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.
Second Round Pick 38:
Inside Linebackers:
Stephone Anthony
Eric Kendricks
Benardrick McKinney
Inside Linebacker is an underrated need for the Redskins, Perry Riley underperformed last season (and could be in a competition this offseason with Will Compton), Keenan Robinson is a rising star but is injury prone, and so they’ll also need to add some more depth. I ranked these linebackers by more of how they’d fit with the Redskins, than how they perform as they are all projected to go late first to early second. Stephone Anthony would be a perfect fit beside Robinson, as he is a great pass rusher, run stuffer, can also do some pass coverage, and was also a guest on a ESPN980 show, a radio station owned by Dan Snyder. Eric Kendricks is more of a pass coverage ILB where the Redskins also lacked in last season. And Benardrick McKinney is another all-around player that would immediately help the defense.
Stephone Anthony
Eric Kendricks
Benardrick McKinney
Inside Linebacker is an underrated need for the Redskins, Perry Riley underperformed last season (and could be in a competition this offseason with Will Compton), Keenan Robinson is a rising star but is injury prone, and so they’ll also need to add some more depth. I ranked these linebackers by more of how they’d fit with the Redskins, than how they perform as they are all projected to go late first to early second. Stephone Anthony would be a perfect fit beside Robinson, as he is a great pass rusher, run stuffer, can also do some pass coverage, and was also a guest on a ESPN980 show, a radio station owned by Dan Snyder. Eric Kendricks is more of a pass coverage ILB where the Redskins also lacked in last season. And Benardrick McKinney is another all-around player that would immediately help the defense.
Interior Offensive Linemen:
Laken Tomlinson
A.J. Cann
Cameron Irving
Jay Gruden and Scot McCloughan believe that the guard spots are not major needs as of now. But they are expected to draft some offensive linemen in this draft after focusing on building up the defense in free agency. Laken Tomlinson and A.J. Cann are both projected near the top of the 2nd round and both players would be good fits, but I would take Tomlinson as I believe he has a lot of upside and he performed very well at the senior bowl against Danny Shelton. Cameron Irving is projected to be a 1st round pick if he plays center but if he falls to the Redskins in round 2 it will be hard to pass up on him as he solidified the Florida State offensive line last season after moving to center.
Laken Tomlinson
A.J. Cann
Cameron Irving
Jay Gruden and Scot McCloughan believe that the guard spots are not major needs as of now. But they are expected to draft some offensive linemen in this draft after focusing on building up the defense in free agency. Laken Tomlinson and A.J. Cann are both projected near the top of the 2nd round and both players would be good fits, but I would take Tomlinson as I believe he has a lot of upside and he performed very well at the senior bowl against Danny Shelton. Cameron Irving is projected to be a 1st round pick if he plays center but if he falls to the Redskins in round 2 it will be hard to pass up on him as he solidified the Florida State offensive line last season after moving to center.
Outside Linebackers/Pass Rushers:
Eli Harold
Randy Gregory
Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Shaq Thompson
Nate Orchard
If the Redskins do not select a pass-rusher in the 1st round then picking a pass rusher in round two will significantly increase the chance. Except for Orchard they are all pass rushers who could fall out of the first round. I believe Eli Harold can become a very good player for whatever team that takes him, and he would be a good fit for the Redskins. He needs to add some more strength and get better at stopping the run, so while the Redskins are grooming him, early in his career he would mainly play on passing downs while Murphy would play on first and second, until they improve Harold’s game against the run. Near the beginning of the offseason Randy Gregory was projected to go number second overall to the Titans, but since then he has had multiple off-the-field and weight issues. And is now projected to go late first to early 2nd, so the Redskins could potentially get a top-10 talent in the second round. Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a freakishly athletic player who is raw but has the size that McCloughan likes and would have an immediate impact his rookie season. Shaq Thompson is one of the more interesting player in the draft, he could possibly play OLB, RB, or S. Experts would have him projected in the 1st round for sure if he played, RB but he insists on playing OLB. And Nate Orchard recorded 18.5 sacks last season, and while they would need to develop him into an all-around player, he would be a nice complement to Ryan Kerrigan.
