Former top Commanders draft pick without a job deserves a training camp invite

It's been a long time since the Washington Commanders had stable protection in front of the quarterback, and the last offensive lineman to receive Pro Bowl honors with the franchise is surprisingly still looking for work with just a few short weeks remaining until training camp.

Nobody could blame Brandon Scherff for taking his chances elsewhere in 2022 free agency. The Commanders were not in good shape at the time, so the imposing interior protector jumped ship to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the first opportunity.

Things didn't go quite according to plan in Jacksonville. This was another dysfunctional organization languishing among the NFL's bottom feeders. Scherff's production was solid if not spectacular, but it failed to meet the expectations that typically come with a lofty price tag.

Former Commanders star Brandon Scherff is still playing well enough to feature somewhere

Scherff might be coming to the tail-end of his NFL journey. However, his production last season hinted that there is some good football left.

He played 1,013 snaps for the Jaguars last season, giving up two penalties and conceding zero sacks. His 74.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 19th among 136 qualifying guards. That's more than enough to get another shot somewhere.

And yet, nothing has arrived. The Jaguars went in a different direction, and nobody has taken the bait to even give Scherff a training camp invite as yet.

There's still time for that to change. And it should.

The former No. 5 overall selection out of Iowa might not be among the league's most accomplished guards right now, but Scherff remains starting caliber. Last season proved that. Considering how offensive line depth around the league is always a concern for most, seeing what he's got is a chance worth taking.

It's unlikely that he will be with the Commanders. They've moved on, although losing right guard Sam Cosmi to a torn ACL represents a blow. Either Nick Allegretti or Andrew Wylie will fill he void. If neither performs well and Scherff is still sitting on the market, the prospect becomes more realistic.

Perhaps this is also a sign that Scherff might be done. Retirement isn't far away. There's been no public sign from the lineman that he's turning his back on the gridiron entirely, which makes his current availability all the more bizarre.

Injuries happen all the time at camp, so he'll be ready and waiting for the correct fit to come along. Until then, it'll be a frustrating waiting game for the All-Pro.

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