Here we will be taking a look at possible prospects in each
round of the draft for the Redskins. Even with free agency at the twighlight
stage the ‘Skins still have a lot of holes to fill on the roster. With the
Redskins saying that they are open to trading the 5th overall pick,
I will also have possible players the Redskins could target if they trade back.
So I hope you enjoy!
Players/Positions in order from what I think what position they should target with that pick.
Players/Positions in order from what I think what position they should target with that pick.
First Round Pick 5:
Outside Linebackers:
1) Dante Fowler Jr.
2) Vic Beasley
3) Bud Dupree
4) Shane Ray
5) Randy Gregory
As of now the outside linebacker is the biggest need for the Redskins after losing Brian Orakpo in free agency. Dante Fowler would be my pick out everyone in the first round at the 5th pick. Fowler has been compared to Ryan Kerrigan and Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs, which is high praise after Houston totaled 22 sacks and Kerrigan with 13.5 in 2014. Dante Fowler solidified himself as a top 5 pick after having a really good pro day according to NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt. Fowler has a ton of potential after moving around a lot in college which means he is versatile and can improve even more when he gets to focus on one position. He also has the size that Scot McCloughan likes, and would have the Redskins likely running to the podium to call his name. Vic Beasley would be my next choice of the outside linebackers. He is a little undersized and needs to get better against the run but could help in his 1st season on 3rd down getting to the quarterback. If we drafted Bud Dupree I think we’d have to trade down a few spots since he isn’t projected in the top 10 but he’s my 3rd choice of OLBs because like Fowler he moved around a lot in college, he has the size, and he has a lot of potential. Shane Ray would be a ligament option at 5 but there are concerns about his size and if he has the ability to play OLB, but he has a very high motor and could contribute immediately. Randy Gregory would be my last option in the first round because of off-the-field concerns and because of weight and injury issues but he would still help the Redskins pass rush.
Quarterbacks:
1) Marcus Mariota
I have Marcus Mariota 2nd overall just behind Fowler at 5 because even if the Redskins decide not to take him he would be trade bait for the Redskins to use. But they could also consider taking him because the Redskins currently don’t have QB under contract for the 2016 season. So Washington could decide to select Mariota, let him sit for a year, and take over in 2016. But either way they will be hoping Marcus is still there when they select.
Defensive Line:
1) Leonard Williams
2) Danny Shelton
3) Malcom Brown
4) Arik Armstead
After the Redskins focused on adding to the defensive line the most early in free agency, they still need to add more player there. Hatcher is aging while Terrance Knighton only signed a one year deal. I would have Williams #1 for the Redskins but it’s highly unlikely he is still there when the Redskins pick, but if he was it would be a dream come true as he is the best player in the draft. And all four, yes all four, picks ahead of the Redskins would have to be a part of the conversation in the draft room. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tampa decided to go with Williams to make a scary tandem with Williams and McCoy on the D-Line and then take a QB in the 2nd round, but that’s another story. Williams is a monster up front and has been compared to former Patriots d-lineman Richard Seymour. For Shelton, Brown, and Armstead I think the Redskins would have to trade back a few spots for them.
Wide Receiver:
1) Amari Cooper
2) DeVante Parker
3) Kevin White
Wide Receiver is another position that could help the Redskins, whether they decide to pick on or trade with someone who wants to pick one. Amari Cooper is my number one WR because he is a great route runner, has good hands, and would contribute immediately. He would also be a good trade option as the 49ers are reportedly ‘in love’ with him and would consider trading up for him. DeVante Parker is my 2nd WR but I ultimately think he will have the best career out of these 3. Bleecher Report recently had DeVante Parker being picked by the Redskins at #5 and my initial thought was "how in the world?" But then I thought about it, the Redskins could be without Garcon and/or Jackson in a year or two and are biggest receiver is Garcon who is only 6'0" tall. So the Redskins need a big receiver who could also be a red-zone target (as they have been horrible in the red-zone the past few years), and Parker fits that mold well. Kevin White is 3rd on my list because he only produced one season at West Virginia but he could be a real option for the Redskins with the 5th overall pick, but he could also be good trade bait.
