The Washington Commanders were thrilled when Oregon left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. fell to them with the 29th overall pick, and it's because he's one of the best when it comes to clearing lanes for running backs and protecting quarterbacks.
Conerly, an All-Big Ten selection, allowed just one sack and five pressures in 2024. That sack came in Week 2 against Boise State. He kept quarterback Dillon Gabriel off the ground for the rest of the season, allowing only two quarterback hits.
Conerly's 2024 campaign was full of exceptional blocks, but here are five of our favorite plays from Washington's newest offensive lineman last season.
**Conerly plants Abdul Carter into the turf**
Carter was one of the most fearsome pass rushers in college football last season and the best overall prospect in this year's draft, but even the No. 3 overall pick had trouble against Conerly.
Conerly matched up against Carter six times in the Big Ten Championship, and all of them ended with the pass-rusher being negated or washed out of the play. It was one of the best performances of Conerly's college career, and it stood out to general manager Adam Peters.
Although each of Conerly's six reps against Carter have their own unique appeal, the one where he plants Carter into the turf at the 39-yard line is perhaps the most satisfying.