Eli Harold
Randy Gregory
Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Shaq Thompson
Nate Orchard
If the Redskins do not select a pass-rusher in the 1st round then picking a pass rusher in round two will significantly increase the chance. Except for Orchard they are all pass rushers who could fall out of the first round. I believe Eli Harold can become a very good player for whatever team that takes him, and he would be a good fit for the Redskins. He needs to add some more strength and get better at stopping the run, so while the Redskins are grooming him, early in his career he would mainly play on passing downs while Murphy would play on first and second, until they improve Harold’s game against the run. Near the beginning of the offseason Randy Gregory was projected to go number second overall to the Titans, but since then he has had multiple off-the-field and weight issues. And is now projected to go late first to early 2nd, so the Redskins could potentially get a top-10 talent in the second round. Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a freakishly athletic player who is raw but has the size that McCloughan likes and would have an immediate impact his rookie season. Shaq Thompson is one of the more interesting player in the draft, he could possibly play OLB, RB, or S. Experts would have him projected in the 1st round for sure if he played, RB but he insists on playing OLB. And Nate Orchard recorded 18.5 sacks last season, and while they would need to develop him into an all-around player, he would be a nice complement to Ryan Kerrigan.
Cornerbacks:
Kevin Johnson
Ronald Darby
Eric Rowe
Byron Jones
Quinten Rollins
Jalen Collins
After adding Chris Culliver in free agency, the Redskins depth chart now looks as the following: Culliver, Breeland, Hall, Amerson, Porter and a few back-up/practice squad players. In all they have 9 cornerbacks, but they still need to add depth with Hall and Porter coming off injuries, and with Amerson having a low season. Kevin Johnson would be a great add in the second round, after being one of the best combine performers at his position, and also having one of the best feet work on tape at his position, but unfortunately I believe he will be gone by the time the Redskins pick in the 2nd round. Ronald Darby is a little undersized but has a lot of potential, he had to live in teammates P.J. Williams’ shadow for the first few games this past season at FSU, but then became the player that QBs threw away from. Eric Rowe and Bryon Jones has been talked about going into the first round, but they could play either CB or safety for whatever team drafts them. Rowe has the size and Jones was off-the-charts at the combine and his Pro Day. Quinten Rollins played one year of college football, but he was a turnover machine and a good tackler, he could also play safety or CB. Jalen Collins has been projected in the first round by many people, but I believe that he will slip into the middle of the second round because he was inconsistent and didn’t even play a snap in some of LSU’s games this season.
Kevin Johnson
Ronald Darby
Eric Rowe
Byron Jones
Quinten Rollins
Jalen Collins
After adding Chris Culliver in free agency, the Redskins depth chart now looks as the following: Culliver, Breeland, Hall, Amerson, Porter and a few back-up/practice squad players. In all they have 9 cornerbacks, but they still need to add depth with Hall and Porter coming off injuries, and with Amerson having a low season. Kevin Johnson would be a great add in the second round, after being one of the best combine performers at his position, and also having one of the best feet work on tape at his position, but unfortunately I believe he will be gone by the time the Redskins pick in the 2nd round. Ronald Darby is a little undersized but has a lot of potential, he had to live in teammates P.J. Williams’ shadow for the first few games this past season at FSU, but then became the player that QBs threw away from. Eric Rowe and Bryon Jones has been talked about going into the first round, but they could play either CB or safety for whatever team drafts them. Rowe has the size and Jones was off-the-charts at the combine and his Pro Day. Quinten Rollins played one year of college football, but he was a turnover machine and a good tackler, he could also play safety or CB. Jalen Collins has been projected in the first round by many people, but I believe that he will slip into the middle of the second round because he was inconsistent and didn’t even play a snap in some of LSU’s games this season.
Wide Receivers:
Dorial Green-Beckham
Jaelen Strong
Phillip Dorsett
Nelson Agholor
Devin Funchess
Sammie Coates
The second round would be a great place to grab a big-bodied red zone target. DGB would most likely be considered a top 5 player in he didn’t have his off-the-field issues and if he would have played last season, but he could go anywhere from the 1st round to the 4th or later. Jaelen Strong is another big receiver but he reportedly broke his arm last November, but cleared medical tests this past week. Phillip Dorsett ran a 4.25 40 yard dash at his Pro Day and I believe he could be another Santana Moss type player. Nelson Agholor is another player who has lot of potential but has gotten first round talk the past few weeks. Devin Funchess could be an interesting prospect for the Redskins, he could stay at WR or move to TE in some situations and would be a versatile player for the Redskins. Sammie Coates is a big receiver who also has pretty good speed and could contribute right away.