Offensive Line:
1) Brandon Scherff
2) Ereck Flowers
3) D.J. Humphries
4) La’el Collins
Gruden and McCloughan are more comfortable with the offensive line than the fans are. They are planning to have Spencer Long and Chris Chester compete for the starting role at right guard, and are hoping Morgan Moses can return quickly so he can compete with Tom Compton at right tackle. But the Redskins are still looking to add more pieces to a line that gave up 58 sacks last season. At the 5th pick it’d be a reach for Washington to select an offensive lineman, especially since the #1 rated lineman is projected to be a guard. And speaking of him Brandon Scherff would be a real possibility if the Redskins did trade back. And like I said earlier he would play guard in the NFL but he would have the versatility to play outside if he ever had to. Ereck Flowers is another great option if the Redskins traded back. In 2015 Flowers didn’t allow any sacks, he only had 2 holding calls against him (both against Ark St.), and only allowed 3 pressures vs top 25-ranked defenders. D.J. Humphries is another rising prospect like Fowlers and also has the ability to play left or right side. La’el Collins also projects better at guard in the NFL and would be a monster on the inside.
Defensive Backs:
1) Marcus Peters
2) Landon Collins
3) Trae Waynes
Obviously the Redskins would have to trade back to select one of these players, as none of them project in the top 10. Marcus Peters is my number one corner in the draft, although he might fall into the 2nd round. He has some off-the-field issues and some scouts are worried if he’s coachable or not; even though his dad was his high school coach. But he is a great player and would provide a new attitude in the secondary like Seattle’s. Washington would have to trade back to near the 20’s to select Landon Collins without reaching for him. He is the best safety in this class and would also provide a new attitude to the secondary. Earlier in the draft season he was projected to go to the Redskins in most drafts but after watching more tapes, scouts have moved him down on draft boards because they are worried about his coverage skills. Trae Waynes is rated as the top CB on most draft boards and could go around the tenth pick in the draft. But I’m not sure he’s got the size that McCloughan would like while he is 6’1 but only 185lbs.
1) Dante Fowler Jr.
2) Vic Beasley
3) Bud Dupree
4) Shane Ray
5) Randy Gregory
As of now the outside linebacker is the biggest need for the Redskins after losing Brian Orakpo in free agency. Dante Fowler would be my pick out everyone in the first round at the 5th pick. Fowler has been compared to Ryan Kerrigan and Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs, which is high praise after Houston totaled 22 sacks and Kerrigan with 13.5 in 2014. Dante Fowler solidified himself as a top 5 pick after having a really good pro day according to NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt. Fowler has a ton of potential after moving around a lot in college which means he is versatile and can improve even more when he gets to focus on one position. He also has the size that Scot McCloughan likes, and would have the Redskins likely running to the podium to call his name. Vic Beasley would be my next choice of the outside linebackers. He is a little undersized and needs to get better against the run but could help in his 1st season on 3rd down getting to the quarterback. If we drafted Bud Dupree I think we’d have to trade down a few spots since he isn’t projected in the top 10 but he’s my 3rd choice of OLBs because like Fowler he moved around a lot in college, he has the size, and he has a lot of potential. Shane Ray would be a ligament option at 5 but there are concerns about his size and if he has the ability to play OLB, but he has a very high motor and could contribute immediately. Randy Gregory would be my last option in the first round because of off-the-field concerns and because of weight and injury issues but he would still help the Redskins pass rush.
Quarterbacks:
1) Marcus Mariota
I have Marcus Mariota 2nd overall just behind Fowler at 5 because even if the Redskins decide not to take him he would be trade bait for the Redskins to use. But they could also consider taking him because the Redskins currently don’t have QB under contract for the 2016 season. So Washington could decide to select Mariota, let him sit for a year, and take over in 2016. But either way they will be hoping Marcus is still there when they select.
