Left guard Derrick Dockery signed his tender offer from the Redskins on Monday, the team has announced.

Dockery entered the 2006 offseason as a restricted free agent. The Redskins had tendered Dockery a contract on March 10, one day before the start of free agency.

By signing the tender, the 6-6, 335-pound lineman decided not to field offers from other teams this offseason. He could have waited to sign his offer sheet until the restricted free agency deadline on April 21.

Dockery is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2007 offseason.

In recent seasons, teams have become more creative in signing restricted free agents by inserting hard-to-reach clauses in contracts.

If another team had attempted to sign Dockery, it could have been difficult for the Redskins to retain him. However, the Redskins would have received a first-round draft pick from that team as compensation for signing Dockery.

Dockery entered the NFL as a third-round (81st overall) selection by the Redskins in the 2003 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 48 games during his three-year career, with 45 consecutive starts heading into next season.

Last season, Dockery and his fellow linemen helped running back Clinton Portis set a franchise record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,516 yards and most 100-yard rushing games in a season with nine.

The Redskins' remaining restricted free agents are wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, linebacker Chris Clemons and cornerback Ade Jimoh. All three have been tendered contracts.

Lloyd's tender was picked up by the Redskins in the trade with the 49ers. The Redskins would receive a first-round draft pick if another team attempts to sign Lloyd.