The Redskins actually got something for Su'a Cravens. We'll see if trading Cravens was a bad idea, but in the short term, and in the spirit of sunk costs, this 5th round pick is a boon that could turn into a solid player.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 5 (163rd Overall Selection): Darius Phillips CB (Western Michigan)
Height: 5'10" Weight: 190 lbs Reps: 9 40 yd: 4.54 20yrd Shuttle: 4.18
The Redskins defensive worries cannot all be remedied by beefing up the front seven. There needs to be added talent in the secondary in order to defend the pass, and Darius Phillips out of Western Michigan fits the bill perfectly. A disciple of PJ Fleck's "Row the Boat" philosophy, Phillips was a big in state signing for the Broncos in 2014 as a wide receiver/kick returner. Phillips has modest success as a freshman wide out, but he was moved to cornerback in 2015 where he was an All-MAC Conference Player the last three years. Now, it is easy when you play against a bunch of rejects in the MAC, but in those three years Phillips racked up 35 PD's, 12 INT's, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks, 5 defensive TD's, and 6 return TD's (5 KR, 1 PR). Phillips may have played against perceived inferior competition, but he sure beat their brains in with a talent level that should pique the Redskins interest. Scouts note that he has a quick backpedal and fluid turn and sprint skills. They also note his impeccable ball hawking skills, his instinctive ability to diagnose routes, his ability to play both man and zone, and his experience as a returner. The big knock on Phillips is that he is very soft against the run where he can be exploited if he is to play the slot in the NFL. Unfortunately, most scouts project that he needs to play in the slot in order to maximize his strengths as a man corner. He is also undersized at 5'10", and being undersized and soft is not a good combination, but his skills as a cover corner are what the Redskins need.
This pick may seem redundant since the Redskins drafted Fabian Moreau in the third round last year. Moreau was hurt most of last year, though, and with the departure of Kendall Fuller the Redskins need a reliable cover corner in the slot. Maybe that is Moreau. Maybe that is another converted receiver in Quinton Dunbar, but it is always good to have an insurance policy considering the only other corner on the roster is Josh Holsey. Phillips seems to have the talent in coverage that could replace Fuller, and his abilities as a returner would make him more versatile on this roster. His 4.5 speed leaves something to be desired, but at his Pro-Day he ran a 4.40. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but that is a good middle to have and think if the Redskins could finally have a true punt returner that allows Jamison Crowder to focus on catching passes. Phillips's deficiencies in run support are a red flag for a team that was one of the worst against the run, but Phillips could be used sparingly in obvious passing situations in order to develop him at a more modest pace. There are other pressing needs at higher picks, but cornerback depth is something the Redskins cannot neglect with the injury status of Fabian Moreau. Phillips would be a great addition if he can be acquired with this pick.
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