Sunday, April 15, 2018

Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 5 (Pick 142)

The Redskins keep winning in the short term with the Su'a Cravens deal.  The Redskins original 5th round pick was number 149, but Cravens moved the Redskins up all the way to 142 in order to draft his potential replacement.  Maybe.

Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football,  OurladsDrafttek, 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 (142nd Overall Selection):  Godwin Igwebuike    S    (Northwestern)
Height: 6'0"   Weight: 205 lbs     Reps: 19   40 yd: 4.44    Cone Drill: 6.56   20yrd Shuttle: 4.12

Admittedly, this would be an ideal scenario for the Redskins to be able to draft Godwin Igwebuike (ig-weh-BYU-kay) at this pick.  It is possible he goes earlier than this due to his impressive combine performance.  But if he is there, and the Redskins have not already drafted a safety, they would be crazy to pass on a player of his caliber.  Igwebuike was a three year starter at Northwestern where he garnered Second Team All-Big 10 honors as a junior and senior, and he was voted team captain his senior year.  Scouts highlight his high intelligence level and his physical demeanor that made him a successful run stuffer as evidenced by his combined 7 TFL's his junior and senior season from the safety position.  There are concerns that he may be limited to strong safety due to his deficiencies in man coverage, his lack of ability to anticipate and read routes in zone coverage, and the overall stiffness with which he plays in covering receivers.  His combine numbers, though, leave room for speculation that Igwebuike's down sides can be remedied with coaching.  His 40 time was fifth among safeties at the combine and his Cone Drill was tied for first.  These physical skills, coupled with Igwebuike's positive production on special teams and his familial relationship to Christian Okoye, should make him an ideal candidate for the Redskins to draft and develop over the next few seasons.

The Redskins need depth at safety after trading Su'a Cravens, and while Igwebuike may not be a starter that will make an immediate impact, he has the tools that could give the Redskins some options in case anything happens.  You know.  In case anyone gets injured.  In case Montae Nicholson's injury status remain precarious.  In case DJ Swearinger's rants become too out of hand this season.  In case Deshazor Everett can't cut the mustard.  In case we have to rely on some guy named Fish to fill in at safety.  Igwebuike could be there waiting to help in case those things happen, and in the mean time he could be a valuable addition to special teams while honing his skills as a cover safety.  He definitely has the physical skills to do so, and with his already polished run support capabilities the Redskins should look to take Igwebuike if he is still on the board at 142.

No comments:

Post a Comment