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, 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 (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.
Showing posts with label NFL Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL Draft. Show all posts
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Friday, April 13, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 5 (Pick 163)
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.
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.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 7 (Pick 231)
In a 3-4 Defense you can never have too many linebackers, and this one may be hard to pass on if he is there at 231.
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 7 (231st Overall Selection): Keishawn Bierria LB (Washington)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs 40 yd: 4.79 Bench Press: 16 reps Vert: 30.5
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 7 (231st Overall Selection): Keishawn Bierria LB (Washington)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs 40 yd: 4.79 Bench Press: 16 reps Vert: 30.5
Not the flashiest pick, but someone who can get the job done. Keishawn Bierria was actually one of the mid to lower performing linebackers at the combine, but his skill set lies outside of pure athleticism. Bierria is noted as having a high football IQ after playing in a majority of every season since 2014 at Washington. Scouts note his ability to diagnose plays and see things before they happen. He is good at reading misdirection, and he possesses good closing speed and aggressiveness at the point of attack that allowed him to be around the ball more often than naught (5 fumble recoveries in 2016 and 7 for his career). The most important feature that the Redskins should covet this late in the draft is his work ethic and his high leadership qualities. Bierria was only the fifth player in 110 years to win Washington's Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award twice. The trade off is that Bierria is low on the athletic spectrum. Scouts note that he can be beat on the edge by pure speed, and that he is more reactive than aggressive. This gives him a small margin for error that will get even smaller at the NFL level, and it makes it so that he may need to be moved inside to play more to his skill set. Despite these athletic shortcomings, the Redskins would be crazy to pass on Bierria at this pick.
You either need to draft for skill or intangibles, and Bierria is the latter. A shot of work ethic may be what the inside linebacking corps of this team needs considering what has transpired over the past year. Zach Brown needed a little more time to think about coming back than Redskins fans would have liked, and lets not forget that Mason Foster's little rant after he was shut down for the season back in October made people think he did not want to come back here. With these two players being the starters this season it may be beneficial for the Redskins to choose high character over high skill set at this pick. Bierria brings much more than character, though, and the Redskins should take him as someone who can progress from a college playmaker to an NFL playmaker.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 7 (Pick 241)
It is that time of year again. The time where the NFL reminds all other sports why it does not matter how many CTE lawsuits come at them, their Draft will outdo any other Spring sports programming. The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and for the Redskins fan base this year's Draft will be quite a conundrum. The first 12 picks in this Draft will dictate the Redskins strategy, but it is insane how many iterations there are of those first 12 picks that continue to keep all of HTTR nation guessing. Will Minkah Fitzpatrick fall to 13? Derwin James or Vita Vea? Is Derrius Guice worth the 13th overall pick? Should we trade back to get an RB later in the first round? Do we try to recover the 3rd round pick we lost in the Alex Smith trade? Whatever the answers, it will be a crazy Draft and I attempt to guess who the Redskins will select. Remember that I assume there are no trades and the Redskins keep all of their picks. Maybe you should take note because last year was very, very good to me. I called the Josh Harvey-Clemons selection, albeit one round early. I said they would go D-Line in the first round. I said they would choose an RB in the fourth round and not the second, and I said they would go with a center late in the draft. Some would call that luck, I would call it......luck, but here's hoping this year's choices are just as good.
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. Without further ado lets begin the 2018 Redskins Draft with the gift that keeps on giving....Derrick Carrier. Earlier this year, the Redskins traded Derrick Carrier to the Rams for a 7th Round pick that turned into the 241st overall selection and hopefully into this gem out of Army.
Round 7 (241st Overall Selection): Brett Toth OT (Army)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 291 lbs 40 yd: 5.14 Bench Press: 16 reps 20 yrd Shuttle: 4.75
If you haven't noticed, the Redskins two starting tackles will not be at OTA's due to injury. Trent Williams and Morgan Moses still need time to heal, and in the meanwhile the Redskins could draft an insurance policy with this pick. Brett Toth is an athletic tackle that fits well into a zone running scheme. He looks to move towards the second level, and he has the agility to redirect blocks when they try to come off the edge. Scouts note his toughness at the point of attack, and they note that he shows good hustle in space. His 20 yard shuttle time is from his pro day, but that time would have been first by 0.2 seconds at the combine. There are major concerns with his size and lack of pass protection experience due to Army's offensive scheme, but who better to mentor him than Bill Callahan? Toth is the perfect 7th Round project pick that could turn into a much needed short term backup for the Redskins.
Trent Williams is not getting any younger, and the only legitimate replacement we have for him is Ty Nsekhe. Toth will not be ready to replace either of them this year, but he can learn from the best and develop his skills and size to hopefully be ready by next season. Toth has the intangibles needed to be successful in Jay Gruden's system, and he will have the time in Washington to learn at a more steady pace. The Redskins desperately need more bodies at the tackle position, and Toth gives some sense of competition to guys like TJ Clemmings and John Kling. He may not be ready this year, but they do not need him to be. They just need a return on the investment in 2-3 years, and Toth's skill set may turn out to be a steal for a 7th Round pick.
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. Without further ado lets begin the 2018 Redskins Draft with the gift that keeps on giving....Derrick Carrier. Earlier this year, the Redskins traded Derrick Carrier to the Rams for a 7th Round pick that turned into the 241st overall selection and hopefully into this gem out of Army.
Round 7 (241st Overall Selection): Brett Toth OT (Army)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 291 lbs 40 yd: 5.14 Bench Press: 16 reps 20 yrd Shuttle: 4.75
If you haven't noticed, the Redskins two starting tackles will not be at OTA's due to injury. Trent Williams and Morgan Moses still need time to heal, and in the meanwhile the Redskins could draft an insurance policy with this pick. Brett Toth is an athletic tackle that fits well into a zone running scheme. He looks to move towards the second level, and he has the agility to redirect blocks when they try to come off the edge. Scouts note his toughness at the point of attack, and they note that he shows good hustle in space. His 20 yard shuttle time is from his pro day, but that time would have been first by 0.2 seconds at the combine. There are major concerns with his size and lack of pass protection experience due to Army's offensive scheme, but who better to mentor him than Bill Callahan? Toth is the perfect 7th Round project pick that could turn into a much needed short term backup for the Redskins.
Trent Williams is not getting any younger, and the only legitimate replacement we have for him is Ty Nsekhe. Toth will not be ready to replace either of them this year, but he can learn from the best and develop his skills and size to hopefully be ready by next season. Toth has the intangibles needed to be successful in Jay Gruden's system, and he will have the time in Washington to learn at a more steady pace. The Redskins desperately need more bodies at the tackle position, and Toth gives some sense of competition to guys like TJ Clemmings and John Kling. He may not be ready this year, but they do not need him to be. They just need a return on the investment in 2-3 years, and Toth's skill set may turn out to be a steal for a 7th Round pick.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Alex Smith Is Not Good At Anything Except for Winning
Alex Smith's press conference this Thursday finally put the charade of pretending there was a possibility of the trade not going through to rest. Alex Smith is the quarterback for the Washington Redskins for at least the near future. His introduction by Doug Williams, however, had some portends that every Redskins fan should have taken as a sign that there is still a lot to be done in this offseason to make sure there is no regret about letting Kirk Cousins walk out the door. Williams alluded to the fact that there are still holes on this roster that need to be addressed in order to make the team more complete. What he meant was that the holes needed to be filled in order to make Alex Smith a winner here in Washington. It may be hard for Redskins fans to accept, but Alex Smith is statistically inferior to Cousins over the last three seasons in almost all major categories except for one. And it is the one that has the most factors attached to its execution. Winning.
Alex Smith has been able to win 31 regular season games over the last three seasons. His regular season win total in that time span is only eclipsed by Cam Newton and Tom Brady. A look at his total stats over that time frame, however, should make Redskins fans wonder how he achieved that feat. Alex Smith has 46 regular season starts over the last three seasons, and when comparing his numbers to the 20 other quarterbacks with 40 or more starts (plus Aaron Rodgers who has 39 starts over the last three seasons) his numbers are fairly pedestrian if not concerning. Alex Smith has thrown for only 11,030 yards over the last three seasons which ranks him 13th out of this group. He has only thrown 61 TD's over the last three seasons. The only quarterbacks lower than Smith in that area are Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, and Tyrod Taylor. Looking at that stat in another light would be to compare Alex Smith's 61 TD's to those quarterbacks who have had a comparable amount of attempts. Smith has 1464 attempts over the last three seasons. The other quarterbacks who have between 1400-1499 attempts are Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Andy Dalton. Rodgers and Dalton both have less attempts (1420 and 1445) and more touchdowns (87 and 68) than Alex Smith, and Cam Newton has thrown 76 touchdowns on only 33 more attempts. What is even more staggering is that all three of these quarterbacks have less total completions than Alex Smith, with Newton having 119 less completed passes than Smith over the last three seasons. Even if you factor in Smith's 8 rushing touchdowns, he ranks with Flacco, Mariota, and Taylor as the only quarterbacks out of this group who have accounted for less than 70 touchdowns over the last three seasons. So how is Alex Smith the third winningest quarterback since 2015? The answer would be in his supporting cast.
When Doug Williams stated that the current holes on the Redskins roster need to be filled, he was subconsciously indicting Alex Smith's record as a winner in the NFL. Alex Smith has had the luxury of having a Top 10 rushing offense in yards per game twice over the last three seasons in Kansas City, and he has had a Top 10 scoring defense (in points per game allowed) twice as well over that same time frame. To give perspective on that stat, Tom Brady is the only other quarterback with 40 or more starts who has had teams be Top 10 in both those areas over multiple seasons since 2015. Doug Williams is, or should be, keenly aware of this fact considering that the Redskins never gave Kirk Cousins either of those luxuries over his three years as a starter on this team. In fact, Kansas City's worst performances in these categories since 2015 (109.3 rushing ypg in 2016, and 21.2 ppg allowed in 2017) were better than any season the Redskins have in those categories over the same time frame. This means that Alex Smith has not been relied upon to be the primary provider of wins over the last three seasons in Kansas City, and he is walking into a situation that is the exact opposite. Kirk Cousins had to be the main guy the Redskins turned to in order win games over the last three seasons, especially last season where his offensive line single-handedly kept the sports medicine trade open in DC, his most talented receiving target played in only 6 games, and his defense went through countless iterations due to injury. The Redskins roster is much worse than the one Alex Smith left in Kansas City and Doug Williams knows it. Williams also knows, or should know, that the only way Alex Smith has been successful is when the supporting cast around him has been successful as well, which makes this a pivotal offseason for the tenure of all who are invested in the Redskins success.
The Redskins do not have Kareem Hunt's productivity, or Tyreek Hill's speed, or Travis Kelce's durability, or Justin Houston's sack production, or Eric Berry's coverage ability at safety. Most people in the know have stated that the Redskins current personnel does not have the talent the Chiefs had when Alex Smith was their quarterback, and it has only gotten worse for the Redskins so far in free agency. It will be up to Doug Williams to remedy the situation by putting the necessary pieces in place to make sure that Alex Smith has the necessary tools to be successful this season. It will be up to Jay Gruden to make sure that Alex Smith can use those tools to keep the Redskins win total comparable to what it was under Kirk Cousins. Alex Smith has proven that he can be a winner with the right supporting cast, and given that his best statistical season of his 13 year career came last year shows that he may be able to take on the challenges that the Redskins roster poses. But this season will be a test of front office acumen as mush as it will be about quarterback play. Doug Williams will need to acquire the right pieces, and Jay Gruden will need to position them so that Alex Smith can do the only thing he has been good at over the last five years of his career. Winning.
Alex Smith has been able to win 31 regular season games over the last three seasons. His regular season win total in that time span is only eclipsed by Cam Newton and Tom Brady. A look at his total stats over that time frame, however, should make Redskins fans wonder how he achieved that feat. Alex Smith has 46 regular season starts over the last three seasons, and when comparing his numbers to the 20 other quarterbacks with 40 or more starts (plus Aaron Rodgers who has 39 starts over the last three seasons) his numbers are fairly pedestrian if not concerning. Alex Smith has thrown for only 11,030 yards over the last three seasons which ranks him 13th out of this group. He has only thrown 61 TD's over the last three seasons. The only quarterbacks lower than Smith in that area are Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, and Tyrod Taylor. Looking at that stat in another light would be to compare Alex Smith's 61 TD's to those quarterbacks who have had a comparable amount of attempts. Smith has 1464 attempts over the last three seasons. The other quarterbacks who have between 1400-1499 attempts are Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Andy Dalton. Rodgers and Dalton both have less attempts (1420 and 1445) and more touchdowns (87 and 68) than Alex Smith, and Cam Newton has thrown 76 touchdowns on only 33 more attempts. What is even more staggering is that all three of these quarterbacks have less total completions than Alex Smith, with Newton having 119 less completed passes than Smith over the last three seasons. Even if you factor in Smith's 8 rushing touchdowns, he ranks with Flacco, Mariota, and Taylor as the only quarterbacks out of this group who have accounted for less than 70 touchdowns over the last three seasons. So how is Alex Smith the third winningest quarterback since 2015? The answer would be in his supporting cast.
When Doug Williams stated that the current holes on the Redskins roster need to be filled, he was subconsciously indicting Alex Smith's record as a winner in the NFL. Alex Smith has had the luxury of having a Top 10 rushing offense in yards per game twice over the last three seasons in Kansas City, and he has had a Top 10 scoring defense (in points per game allowed) twice as well over that same time frame. To give perspective on that stat, Tom Brady is the only other quarterback with 40 or more starts who has had teams be Top 10 in both those areas over multiple seasons since 2015. Doug Williams is, or should be, keenly aware of this fact considering that the Redskins never gave Kirk Cousins either of those luxuries over his three years as a starter on this team. In fact, Kansas City's worst performances in these categories since 2015 (109.3 rushing ypg in 2016, and 21.2 ppg allowed in 2017) were better than any season the Redskins have in those categories over the same time frame. This means that Alex Smith has not been relied upon to be the primary provider of wins over the last three seasons in Kansas City, and he is walking into a situation that is the exact opposite. Kirk Cousins had to be the main guy the Redskins turned to in order win games over the last three seasons, especially last season where his offensive line single-handedly kept the sports medicine trade open in DC, his most talented receiving target played in only 6 games, and his defense went through countless iterations due to injury. The Redskins roster is much worse than the one Alex Smith left in Kansas City and Doug Williams knows it. Williams also knows, or should know, that the only way Alex Smith has been successful is when the supporting cast around him has been successful as well, which makes this a pivotal offseason for the tenure of all who are invested in the Redskins success.