Defensive Line:
1) Leonard Williams
2) Danny Shelton
3) Malcom Brown
4) Arik Armstead
After the Redskins focused on adding to the defensive line the most early in free agency, they still need to add more player there. Hatcher is aging while Terrance Knighton only signed a one year deal. I would have Williams #1 for the Redskins but it’s highly unlikely he is still there when the Redskins pick, but if he was it would be a dream come true as he is the best player in the draft. And all four, yes all four, picks ahead of the Redskins would have to be a part of the conversation in the draft room. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tampa decided to go with Williams to make a scary tandem with Williams and McCoy on the D-Line and then take a QB in the 2nd round, but that’s another story. Williams is a monster up front and has been compared to former Patriots d-lineman Richard Seymour. For Shelton, Brown, and Armstead I think the Redskins would have to trade back a few spots for them.
Wide Receiver:
1) Amari Cooper
2) DeVante Parker
3) Kevin White
Wide Receiver is another position that could help the Redskins, whether they decide to pick on or trade with someone who wants to pick one. Amari Cooper is my number one WR because he is a great route runner, has good hands, and would contribute immediately. He would also be a good trade option as the 49ers are reportedly ‘in love’ with him and would consider trading up for him. DeVante Parker is my 2nd WR but I ultimately think he will have the best career out of these 3. Bleecher Report recently had DeVante Parker being picked by the Redskins at #5 and my initial thought was "how in the world?" But then I thought about it, the Redskins could be without Garcon and/or Jackson in a year or two and are biggest receiver is Garcon who is only 6'0" tall. So the Redskins need a big receiver who could also be a red-zone target (as they have been horrible in the red-zone the past few years), and Parker fits that mold well. Kevin White is 3rd on my list because he only produced one season at West Virginia but he could be a real option for the Redskins with the 5th overall pick, but he could also be good trade bait.
Offensive Line:
1) Brandon Scherff
2) Ereck Flowers
3) D.J. Humphries
4) La’el Collins
Gruden and McCloughan are more comfortable with the offensive line than the fans are. They are planning to have Spencer Long and Chris Chester compete for the starting role at right guard, and are hoping Morgan Moses can return quickly so he can compete with Tom Compton at right tackle. But the Redskins are still looking to add more pieces to a line that gave up 58 sacks last season. At the 5th pick it’d be a reach for Washington to select an offensive lineman, especially since the #1 rated lineman is projected to be a guard. And speaking of him Brandon Scherff would be a real possibility if the Redskins did trade back. And like I said earlier he would play guard in the NFL but he would have the versatility to play outside if he ever had to. Ereck Flowers is another great option if the Redskins traded back. In 2015 Flowers didn’t allow any sacks, he only had 2 holding calls against him (both against Ark St.), and only allowed 3 pressures vs top 25-ranked defenders. D.J. Humphries is another rising prospect like Fowlers and also has the ability to play left or right side. La’el Collins also projects better at guard in the NFL and would be a monster on the inside.
Defensive Backs:
1) Marcus Peters
2) Landon Collins
3) Trae Waynes
Obviously the Redskins would have to trade back to select one of these players, as none of them project in the top 10. Marcus Peters is my number one corner in the draft, although he might fall into the 2nd round. He has some off-the-field issues and some scouts are worried if he’s coachable or not; even though his dad was his high school coach. But he is a great player and would provide a new attitude in the secondary like Seattle’s. Washington would have to trade back to near the 20’s to select Landon Collins without reaching for him. He is the best safety in this class and would also provide a new attitude to the secondary. Earlier in the draft season he was projected to go to the Redskins in most drafts but after watching more tapes, scouts have moved him down on draft boards because they are worried about his coverage skills. Trae Waynes is rated as the top CB on most draft boards and could go around the tenth pick in the draft. But I’m not sure he’s got the size that McCloughan would like while he is 6’1 but only 185lbs.
My Pick: Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida
Backup Option: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson or DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Backup Option: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson or DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville