Editor’s note: We’ll be running down some key roster battles in the the leadup to Washington Commanders training camp later this month. John Portis has taken the lead on this series that will look at rookies, veterans, and free agents who are fighting for playing time in July.
Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Brandon Coleman entered the 2025 season as the expected starter at left guard for the Washington Commanders. He missed a good portion of training camp due to injury but eventually
slotted in next to Laremy Tunsil as the week one starter. However, two weeks into the season, he was benched in favor of 2022 seventh-round pick, Chris Paul.
Paul went on to play 88% of the team’s offensive snaps at the position, providing solid play for the remainder of 2025. An unrestricted free agent, there was some thought Chris might leave the team during the offseason, but his market was cool, and Adam Peters retained him on a one-year, $3m agreement. As the incumbent, he may have been presumed to be the starter in 2026, but early OTA reports had Brandon Coleman taking first-team reps at the left guard position. Both players enter camp with an eye towards claiming the role as their own.
There seems to be some idea that Brandon Coleman is more athletic than Chris Paul, but the difference between the two in testing is minimal.
While Paul has a poor short shuttle time and only a “good” rating for agility, his athletic profile is not far behind Coleman’s. Chris also has better size and demonstrated superior hand technique and pass protection last season. In over 535 pass-blocking snaps, Paul allowed just 17 pressures and two sacks. The Tulsa lineman also played 439 offensive snaps for the team at left guard in 2023 and started five games. While Chris’ performance left a lot to be desired, he did come away with valuable experience, which contributed to his development. As previously mentioned, Paul played at Tulsa, where he was asked to operate in a “veer-and-shoot” system with wide splits and multiple protections, giving him a foundation for a zone scheme.
TCU ran a variation of the same scheme, and Coleman’s agility and athleticism clearly make him a fit for a zone scheme. He has never been a power player in the run game but could effectively seal off defenders in this system. Early on it seemed like the team might try Coleman at center, but the selection of Matt Gulbin should allow Brandon to fully focus on the guard position this offseason. Coleman played 716 total snaps at guard throughout his college career; 255 of those were at left guard. Many draft analysts chose to profile him at the guard position instead of tackle during the pre-draft process.
The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala summed up the upcoming matchup in her mailbag article before the start of OTAs.
I would think Coleman has a better shot to start at guard than compete at center. The Commanders re-signed Chris Paul after his strong season, but they didn’t have to spend much to do it. His contract is for only one year and $3 million, a reflection of how he’s valued by the league. That means (left) guard is far from solidified, giving Coleman a chance to earn back the job he lost to Paul early last season.
Coleman said last season that he intended to work out with left tackle Laremy Tunsil at Auburn this offseason, a move that would likely help his development.
I have seen some fans try to factor in the acquisition of a possible compensatory pick for Paul as a reason to start him and others suggesting that Coleman should be the favorite to account for a possible Daniels extension down the road. Neither reason should be given much consideration by the Commanders coaching staff when making this decision. The team go with the best player to establish the run and protect Washington’s franchise quarterback this season. Coleman quietly seems to have a good shot to win the job during camp, but Paul was in the exact same position last season and claimed the starting role with his technique and play. Who will win the nod at starting left guard this year?