The Redskins do not have Kareem Hunt's productivity, or Tyreek Hill's speed, or Travis Kelce's durability, or Justin Houston's sack production, or Eric Berry's coverage ability at safety. Most people in the know have stated that the Redskins current personnel does not have the talent the Chiefs had when Alex Smith was their quarterback, and it has only gotten worse for the Redskins so far in free agency. It will be up to Doug Williams to remedy the situation by putting the necessary pieces in place to make sure that Alex Smith has the necessary tools to be successful this season. It will be up to Jay Gruden to make sure that Alex Smith can use those tools to keep the Redskins win total comparable to what it was under Kirk Cousins. Alex Smith has proven that he can be a winner with the right supporting cast, and given that his best statistical season of his 13 year career came last year shows that he may be able to take on the challenges that the Redskins roster poses. But this season will be a test of front office acumen as mush as it will be about quarterback play. Doug Williams will need to acquire the right pieces, and Jay Gruden will need to position them so that Alex Smith can do the only thing he has been good at over the last five years of his career. Winning.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Redskins Draft Special Round 1 (Pick 17)
Everyone except for Myles Garrett has been linked to the Redskins at the 17th pick. It is hard to determine what the Redskins will do, and the smart money is that they may trade down to acquire more picks for trade in the later rounds. I think the Redskins trade up a lot in this draft to get players they want for the simple fact that it may be hard to carry 10 new players on their roster. I do think that they need an elite pass rushing DE more than anything, and if they are to stay at 17 that would be Derek Barnett.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 1 (17th Overall Selection): Derek Barnett DE (Tennessee)
Height: 6'3" Weight: 259 lbs 40 yd: 4.88 3 Cone Drill: 6.96 sec
Who would not want an elite level SEC pass rusher? Derek Barnett is the cream of the crop when it comes to pass rushing ability and stat production. Barnett was a three year starter at Tennessee, the first defensive lineman ever to start as a true freshman for the Vols, where he accumulated 32 sacks over his three years. Barnett was named First Team All-American by numerous outlets in 2016, and his stat production came against some of the SEC's best. Barnett is a violent pass rusher who uses superior hand fighting technique in unison with good footwork to rush the passer. While his speed and athleticism are question marks for some, his 6.96 cone drill time was 5th at the combine for defensive linemen and only .01 seconds behind Solomon Thomas. Barnett shows this quickness in his ability to get around lineman and close in on the quarterback in the pocket. Barnett is a play maker who is not content with just setting the edge. He uses great moves to get around the tackles and finishes his sacks. Barnett also shows great spatial awareness in batting passes, defending screens, covering passes in the flat. Barnett is described as a quiet player who lets his high level of hustle and intensity do his talking, and someone the coaches described as the heart and soul of the Volunteer defense.
Barnett's limitations come with his athletic acumen. Scouts worry about his inferior athleticism compared to other DE's in this class, and that he relies too much on timing the snap to make up for his lack of burst off of the line. That timing has caused him to be on the wrong end of offsides penalties. Barnett also has trouble changing direction once he gets going down field, and scouts note that he will have trouble with quarterbacks who elude the pocket. There are also questions about his overall footwork, and his ability to sustain pressure when he does not win the initial confrontation with his hands. Scouts also note that he needs to diversify his pass rush techniques and not rely solely on beating tackles of the edge with dip moves and hand fighting. Finally, Barnett comes from a 4-3 scheme and may have trouble adapting to the 3-4. Whatever. The Redskins need a guy like this on the line.
Barnett's highlights are a thing of beauty. He wins one-on-one battles at the line and can put major pressure on the quarterback. Barnett's style maybe reminiscent of Brian Orakpo's straight line approach, but remember that that move worked for a few years. The Redskins could develop his technique and possibly put muscle on him to be able to handle NFL level tackles, but those are things that can be easily done. You cannot teach someone to do what Barnett does at the point of attack to win against lineman, and his dedicated level of play could prove to be infectious. He would also provide yet another option at pass rusher that would give the Redskins front seven a scarier look in passing situations. The Redskins have relatively good outside pass rushers at the linebacker position, but they need people at the line who can strike the same fear into opposing offenses. Barentt would do that the moment he puts on a Burgundy and Gold uniform, and if the is there at 17 (or wherever the Redskins end up in the first round) without any better alternative at D-line (i.e. Solomon Thomas) the Redskins would be fools to not pick him.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 1 (17th Overall Selection): Derek Barnett DE (Tennessee)
Height: 6'3" Weight: 259 lbs 40 yd: 4.88 3 Cone Drill: 6.96 sec
Who would not want an elite level SEC pass rusher? Derek Barnett is the cream of the crop when it comes to pass rushing ability and stat production. Barnett was a three year starter at Tennessee, the first defensive lineman ever to start as a true freshman for the Vols, where he accumulated 32 sacks over his three years. Barnett was named First Team All-American by numerous outlets in 2016, and his stat production came against some of the SEC's best. Barnett is a violent pass rusher who uses superior hand fighting technique in unison with good footwork to rush the passer. While his speed and athleticism are question marks for some, his 6.96 cone drill time was 5th at the combine for defensive linemen and only .01 seconds behind Solomon Thomas. Barnett shows this quickness in his ability to get around lineman and close in on the quarterback in the pocket. Barnett is a play maker who is not content with just setting the edge. He uses great moves to get around the tackles and finishes his sacks. Barnett also shows great spatial awareness in batting passes, defending screens, covering passes in the flat. Barnett is described as a quiet player who lets his high level of hustle and intensity do his talking, and someone the coaches described as the heart and soul of the Volunteer defense.
Barnett's highlights are a thing of beauty. He wins one-on-one battles at the line and can put major pressure on the quarterback. Barnett's style maybe reminiscent of Brian Orakpo's straight line approach, but remember that that move worked for a few years. The Redskins could develop his technique and possibly put muscle on him to be able to handle NFL level tackles, but those are things that can be easily done. You cannot teach someone to do what Barnett does at the point of attack to win against lineman, and his dedicated level of play could prove to be infectious. He would also provide yet another option at pass rusher that would give the Redskins front seven a scarier look in passing situations. The Redskins have relatively good outside pass rushers at the linebacker position, but they need people at the line who can strike the same fear into opposing offenses. Barentt would do that the moment he puts on a Burgundy and Gold uniform, and if the is there at 17 (or wherever the Redskins end up in the first round) without any better alternative at D-line (i.e. Solomon Thomas) the Redskins would be fools to not pick him.
Redskins Draft Special Round 2 (Pick 49)
Another pick where the Redskins could do a lot of things. This one could be a reach, and yes I propose that we take two safeties in this draft, but what would a Redskins draft be without a little redundancy.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 2 (49th Overall Selection): Marcus Williams S (Utah)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 202 lbs 40 yd: 4.56 Vert: 43.5"
Everyone seems to be falling in love with Obi Melifonwu from UConn, and for good reason. He is an athletic freak who wowed people at the combine, and whose body type maybe more suited for the NFL than Marcus Williams. But the Redskins have plenty of thumpers at safety. What they need is someone who can play center field and actually cover a lot of ground on deep pass plays. Williams fits that mold perfectly. Williams is a safety with 4.5 speed and whose quickness drills at the combine were comparable to Budda Baker, not to mention that he had the second highest vertical behind Melifonwu. Williams, though, is not just a workout warrior. He forced 18 turnovers the past three seasons for the Utes including 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Scouts note his impeccable ability to make plays on the ball from deep positions, and he possesses the instincts and timing necessary to track deep balls and break up pass plays. He also has good instincts in the run game that allow him to be first to the ball, and he is avid in trying to strip the ball from the ball carrier. Williams is characterized as a true center field type safety who has the speed and quickness to cover a lot of ground in the open field in order to defend the pass, and he is also not afraid to step up and play the run. The Utah coaches attribute Williams's honed instincts to his voracious appetite for film study, and they have called him one of the most committed people on the Utah team. With all of these positives, there are some worrisome negatives that Williams has.
Williams missed two games in 2016 with a sprained knee, and while the injury appeared to be nothing major it could be indicative of a larger problem for Williams in the NFL. His smaller frame and wrap up tackling style may leave him more prone to injury, and he may not have the same type of success with creating fumbles as he did at Utah. Bigger running backs have been able to carry him for extra yardage, and even slip his tackles due to Williams's lack of pop on his hits. Williams also has been known to read the quarterbacks too carefully, and he can fall for misdirection and pump fakes. Despite these shortcomings, which can be fixed at the next level, Williams is the safety the Redskins should go with in the higher rounds.
The Redskins need someone to police the deep routes that they get killed on time and again, and Williams is that type of guy. His 10 INT's over the past two seasons against PAC-12 competition should be all the Redskins need to know in drafting a player like this. His size could be a turnoff, but just like Tarell Basham that can be fixed through proper training and conditioning. It is also hard to deny Williams's instincts and work ethic that could increase the level of commitment from everyone in the locker room. Williams would not necessarily be a physical enforcer, but he was a guy that PAC-12 quarterbacks had to think twice about challenging due to his elite level of play. The Redskins have not had someone like that at safety for a long time, and when paired with Cravens or Swearinger it could allow the Redskins to play around with interesting coverage packages. The Redskins need a sure fire play maker in the back of the defense, and for my money it should be Marcus Williams.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 2 (49th Overall Selection): Marcus Williams S (Utah)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 202 lbs 40 yd: 4.56 Vert: 43.5"
Williams missed two games in 2016 with a sprained knee, and while the injury appeared to be nothing major it could be indicative of a larger problem for Williams in the NFL. His smaller frame and wrap up tackling style may leave him more prone to injury, and he may not have the same type of success with creating fumbles as he did at Utah. Bigger running backs have been able to carry him for extra yardage, and even slip his tackles due to Williams's lack of pop on his hits. Williams also has been known to read the quarterbacks too carefully, and he can fall for misdirection and pump fakes. Despite these shortcomings, which can be fixed at the next level, Williams is the safety the Redskins should go with in the higher rounds.
The Redskins need someone to police the deep routes that they get killed on time and again, and Williams is that type of guy. His 10 INT's over the past two seasons against PAC-12 competition should be all the Redskins need to know in drafting a player like this. His size could be a turnoff, but just like Tarell Basham that can be fixed through proper training and conditioning. It is also hard to deny Williams's instincts and work ethic that could increase the level of commitment from everyone in the locker room. Williams would not necessarily be a physical enforcer, but he was a guy that PAC-12 quarterbacks had to think twice about challenging due to his elite level of play. The Redskins have not had someone like that at safety for a long time, and when paired with Cravens or Swearinger it could allow the Redskins to play around with interesting coverage packages. The Redskins need a sure fire play maker in the back of the defense, and for my money it should be Marcus Williams.
Redskins Draft Special Round 3 (Pick 81)
This could be a pick the Redskins package into a Draft Day trade. There is a lot of talent around this part of the Draft, and there are a lot of directions the Redskins could go if they decide to stay at 81. Here is someone who could be an intriguing project for the Redskins to get in the 3rd round.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 3 (81st Overall Selection): Tarell Basham DE (Ohio)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 269 lbs 40 yd: 4.70 Vert: 31.5"
Tarell Basham is a prototypical NFL Defensive End that started all four years for Ohio and recorded a school record 29 sacks over that time. His best season came in 2016 where he had 16 TFL and 11.5 sacks en route to being named The 2016 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Scouts note that Basham is quick in short bursts, which allows him to close on running backs and scrambling quarterbacks. Basham also has long arms and a high motor that he uses to never give up on a play, and he has good spatial awareness that allows him to avoid cut blocks and even drop into coverage at times. The Ohio coaches also raved about his infectious personality and work ethic that allowed him to evolve as a football player. Basham does not come without limitations, most notably his surprising 15 reps on the bench at the combine. Being overpowered by strength at the NFL level is a major concern, and there are questions about his stats being a product of the level of competition Basham faced in the MAC. Basham still has room to grow in the area of diversifying his pass rushing skills, and there is uncertainty as to whether he can enhance his play style in order to beat NFL level lineman. As the saying goes, though, you can't teach speed/quickness, and the Redskins could get someone they could develop into a solid NFL pass rusher.
The Redskins need edge rushers, and they could get a guy with that type of speed and quickness in Basham. The depth along the defensive line needs to be bolstered, and Basham could inject youth, work ethic, and talent into that group. The Redskins need to give teams other people to worry about pressuring the quarterback other than Ryan Kerrigan, and Basham's college stats indicate that he could be that guy. While his strength and rawness may give teams pause, his speed, quickness, and instincts should prompt the Redskins strength coaches to develop a plan to get him game ready by September. Basham could be the guy who backs up Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee while learning the facets of the NFL game. The Redskins need help in their defensive front, and while some scouts say that Basham could fall to the lower rounds, the Redskins may not want to take that chance.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 3 (81st Overall Selection): Tarell Basham DE (Ohio)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 269 lbs 40 yd: 4.70 Vert: 31.5"
The Redskins need edge rushers, and they could get a guy with that type of speed and quickness in Basham. The depth along the defensive line needs to be bolstered, and Basham could inject youth, work ethic, and talent into that group. The Redskins need to give teams other people to worry about pressuring the quarterback other than Ryan Kerrigan, and Basham's college stats indicate that he could be that guy. While his strength and rawness may give teams pause, his speed, quickness, and instincts should prompt the Redskins strength coaches to develop a plan to get him game ready by September. Basham could be the guy who backs up Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee while learning the facets of the NFL game. The Redskins need help in their defensive front, and while some scouts say that Basham could fall to the lower rounds, the Redskins may not want to take that chance.
Redskins Draft Special Round 4 (Pick 114)
The Redskins traded their 5th round pick last year (158th overall) to the Jets for a 4th round this year, which turns out to be the 114th overall selection. The Jets took OT Brandon Shell out of South Carolina with that pick, and hopefully the Redskins can out do them by choosing a better SEC offensive lineman.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 4 (114th Overall Selection): Will Holden OT (Vanderbilt)
Height: 6'7" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yd: 5.47 Broad Jump: 111.0"
The Redskins could use depth at the tackle position, and Will Holden may be able to fill the role as Morgan Moses's understudy. Holden is a redshirt senior out of Vanderbilt who has played all over the offensive line, but made a home as the Commodores resident do-it-all tackle. He started 10 of 12 games at right tackle in 2014, but was moved to left tackle the next season due to injuries along the offensive line. All Holden did there was make 37 consecutive starts for Vanderbilt from 2015-2016 and he was named Second Team All-SEC as a left tackle in 2016. Holden is noted as being a very good run blocker who has the quickness and strength to move the defenders off the line in the run game. He has good instincts when moving to the second level on run plays, and is fundamentally sound enough to compensate for some athletic shortcomings. The most notable of those shortcomings is Holden's struggle with speed rushers off the edge. Holden has been beaten by players with enough quickness and speed to get around the edge, and Holden also tends to struggle shutting down stunts at the line. Despite those shortcomings the Redskins would be wise to give Holden a look if he is here at the 114th pick.
