The Washington Commanders set out to acquire one of the top offensive tackles to protect Jayden Daniels in his second season. It required some draft capital, but they achieved that goal by trading for Laremy Tunsil in a deal with the Houston Texans.
And not that general manager Adam Peters or head coach Dan Quinn need any validation that it was the right move, but analysts continue to place Tunsil among the best in his position, as Pro Football Focus ranked him at the eighth-best offensive tackle ahead of the 2025 season.
"While he has never been better than an above-average run blocker, Tunsil continues to be one of the best pass protectors in the NFL," wrote PFF's Zoltán Buday. "During his six seasons with the Houston Texans, he earned a 92.3 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked first among 57 qualifying offensive tackles."
That proficiency at keeping quarterbacks upright is exactly what drew the Commanders' interest in Tunsil. Although they had one of the most explosive offenses in the league in 2024, fueled by more than 5,000 total yards from Daniels, they were also near the bottom of the league in allowing sacks. Daniels was sacked 47 times in 2024, which is nearly 20 fewer times than what Sam Howell endured in 2023 but still high enough to be the fifth most among quarterbacks.
Tunsil isn't the only piece Washington added to fix that issue -- they also drafted Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th overall pick -- but is set to be the most important. He's allowed the fifth-lowest pressure rate among left tackles since 2022 and has a strong track record against players like Myles Garrett.
Tunsil said he "can't wait" to block for Daniels and knows the Commanders traded for him to make a big impact. He intends to live up to those expectations.
"Just watching this team on film last year, a tremendous team, top to bottom, special teams, defense, offense," Tunsil said. "I think [Peters and Quinn] put a great team together and just added a few more pieces, added myself. It's only going to make it better."
Although last season was a disappointment for the Houston Texans, Tunsil largely performed as expected from a perennial Pro Bowler. He allowed just 19 pressures on 659 pass-blocking snaps, earning him an 88.6 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Tunsil has graded with at least an 85 in the category in five of the last six seasons and posted an efficiency rating of at least 98 in three seasons during that span.
Tunsil will certainly be tested in the NFC East against teams who boast potent pass-rushers. The Giants, Washington's Week 1 opponent, bolstered a group that already had Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns with Penn State's Abdul Carter, who many considered to be the best overall player in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys still have Micah Parsons, and the Eagles have arguably the NFL's best defense full of talented players like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.
If the Commanders hope to replicate their success from last season, they'll need Tunsil to perform like the top 10 offensive tackle he's been touted to be for most of his career.
"Now, the 30-year-old will prove his mettle with the Commanders after being traded this offseason," Buday wrote.
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