The movement was minuscule, just a twitch of Josh Conerly Jr.’s right knee. Bobby Johnson only noticed it after he slowed down the film. As the Washington Commanders’ offensive line coach, Johnson had been guiding Conerly’s transition from the position he played in college to the one he would play as an NFL rookie. One barely perceptible flaw was his only blemish. Fixing it would determine so much.

The Commanders drafted Conerly with the 29th pick in April’s draft and guaranteed him nearly $16 million, the culmination of years of scouting and months of deliberations. He may one day return to left tackle, the offensive line’s Cadillac position. But the Commanders traded for veteran Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil this offseason, which made Conerly a right tackle upon entry into the league.

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