While the Redskins are high on Ty Nsekhe he cannot be everywhere at once. As Morgan Moses continues to age, and if Trent Williams continues to smoke pot, the Redskins may need another option at tackle that they can plug in. Holden brings experience at both tackle spots to the Redskins offensive line, but more than likely the right side is more suitable to his skill set at the NFL level. It would be another case of finding someone who can provide depth at first and maybe develop into a starter. If the Redskins are looking to take a running back anywhere in this draft it would behoove them to start adding depth to the offensive line as well. Even if they don't take a running back, the running game last year was sporadic at best and Holden's durability and skill set play right into bolstering the offensive line's ability to sustain changes due to injury or suspension. Holden's disciplined nature would also bring good intangibles to the team as well, so the Redskins would be wise to give Holden a look in the 4th round.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 4 (114th Overall Selection): Will Holden OT (Vanderbilt)
Height: 6'7" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yd: 5.47 Broad Jump: 111.0"
The Redskins could use depth at the tackle position, and Will Holden may be able to fill the role as Morgan Moses's understudy. Holden is a redshirt senior out of Vanderbilt who has played all over the offensive line, but made a home as the Commodores resident do-it-all tackle. He started 10 of 12 games at right tackle in 2014, but was moved to left tackle the next season due to injuries along the offensive line. All Holden did there was make 37 consecutive starts for Vanderbilt from 2015-2016 and he was named Second Team All-SEC as a left tackle in 2016. Holden is noted as being a very good run blocker who has the quickness and strength to move the defenders off the line in the run game. He has good instincts when moving to the second level on run plays, and is fundamentally sound enough to compensate for some athletic shortcomings. The most notable of those shortcomings is Holden's struggle with speed rushers off the edge. Holden has been beaten by players with enough quickness and speed to get around the edge, and Holden also tends to struggle shutting down stunts at the line. Despite those shortcomings the Redskins would be wise to give Holden a look if he is here at the 114th pick.
While the Redskins are high on Ty Nsekhe he cannot be everywhere at once. As Morgan Moses continues to age, and if Trent Williams continues to smoke pot, the Redskins may need another option at tackle that they can plug in. Holden brings experience at both tackle spots to the Redskins offensive line, but more than likely the right side is more suitable to his skill set at the NFL level. It would be another case of finding someone who can provide depth at first and maybe develop into a starter. If the Redskins are looking to take a running back anywhere in this draft it would behoove them to start adding depth to the offensive line as well. Even if they don't take a running back, the running game last year was sporadic at best and Holden's durability and skill set play right into bolstering the offensive line's ability to sustain changes due to injury or suspension. Holden's disciplined nature would also bring good intangibles to the team as well, so the Redskins would be wise to give Holden a look in the 4th round.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Redskins Draft Special Round 4 (Pick 123)
There are a lot of directions the Redskins can go with this pick, but I propose choosing a player who may not be as obvious.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 4 (123rd Overall Selection): Wayne Gallman RB (Clemson)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs 40 yd: 4.60 20 yd Shuttle: 4.28 sec
He is no Joe Mixon, but I could not in good conscience take THREE players who had to miss a year in college due to disciplinary reasons. Hence the choice of Wayne Gallman, and he may fit the Redskins scheme better than you would think. Gallman is a hard runner who has good bursts through the tackles and can make quick cuts at the line of scrimmage. His 20 yard shuttle time was 5th at the combine for RB's, and was only .06 seconds slower than Christian McCaffrey who is listed as being almost 15 pounds lighter than his Clemson counter part. Gallman has used that size to be a hard runner who always falls forward and fights for the extra yards. He is noted as being trustworthy in fourth and short situations as well as goal line packages, which can be seen in his 28 rushing touchdowns over the past 2 seasons at Clemson. The knocks on him are that he has trouble finding lanes and he slows down at times to try and find the hole. He is not a shifty type back and has trouble moving in tight spaces, and his pass protection is average at best. Scouts state that he may need large lanes to run through at the NFl level, and his pass catching ability is spotty.
So why waste a pick on a possible Matt Jones 2.0? Because Matt Jones 1.0 may have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff, and they need another power back with a little extra. Gallman's profile sounds like that of Rob Kelley, but he has a little more speed and quickness that can add an extra element to the Redskins running game. His negatives are all somewhat ameliorated by the fact that the Redskins offense can provide big one cut lanes he needs when working properly. Gallman also worked out of the shotgun a lot at Clemson, which may limit his ability as an every package type back but it could also make him an intriguing option on 3rd downs if given the proper coaching. Gallman could push Matt Jones to either fix his fumbling issues or push him out of the depth chart all together. Either way, it would add competition to a position that needed some new talent to invigorate it, and Gallman could eventually become a steady go-to option for the Redskins
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 4 (123rd Overall Selection): Wayne Gallman RB (Clemson)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs 40 yd: 4.60 20 yd Shuttle: 4.28 sec
So why waste a pick on a possible Matt Jones 2.0? Because Matt Jones 1.0 may have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff, and they need another power back with a little extra. Gallman's profile sounds like that of Rob Kelley, but he has a little more speed and quickness that can add an extra element to the Redskins running game. His negatives are all somewhat ameliorated by the fact that the Redskins offense can provide big one cut lanes he needs when working properly. Gallman also worked out of the shotgun a lot at Clemson, which may limit his ability as an every package type back but it could also make him an intriguing option on 3rd downs if given the proper coaching. Gallman could push Matt Jones to either fix his fumbling issues or push him out of the depth chart all together. Either way, it would add competition to a position that needed some new talent to invigorate it, and Gallman could eventually become a steady go-to option for the Redskins
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Redskins Draft Special Round 6 (Pick 201)
Finally, the Redskins get to use a pick that was not involved in a trade and is at the beginning of the round. The Redskins should take advantage of being able to pick high in the sixth round to add some depth.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 6 (201st Overall Selection): Connor Harris ILB (Lindenwood)
Height: 5'11" Weight: 242 lbs 40 yd: 4.73 Vert: 33"
Lindenwood is a Division II school in St. Charles, Missouri that plays in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Connor Harris was highly recruited, but received only one FBS scholarship from Kansas and that was after he committed to the Tigers. Harris made a name for himself by becoming the NCAA's all time leading tackler with 633 career tackles. He was also a First Team All-American and won the Cliff Harris Award in 2016 for being named the top defender in Division II, III, and NAIA. Now, you probably have the Sandlot mentality right now about Harris's accolades, but he has skills that would warrant the Redskins taking him early in the sixth round. Harris is described as a high motor player who has tremendous leadership skills and the quickness to be in front of run plays and disrupt their timing. He has a good burst to the ball, and has the quickness in space to cover running backs out of the backfield. Harris finishes his tackles, he is noted as a linebacker who can play all three downs, and has experience playing QB, Safety, Running Back, and Punter throughout his football career. There are questions about his production being a product of the level of competition, and his lack of length has caused him to be eaten up by bigger offensive lineman. Scouts note that he has trouble shedding blocks and is more of a straight line/downhill type tackler. While his quickness is above reproach there may be issues with his speed at the NFL level. His size and lack of experience with higher level athletes may be concerns, but Harris is someone the Redskins need on this roster.
Yes, the Redskins just signed Zach Brown to shore up the inside linebacker position, but it couldn't hurt to add depth there as well. At the very least, Harris will add competition to that ILB group with his determined demeanor and level of work ethic. While you can't coach him to be bigger or taller, you also cannot teach quickness. Harris seems to have the quickness to be in the play and the determination to finish the play once he is there. The fact that he can cover running backs coming out of the backfield should also have the Redskins praying that he falls to this spot. The big issue with The Redskins defense last year was stopping the run and Harris's skills set is geared to do just that. His leadership skills would also be a bonus to have in the locker room, and the Redskins should look to select Connor Harris if they have the chance.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.
Round 6 (201st Overall Selection): Connor Harris ILB (Lindenwood)
Height: 5'11" Weight: 242 lbs 40 yd: 4.73 Vert: 33"
Yes, the Redskins just signed Zach Brown to shore up the inside linebacker position, but it couldn't hurt to add depth there as well. At the very least, Harris will add competition to that ILB group with his determined demeanor and level of work ethic. While you can't coach him to be bigger or taller, you also cannot teach quickness. Harris seems to have the quickness to be in the play and the determination to finish the play once he is there. The fact that he can cover running backs coming out of the backfield should also have the Redskins praying that he falls to this spot. The big issue with The Redskins defense last year was stopping the run and Harris's skills set is geared to do just that. His leadership skills would also be a bonus to have in the locker room, and the Redskins should look to select Connor Harris if they have the chance.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Redskins Draft Special Round 6 (Pick 209)
The Texans must have really wanted Will Fuller bad. The Texans swapped picks with the Redskins last year to take Fuller at #21 and we selected Josh Doctson at #22. The bonus for the Redskins in making that trade is we get to select this future Hall of Famer with the 209th pick instead of The Texans.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports and NFL Combine Results Page. I used the overall rankings on the CBS site to determine who would possibly be available in each round. For example, if the player was rated 50th overall on the CBS site then I would assume that they would not be available in the 3rd round where the Redskins pick 81st.
Round 6 (209th Overall Selection): Josh Harvey-Clemons Safety (Louisville)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 217 lbs 40 yd: 4.76 Vert: 31.5"
The first of at least two players that I will propose the Redskins select that has played for more than one FBS team. Josh Harvey-Clemons was a five star recruit who committed to Georgia and played there between 2012-2013, but ran into a wee bit of trouble that caused him to be dismissed from the team after the 2013 season and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was the safety involved in the Prayer at Jordan Hare. He transferred to Louisville where he ended his collegiate career in 2016 sans drama and decent stats his senior year (37 Tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 SCK, 1 PD). It is his size, athleticism, and toughness the Redskins should covet. He is a tall safety whose arm length is described as being that of an offensive lineman. Scouts describe him as a rangy tackler who can change direction quickly when tackling or in coverage, and a hard hitter who does not slow down or avoid contact. They also note his ability to drop back into coverage on play actions, and his ability to adjust coverage when a quarterback begins to scramble. Clemons is not without his negatives, however, most notably his apparent affinity for marijuana. But he has been described as being late to cover deep routes, and is better suited to be a box safety that can come up in run support or cover more mid level routes. Scouts note that he is late to reacting to throws when he is the single high safety so he may not fit the mold of a true free safety in the NFL.
Clemons sounds like a poor man's Su'a Cravens, and we already signed Swearinger, so where is the benefit in drafting a guy like Clemons who has the same skill set? My counter question is, do you feel comfortable rolling with DeAngelo Hall or Will Blackmon if one of those guys goes down? Clemons adds depth and an elite level mentality. Scouts note that he plays with high intensity and swagger with the athleticism to back it up. Both Cravens and Hall are coming off of an injury plagued season, so it may not be out of the question to add an insurance policy in the sixth round that can mirror the skill set of Cravens in order to lessen the impact of his absence if that occurs. Plus Hall and Blackmon are not getting any younger, and the Redskins should look to add depth at safety that they can groom into a possible starter. Clemons has had trouble in the past but it is worth taking the risk at the 209th pick if he is available.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports and NFL Combine Results Page. I used the overall rankings on the CBS site to determine who would possibly be available in each round. For example, if the player was rated 50th overall on the CBS site then I would assume that they would not be available in the 3rd round where the Redskins pick 81st.
Round 6 (209th Overall Selection): Josh Harvey-Clemons Safety (Louisville)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 217 lbs 40 yd: 4.76 Vert: 31.5"
The first of at least two players that I will propose the Redskins select that has played for more than one FBS team. Josh Harvey-Clemons was a five star recruit who committed to Georgia and played there between 2012-2013, but ran into a wee bit of trouble that caused him to be dismissed from the team after the 2013 season and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was the safety involved in the Prayer at Jordan Hare. He transferred to Louisville where he ended his collegiate career in 2016 sans drama and decent stats his senior year (37 Tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 SCK, 1 PD). It is his size, athleticism, and toughness the Redskins should covet. He is a tall safety whose arm length is described as being that of an offensive lineman. Scouts describe him as a rangy tackler who can change direction quickly when tackling or in coverage, and a hard hitter who does not slow down or avoid contact. They also note his ability to drop back into coverage on play actions, and his ability to adjust coverage when a quarterback begins to scramble. Clemons is not without his negatives, however, most notably his apparent affinity for marijuana. But he has been described as being late to cover deep routes, and is better suited to be a box safety that can come up in run support or cover more mid level routes. Scouts note that he is late to reacting to throws when he is the single high safety so he may not fit the mold of a true free safety in the NFL.
Clemons sounds like a poor man's Su'a Cravens, and we already signed Swearinger, so where is the benefit in drafting a guy like Clemons who has the same skill set? My counter question is, do you feel comfortable rolling with DeAngelo Hall or Will Blackmon if one of those guys goes down? Clemons adds depth and an elite level mentality. Scouts note that he plays with high intensity and swagger with the athleticism to back it up. Both Cravens and Hall are coming off of an injury plagued season, so it may not be out of the question to add an insurance policy in the sixth round that can mirror the skill set of Cravens in order to lessen the impact of his absence if that occurs. Plus Hall and Blackmon are not getting any younger, and the Redskins should look to add depth at safety that they can groom into a possible starter. Clemons has had trouble in the past but it is worth taking the risk at the 209th pick if he is available.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
The Josh Norman Signing May Have Big Consequences
This is vintage Redskins free agency; get the best guy for a lot of money no matter the repercussions. There was no way Norman was leaving Ashburn without a contract, and it was the right move to make, but it is the repercussions that need to be examined because this signing leaves the Redskins with very little room to maneuver within the Salary Cap. The makeup of the Redskins roster and draft board will be shaken up by this signing, and the fallout from these changes may give the Redskins Brass a better negotiating position come next Spring. Let's look at what could happen in the next few days leading up to the Draft:
1) Gacron and/or Jackson are all but gone. I hate to say this, but it makes the most financial sense. Either Jackson, Garcon, or both will not be playing for the Redskins come September. Both are free agents at the end of next season anyway, and cutting Garcon alone will free up $8 million in cap space. Jackson will only account for $6 million if he is let go. It will be a hard decision because the Redskins need to weigh Jackson's deep threat ability with Garcon's toughness in the red zone and leadership qualities. Whichever receiver is let go, look for any combination of Perry Riley, Logan Paulsen, and Chris Baker to follow them out the door as they are also slated to be UFA's at the end of the 2016 season and cutting them can add more cap space for the Redskins.
2) The Redskins will not be trading for more picks. That is unless they can free up cap space by cutting players. The projected cap hit (scroll down to the very bottom for the draft pick cap cost) for the Redskins current draft picks is $5.6 million, and if you factor those players into the Redskins current cap situation the Redskins are about $7 million over the cap. McCloughan simply cannot afford to sign the 11-12 players he wants to draft unless he makes massive roster changes and restructures. If there are not massive cuts made before Thursday, look for the Redskins to stand pat.
3) The Redskins will take at least two WR's in the draft, and one of them will be in the first three rounds. This will be especially true if Garcon and Jackson are let go. Even if they are not, it is hard to foresee Garcon and Jackson both being on this roster after this season due to the impending expiration of the contracts of Kirk Cousins and Jordan Reed after this season. The Redskins need to be thinking long term especially with Cousins's contract looming. Speaking of quarterbacks.......
4) Do not be surprised if the Redskins draft a quarterback before the fifth round. I sincerely hope this is not the case, but it will not be surprising given the circumstances. The Redskins only have two quarterbacks on the roster for next season; one of whom is on a lucrative, yet tentative, one year contract and another who looks to be a backup for the remainder of his NFL tenure. The Redskins may decide to draft an insurance policy that they could go forward with if the Cousins situation cannot be resolved by the end of next season, and the Norman signing has put Cousins contract negotiations in a precarious position.
5) The Norman Signing puts Kirk Cousins in a Catch-22. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the Redskins front office has put Kirk Cousins in a position where the only outcome will be the Redskins offering him less money again whenever they decide to sit down and negotiate. Lost in the drunken celebration of the Josh Norman signing is the nugget that he will count $20 million against the cap next year. The Redskins were skiddish about giving Cousins a long term $20 million per year contract before this signing, and now they will be even more leery of opening up the checkbook due to the sizable amount of money that Norman will be receiving next year. The Catch-22 comes from the fact that there is nothing that Cousins's play can do to stop this low balling from happening. Let's assume that the Redskins cut either Jackson or Garcon, and Cousins has a monster season throwing to the one that stays and Jordan Reed. Reed and Jackson/Garcon's contract will be up at the end of the season, and it is not far fetched to think that the Redskins will low ball Cousins under the guise of The Redskins needing to resign the parts that made him successful. If Cousins's play is mediocre then that alone will justify the Redskins throwing a low ball offer at Cousins, especially if they draft a quarterback who they think could do just as well for less money in the short term. If the low ball offers come at the end of next season, it could be that Cousins decides to fly his bombing missions for someone else, and a big part of that could be due to the money they paid Norman putting a stangle hold on the salary cap.
The Redskins made the right move in signing Josh Norman, but the after effects of this signing will be felt for years to come. It is up to McCloughan, and the Redskins front office, to make prudent decisions that will allow this team to operate within the salary cap. That could mean that one or more of the above situations may happen, all because of the Redskins doing what they do best winning the offseason championship.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Redskins Draft Special
There are very few events that get their own countdown on ESPN.com. The NFL draft is one of those events, and while the NFL has bastardized the Draft by spreading it out over multiple days it is still pegged as one of the premier prognosticating events for sports analysts. With the Redskins publicly stating that they want to acquire four more picks than they have already, Mel Kiper may need to bring an extra can of pomade to keep his hair down trying to analyze the Redskins draft moves. But trades are too complex to try and predict when they will happen, how they will happen, and with which of the other 31 teams the Redskins will deal with, so let's analyze the draft as if the Redskins will not trade any of their picks. Here are the players SweetDCSports believes the Redskins should take at each position if the player is available, and not counting if they decide to trade out of that position.
Note: All scouting information came from CBS Sports and NFL Combine Results Page. I used the projected rankings at each position on the CBS site to determine who would possibly be available in each round. For example, If CBS projected someone to go in the 3rd round then I did not factor them being available to the Redskins in the 4th round. Enjoy.
Round 1 (21st Overall Selection): Andrew Billings DT (Baylor)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yd: 5.05 Bench Press: 31 reps
The Redskins need to think long term at nose tackle after the departure of Terrance Knighton and Billings seems to be the right guy for the job. His freakish strength allows him to overpower lineman, and he has a quick first step that allows him to elude his initial blocker. Known for his closing speed and elite run stopping ability, Billings was also able to have his best pass rushing season in 2015 with 5.5 sacks. He also fits the frame of a McCloughan type player: high motor, violent playmaker, durable (played 86 of 90 snaps against Oklahoma). His shortcomings are that he has been noted to give up on plays if his initial rush proves unsuccessful, and he has trouble changing direction if the play gets past him. He is also young. He left Baylor after his true Junior year and he just turned 21 years old. There may be concerns about his youth and how well he will acclimate to NFL life, but with Chris Baker and Kedric Golston in the locker room he would have great role models to help him out.
Billings would give the Redskins a nasty presence inside that will open up pass rush lanes for guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Galette, and Preston Smith. He also adds quickness in the middle of the line that will improve the line's ability to close in on running backs at the point of attack. I think he is a much better fit for the Redskins than Jarran Reed and Sheldon Rankins, and if Billings is off the board before the Redskins are up look for McCloughan to trade down and possibly take Vernon Butler in the second round. If Billings is available, though, I cannot see McCloughan passing on him due to the Redskins need for a true nose tackle to anchor the defensive line.
Round 2 (53rd Overall Selection): Keanu Neal Safety (Florida)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 211 lbs 40 yd: 4.62 Vertical: 38"
It maybe unrealistic to think that Keanu Neal falls to the Redskins at the 53rd pick. This could be a scenario where the Redskins trade down from their first round pick to put themselves in a position to get one of the higher ranked safeties, but Keanu Neal has to be the one the Redskins are looking at for their second round pick. The Redskins are coming into the 2016 season with only four safeties total on their roster, and Neal provides a flexible luxury of having played both strong and free safety at Florida. While his 2015 stats do not pop out at you (83 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) maybe his highlight tape will show you why the Redskins should take him. Scouts note that he is an enforcer that likes to bring the wood, which is evident in a lot of the hits he lays in this video. It is concerning that half of the hits involve Neal dropping his shoulder and not wrapping up on tackles in space that will not fly in the NFL, but he shows the ability to be at least a serviceable strong safety. He also shows the ability to cover a wide range of field and he shows a knack for getting to the ball. Finally, his size is second to none and he is characterized as a high motor guy who rarely fatigues.
Think of what the Redskins could do with a guy who can be interchanged at the safety positions, someone who can bring a physical presence on the edges of the defense, and run down wide receivers and running backs in the open field and make them pay with big hits. Keanu Neal brings that type of presence to a secondary that was beleaguered at times in 2015. His 6'0", 211 pound, long armed frame means he can match up with NFL wide receivers, and he boasts one of the best vertical jumps for safeties at the combine this year. If he is available at 53 the Redskins would be crazy to pass on him, and I think he is a safer choice than Karl Joseph of West Virgina due to Jospeh's knee injury sidelining him since October. McCloughan has to use an early pick to upgrade the safety position and Keanu Neal will be the best pick for the Redskins if they can get him.
Round 3 (84th Overall Selection): Jerald Hawkins OT (LSU)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 305 lbs 40 yd: 5.23 Bench Press: 23 reps
Hawkins possesses a lot of the attributes that you would want in a third round offensive tackle. He has a season's worth of experience at both right an left tackle against SEC competition. Hawkins's footwork allows him to get to his spots quickly, and his lateral movement gives him strengths in defending against speed pass rushers and opportunistic run defenders. He has long arms that give him an imposing frame and he is quick off the snap, which allows him to set his blocks with a strong grip and hand placement. And the knocks on him are even more promising. Scouts have said that he lacks the proper strength to operate in the run game and to sustain blocks past the first level of run support. Strength can be acquired through training and proper motivation. The other minus against Hawkins in that his physical frame is too narrow and that there is limited potential for strength growth. But as Yoda once said "Size matters not....Judge me by my size, do you?".
