tackle. The edge defender gets the better of the tackle, so Warford attempts to slide and cut off the edge rusher. He manages to get an arm on him, delaying the rush while still engaged with Cox. This gives quarterback Matthew Stafford all the time he needs to deliver his throw.

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At 25, Warford is still young and should provide good value over the life of a contract. If Washington wants to commit to running the ball more, as Scot McCloughan teams typically do, then adding a guard like Warford would certainly help in that regard. However, if Gruden continues to lean more towards the pass, then Warford’s limitations in pass protection may force Washington to look elsewhere.

Under the radar: Ronald Leary, age 27

Leary is the forgotten man on the Cowboys offensive line. La’el Collins replaced him as starter, but Leary was forced into action after Collins was lost for the season back in Week 3. Leary is a very capable starter and filled in well for Collins as the Cowboys’ offensive line led the team to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC. While he’s listed at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, he displayed a good initial burst off the line of scrimmage.

On this outside zone run to the right, Leary has to work up to the second level to take on the Mike linebacker.

Leary gets a great jump off the snap, taking his first step before most of his teammates even get out of their stance.

On his way to the second level, Leary helps out left tackle Tyron Smith. He lands a punch with his left arm on the shoulder of Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. That stops Hankins from penetrating the gap and gives Smith time to reach the block.

Leary gets past Hankins so quickly that Hankins desperately grabs on, holding on to the Leary’s left arm. He refuses to let go, holding him back to give the Mike ‘backer a chance to evade the block. Leary still nearly manages to get to the linebacker to cut him off, but the defensive holding from Hankins is clear and the penalty gets called.

In pass protection, Leary shows good awareness of different blitzes and understands which player he needs to pick up.

Here, the Eagles send the slot corner and a linebacker on a blitz from the left side of the offensive line, while dropping the defensive end on the far side into coverage.

Leary spots the blitz coming and prepares himself for the defensive end stunting inside. Leary picks him up and rides him inside towards center Travis Frederick, leaving Smith and the running back to pick up the linebacker and slot corner.

Leary has good control of the block, but as he leads him inside, Frederick works across to land a big hit, blowing up the block and eliminating the chance of the defender generating pressure.

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