Dorial Green-Beckham
Jaelen Strong
Phillip Dorsett
Nelson Agholor
Devin Funchess
Sammie Coates
The second round would be a great place to grab a big-bodied red zone target. DGB would most likely be considered a top 5 player in he didn’t have his off-the-field issues and if he would have played last season, but he could go anywhere from the 1st round to the 4th or later. Jaelen Strong is another big receiver but he reportedly broke his arm last November, but cleared medical tests this past week. Phillip Dorsett ran a 4.25 40 yard dash at his Pro Day and I believe he could be another Santana Moss type player. Nelson Agholor is another player who has lot of potential but has gotten first round talk the past few weeks. Devin Funchess could be an interesting prospect for the Redskins, he could stay at WR or move to TE in some situations and would be a versatile player for the Redskins. Sammie Coates is a big receiver who also has pretty good speed and could contribute right away.
Defensive Ends:
Danielle Hunter
Preston Smith
Scot McCloughan could want to get faster and better pass rushing defensive ends, and this could be the place to do it. Danielle Hunter’s stock has been rising lately, as he has the size, athleticism, explosiveness, and also has a lot of potential. Preston Smith is had more production in college than Hunter and plays well vs the run and pass, but isn’t doesn’t show anything too special.
Danielle Hunter
Preston Smith
Scot McCloughan could want to get faster and better pass rushing defensive ends, and this could be the place to do it. Danielle Hunter’s stock has been rising lately, as he has the size, athleticism, explosiveness, and also has a lot of potential. Preston Smith is had more production in college than Hunter and plays well vs the run and pass, but isn’t doesn’t show anything too special.
Defensive/Nose Tackles:
Jordan Phillips
Carl Davis
Michael Bennett
Grady Jarrett
Although the Redskins have Hatcher, Paea, and Knighton at DT/NT; Hatcher is aging and Knighton is on a one year deal. Jordan Phillips is projected late first – early second round and has all the tools but needs to be more consistent. Carl Davis would be a really good fit for the Redskins and would really help in the future. Michael Bennett is a little undersized and that has hurt his draft position lately but could be a good steal in the 2nd round. Grady Jarrett is a force to be reckoned with up the middle and has a lot of potential to become a top defensive lineman.
Jordan Phillips
Carl Davis
Michael Bennett
Grady Jarrett
Although the Redskins have Hatcher, Paea, and Knighton at DT/NT; Hatcher is aging and Knighton is on a one year deal. Jordan Phillips is projected late first – early second round and has all the tools but needs to be more consistent. Carl Davis would be a really good fit for the Redskins and would really help in the future. Michael Bennett is a little undersized and that has hurt his draft position lately but could be a good steal in the 2nd round. Grady Jarrett is a force to be reckoned with up the middle and has a lot of potential to become a top defensive lineman.
Running Backs:
Jay Ajayi
Ameer Abdullah
The Redskins need more depth and a backup running back for Alfred Morris after Roy Helu Jr. left in free agency. They also need a 3rd down back and some who could possibly take over if the team doesn’t re-sign Morris after the 2015 season. Jay Ajayi would be a great option in the second round, he is a powerful runner, but he can also catch very well has a lot of speed/quickness, and could possibly take over for Morris in 2016. Ameer Abdullah is widely compared to Bengals running back Giovani Bernard, who Jay Gruden coached when he was with the Bengals.
Jay Ajayi
Ameer Abdullah
The Redskins need more depth and a backup running back for Alfred Morris after Roy Helu Jr. left in free agency. They also need a 3rd down back and some who could possibly take over if the team doesn’t re-sign Morris after the 2015 season. Jay Ajayi would be a great option in the second round, he is a powerful runner, but he can also catch very well has a lot of speed/quickness, and could possibly take over for Morris in 2016. Ameer Abdullah is widely compared to Bengals running back Giovani Bernard, who Jay Gruden coached when he was with the Bengals.
Tight End:
Maxx Williams
Maxx Williams could be a big discussion if he is available when they pick in the second round. Jordan Reed is injured to often and Paul needs to be more consistent, so the Redskins could look for a new tight end. Williams is the best tight end in this draft, but he has a lot of character concerns after not interviewing with teams well, he came off as cocky, bored, and acted like he was too good for teams interviewing him.
Maxx Williams
Maxx Williams could be a big discussion if he is available when they pick in the second round. Jordan Reed is injured to often and Paul needs to be more consistent, so the Redskins could look for a new tight end. Williams is the best tight end in this draft, but he has a lot of character concerns after not interviewing with teams well, he came off as cocky, bored, and acted like he was too good for teams interviewing him.
My Pick: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
If Redskins Don't Pick OLB in Round 1: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
If Redskins Don't Pick OLB in Round 1: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia