Whether it is a reflection of better player development at the College level or just good scouting, teams have been able to find depth and talent well into the 7th round of the draft. In the past few years, even our Redskins have found starting talent in the later rounds. This years draft may lack elite top-end talent at some positions, but has depth well into the later rounds, making this a great draft for find late-round "tweeners", role players, and developmental talent.
Let's take a look at some prospects that could be on the Redskins radar.
1 - Pick# 21
Most experts feel like the Redskins are likely to go Defense with there 1st round selection, though, McCloughan has stated publicly many times that they do not draft for need and will most likely take the top player on their board. I feel like there will be players there that fit that criteria while also filling a need, so I think it will be a Defensive pick.
A'Shawn Robinson - DT - Alabama - Robinson could be the top player on the Redskins board at pick #21, and if so, is just the kind of player you want when you have a need for a dominating interior lineman. Robinson also has a huge upside, as in he is only 20 years old, despite having the frame and leadership qualities of a seasoned NFL defensive lineman. He could step right in and improve the Redskins run defense and could even prove to be a disruptive force in Coach Barry's 3-4 defense. Robinson is exactly what the Redskins need on the interior of their defensive line. Robinson is my favorite for pick 21.
Eli Apple - DB - Ohio State - Apple is a rangy, tall, aggressive cover corner who uses his size and speed well. Regarded as one of the top DBs in this years draft, Apple was one of the best players on one of the best defenses college football has ever seen (w/potentially 8 guys NFL bound). Apple could win the starting spot, opposite Breeland. Look at what coach Fewell did with undrafted free agent wide receiver last year in Quinton Dunbar. If available at pick 21 (which is looking like a longshot, at this point), he could also be the top of the Redskins draft board.
Andrew Billings - DT - Baylor - Billings may not have the ideal skill-set and frame to be a instant 2-gap run-stuffer in the Redskins defense, he has proved to be quite a disruptive force in college football. Billings is very strong with great burst. Billings is fast for a big guy, running a sub 5 second 40. He could be groomed to be the center piece of the Redskins defensive line. At 20 years old, you have time to coach up and develop Billings, but until then, would be a great chess piece in Coach Barry's DL rotation.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT - Ole Miss - Nkemdiche (Kim-Dee-Chee) has top 10 talent but has some issues off the field as well as some work-ethic questions, but there is not a more talented potential 3-4 DE or DT. If he shows maturity, stays out of trouble and is properly motivated, he has all the skills to become an impact player in the NFL. Off the field mistakes are the only reason he could be available at pick 21 and unless the Redskins are sold on another DL, Nkemdiche may be who they roll the dice on. The Redskins have depth to develop this guy and not overwhelm him with pressure, but even being a reserve player is not easy for a rookie with personal issues.
Both fans and the Redskins front office would love if Myles Jack, Kendall Fuller, or Reggie Ragland were still there at pick 21, but I seriously doubt they will be. The Redskins could opt to trade back a few picks and select Jeremy Cash (SS, Duke) but my guess is that they wait and find him still on the board in the second round.
2 - #53
As I mentioned before, this is a deep draft that will likely yield potential starters well into the later rounds. Any of these following players could find starting roles with the Redskins.
Jeremy Cash - SS - Duke - Cash is maybe the best defensive prospect to ever come out of Duke. Some experts even think he could go in the 1st round (and maybe even to the Redskins there), but I think Vonn Bell will be the first SS taken and, despite his talent, I expect Cash to slide to the late 2nd round, and if so, there is no way "on God's green earth" that McCloughan passes on him. Cash is a big, physical DB. Much like Kyshoen Jarrett, Cash can line up as a Nickle DB or SS, close to the line of scrimage, or drop back in coverage...he does either very well, but excels versus the run. Proven, solid tackler with good speed, range and size. He was highly recruited out of high school by Ohio State, starting as a true freshman, but later transferred to Duke. Cash could prove to to be a day 1 starter for the Redskins, especially in sub-package formations, and give them some much needed insurance in the secondary. I would rush out and buy this guys jersey right away if the Redskins draft him...he is seriously a great fit for our defense. Cash is my favorite for pick 53.
Tyler Boyd - WR - Pitt - Boyd was the most prolific pass catcher in school history at Pitt despite some sketchy play at QB. Boyd is an ideal possession WR. Boyd attacks the ball and has very strong hands. Though Boyd we be part of a crowded and talented WR corp in Washington, Boyd could be an upgrade at #3 WR and could be groomed as a replacement for Garcon in the future. Boyd also has extensive return experience and though he is not an elite return guy, his skills are good enough to compete for snaps on Special Teams, as well, something Washington has focused on since McCloughan took the wheel. It is possible that Boyd slide beyond the 2nd round, and if so, would be an absolute steal in the 3rd round. My money is on him finding a suitor before the end of the 2nd round and it just might be the Redskins.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE - Oklahoma State - Ogbah is raw talent wise but looks the part of an NFL lineman already. Sturdy, thick frame and powerful at the point of attack, Ogbah proved to be quite a disruptive force for Oklahoma State. Ogbah would likely be used all over the Redskins DL in sub packages, playing DE, OLB, and DT. Beyond what can be seen on the field, off the field Ogbah is a known for his work ethic in the gym and loves studying his craft. Despite having a lot to learn about the game, Ogbah has been successful when given snaps and that should translate to the NFL.
Nick Martin - C - Notre Dame - Brother of Cowboys G Zack Marin, Nick Martin is just about as talented as a OL prospect. Arguably the best true Center in the draft, but can slide to Guard with ease, as well. Martin is smart, with great leadership skills and loves the game...three attributes McC values as much as physical talent. Martin could step and fill a gaping hole at Center for the Redskins. Martin will likely be a day one starter, no matter who drafts him...I just hope it is the Redskins.
Xavien Howard - DB - Baylor - The Redskins are expected to draft a DB, and though I suspect they will focus on this later in the draft, if they decide to pop early on a DB, Howard to be a target. Howard is a two-year starter at DB but proved to be a solid performer for Baylor. His limited snaps could mean he still have a lot of room to grow. Coach Fewell could scult Howard into the perfect compliment opposite Breeland. Howard needs to work on footwork, technique, and playing penalty-free, but has all the tools to develop into a staring corner in this league.
One could argue that the Redskins could go with a QB in the second round, if the right one is there. The Redskins would like some kind of insurance at QB and a prospect to groom just in case a long-term agreement isn't met with Kirk Cousins. The McCoy deal also has some wording that makes it conceivable to cut him next year or the following year if the acquisition of a developmental QB is possible. If Paxton Lynch or Jared Goff slides, it will be hard for the Redskins brass to pass, but they will not reach for a QB because I am sure the hope is resigning and continuing to develop Cousins.
3 - #84
McCloughan loves good tough football players, despite what they do in the combine. He has also never been scared to take a player in rehab from big injury, so you may see him target a guy just like that...someone with 1st round talent at a 3rd round price.
Morgan Burns - DB/Return Specialist - Kansas State - Burns may be the best return guy in this years draft. He may also be the fastest guy in the draft (on film, at least) and ran a 4.38 40yd dash at his Pro-Day. His background in Track and Field has served him well, but he has more than just straight-line speed. Burns can be shifty and that helped he become the All Time leading return guy in Kansas State school history. He can make an instant impact in the Redskins return game and compete for 4/5th DB as well. Burns is my favorite for pick 84.
Karl Joseph - SS - West Virginia - Joseph may not be the fastest guy, or the biggest guy, but there is not a tougher secondary prospect in this years draft. Joseph is a hard-hitting safety, solid tackler, and even has decent ball skills, racking up 5 interceptions in the 4 games he played this past year. Joseph could have went 2nd or 3rd round of the 2015 draft but came back to the Mountaineers to play his senior year only to suffer a season ending knee injury. Despite still being in recovery from that injury, Joseph has the kind of character and toughness that all real football guys covet.
Jaylon Smith - OLB - Notre Dame - Smith was the best defensive player in the draft but tore his ACL and MCL in the last game of his college career. Smith is the quintessential hybrid OLB/ILB with all the size, speed, and tackling skills you could want. He was clearly a top 5 pick prior to his injury. Some scouts even still have him being selected in the 1st round, despite likely not being able to play a snap his rookie year. For that reason, I expect he slides but whoever gets him will be essentially getting an extra top 5 pick next year. I could see McCloughan and the Redskins having the depth and patience to draft Smith despite his inability to contribute right away...and I doubt they would be able to resist doing just that if Smith is still on the board by pick 84.
Nick Vigil - ILB - Utah St - Vigil has proven to be a very productive ILB, playing smart football, taking good lines, and making solid tackles. This guy just made play after play for Utah State, and the numbers support just that (5th in the nation in Tackles, with 140 - 12.5 for a loss). Vigil gets to the ball fast and seldom misses on an opportunity. He will need to put on a few pounds of muscle and get stronger at the NFL level, but could be a good special teams contributor right away. If the Redskins are still looking to shore up the middle of that LB corp in the 3rd round, Vigil might be their target.
Landon Turner - OG - North Carolina - The Redskins rushing game took a step back last year and most of the blame fell on the interior of the offensive line, especially at LG. Turner is a true road-grader. Turner is strong, with thick foundation and lower body. Turner absolutely dominated most of the match-ups he faced at North Carolina and clearly stands out on film as their best lineman. Tuner destroyed defenses lineman in the run game with intense power. He may struggle against quicker, shifty pass-rushers, he is a dominating run blocker and that, alone, could give him the edge to compete for a starting role with the Redskins, especially if they are ready to move on from Lauvao.
The Redskins will not directly reach for need, but they are not going to just draft the top of the board with every pick, but these first three rounds, they might. After the success of last years draft, I can say that I truly trust our team leadership to find a little piece of our future every year. This years draft has plenty of talent, but the trick is finding the "right talent" for our team to develop. After losing to clear team leaders this off-season, leadership will likely be a deciding factor the hierarchy of the Redskins draft board.
My Draft Predictions:
1st Round (pick #21) - A'Shawn Robinson, DT - Alabama
2nd Round (pick #53) - Jeremy Cash, SS/DB - Duke
3rd Round (pick #84) - Morgan Burns DB/Return Specialist - Kansas State
Please stay tuned for Part 2 - Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7
Hail to the Redskins!
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