Hawkins's footwork and experience more than make up for his lack of elite level strength, and he would have time to develop his strength considering that he would not need to start right away. The Redskins go into the 2016 season with only three true offesnive tackles, and Hawkins provides the luxury of having played both tackle positions at an elite level. While Joe Haeg (North Dakota State) may provide better quickness, and John Theus (Georgia) may have slightly more experience, Jerald Hawkins can provide both with limitations that can easily be remedied. McCloughan needs to start thinking about how to restock depth on the offensive line and Hawkins seems like a perfect fit for the Skins in the third round
Round 4 (120th Overall Selection): Eric Murray DB (Minnesota)
Height: 5'11" Weight: 199 lbs 40 yd: 4.49 Vertical: 39.5"
It may be tempting for McCloughan to take a running back at this position, but Murray seems to be a more solid pick than the projected fourth round running backs. The Redskins need to add some depth at the corner position with Culliver coming off an injury riddled 2015 season, and Murray fits the bill of the players McCloughan is trying to recruit. A three year starter at Minnesota, Murray was also named team captain his senior year and was lauded for his commitment on and off the field. Murray is well versed in multiple coverage schemes, and while he only amassed two interceptions over his college career he was also able to break up 24 passes. Scouts note Murray's superior coverage techniques as a byproduct of his penchant for watching film and diagnosing routes. Murray also brings tenacity when stopping the run, where he consistently fights through blocks to bring the ball carrier down. He does run a bit small at 5'11", and scouts note his lack of hip quickness when breaking out of his back pedal which may lead to Murray getting beat by vertical routes at the pro-level. Murray, though, brings a huge upside of leadership, experience, confidence, and consistency that McCloughan has seemed to covet in his draft picks.
This is an area where if the Redskins trade down they could have their cake and eat it too. Alex Collins, running back out of Arkansas, looks intriguing in this area as well, and if the Redskins are able to trade down and get extra picks in the fourth round we may see the Redskins select a CB and RB. If the Redskins decide to stand pat, though, or only possess one pick in the fourth round it has to be Murray if he is available. He possesses too much football IQ and versatility, Murray started 13 games on special teams his freshman year where he blocked two kicks, for the Redskins to pass him up. Murray would add a wealth of experience and leadership to the Redskins secondary, and give them depth at a position that was hampered by injuries in 2015.
Round 5 (158th Overall Selection): Willie Beavers OT (Western Michigan)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 324 lbs 40 yd: 5.28 Bench Press: 20 reps
Depth at offensive tackle is a major area of need that the Redskins have, and they need to think about taking more than one in the 2016 Draft. The Redskins would find themselves in a fortuitous position if Beavers was waiting for them at the 158th pick. Do not let where he played turn you off. Beavers possesses great quickness that allows him to set his blocks early and get down the field on runs and screen plays. He has shown the ability to hold his block for as long as he can, and he does not quit when he initially gets beat off of the line. Scouts note his ability to process defensive stunts and blitzes and react to them before they can cause havoc. Finally, Beavers possesses the experience that McCloughan prefers in his selections. Beavers is a redshirt senior who started 40 games at left tackle for the Broncos, and scouts at the Combine noted that he has the ability to play all over the offensive line given proper coaching.
The coaching part is where Bill Callahan will have to work his magic. Beavers's weakness comes from his overly aggressive style of play. He tends to get himself out of position because he is too gung ho in trying to set his blocks when the defenders are being more tentative and not coming right at him. Callahan is the man for the job, though, and Beavers could blossom into a serviceable backup tackle for his first few NFL seasons. With Beavers and Hawkins, the Redskins would have a viable insurance plan if Morgan Moses or Trent Williams goes down without having to force Kory Lichtensteiger to move away from Center where he has found a career renaissance. Beavers could, emphasis on could, also become a viable option going forward as Trent Williams continues to get older. His positional versatility, wealth of experience, and physical attributes would be a steal at this pick so do not be surprised if the Redskins take him earlier if they find trade partners to gain picks in the late fourth or earlier fifth round.
Round 6 (187th Overall Selection): Darius Jackson RB (Eastern Michigan)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 220 lbs 40 yd: 4.35 Vertical: 41" Broad Jump: 133"
There is nothing wrong with your screen. You are reading those numbers above correctly. Jackson posted those numbers at Michigan's Pro Day because he was not invited to the NFL Combine. Fairly impressive for a guy his size considering his vertical jump would have been the eighth best ever by an RB at the Combine and his broad jump would be tied for fifth. The reason Jackson may not be getting more national hype is because he only had one full season as a starting running back. That was this past season as a senior where he was able to gain 1078 yards and score 14 TD's, but most of that was against MAC competition and most of his runs came out of read option shotgun formations. The low level of competition that he faced coupled with the scheme that he played in at Eastern Michigan may have devalued his draft status, but his highlight reel shows his top level speed and above average pass catching ability. Jackson also shows that he can make people miss in the open field and can pass block when given the opportunity.
With Alfred Morris leaving this off season, the Redskins need to think about adding depth to this position. Jackson's workout numbers may make some teams take him earlier than his projected 6th round status, and one of those teams should be the Redskins if they get the chance. Jackson's coaches at Eastern Michigan stated that he is one of their best practice players, and he would be a perfect hybrid of size and speed to compliment Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. Jackson should be a target for the Redskins, and if he is still available in the 6th round with the Redskins still not having picked a running back, McCloughan should give Jackson the call to move to DC.
Round 7 (232nd Overall Selection): Ricardo Louis WR (Auburn)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 215 lbs 40 yd: 4.43 Vertical: 38" Bench Press: 18 reps
If Rich Tandler's proposed dilemma goes in Laquon Treadwell's favor, the Redskins may not give Ricardo Louis the time of day in the seventh round if he is still there. But the Redskins have more urgent needs in other positions, and Ricardo Louis would be a decent pick for the Redskins at the end of the Draft. Louis is the receiver who caught "The Prayer at Jordan-Hare" two years ago, and he has since developed himself into a serviceable wide out. Louis saw an increased work load after Duke Williams was dismissed from Auburn this season, and Louis took advantage by catching 46 passes for 716 yards and three touchdowns. He also was able to rush for 158 yards and score one rushing touchdown. Louis is touted as a great YAC receiver that uses his speed off the line and physical size to get separation and make tough catches on the sideline. He is also agile in space and is not afraid of being physical at the end of his runs. He was also one of the top wide receivers at the combine in the 40, vertical jump, and bench press. The reason he is not rated higher is due to major concerns about his catching ability. Louis is noted as dropping easy passes due to loss of focus, and there are added concerns that Auburn's scheme allowed Louis to exploit coverages more so than his physical attributes.
Let's see. Big, physical receiver that is good after the catch and can use his size to be physical with defenders. Good thing the Redskins don't already have a receiver like that with a $10M cap hit turning 30 this year. Oh, wait. Not only will Pierre Garcon be turning 30 and be without a contract next year, DeSean Jackson will also be meeting all of those criteria at the end of the 2016 season as well. Louis would be a low risk, high reward pick that can take at least one season to try and get his shortcomings in order while not being asked to do much on the field. Louis sounds like he could fill Garcon's spot if he were not to be retained, or be a welcome compliment if Garcon were to stay. The Redskins should be looking at a receiver, but I hope it is later in the draft and they give Ricardo Louis a look.
Round 7 (242nd Overall Selection): Darrell Greene OG (San Diego State)
Height: 6'3" Weight: 321 lbs 40 yd: 5.20 Bench Press: 28 reps
This would not be just a nostalgic pick, but somewhere deep down you know that Dan Snyder wants this guy on our team simply because of his name. Darrell Greene is a red shirt senior from San Diego State who started 25 straight games for the Aztecs until he was suspended for the first six games of the 2015 season due to a positive marijuana test. Greene started the final seven games in 2015, but the damage had been done to his draft status. While this aspect of his college career may not mesh with what McCloughan is trying to build with this team, Greene's play on the field seems to be right up his alley. Greene utilizes his quick footwork and mean disposition to overpower defenders and get to the second level on run plays. Greene has shown the ability to be a good pulling guard due to his above average footwork, and he has been noted as being a solid pass protector. Marijuana aside, Greene does have limitations in his game that have given scouts pause on picking him too high. His short arms have allowed longer armed defenders to outwork him at times and force him out of position, which he is something he will have to deal with on a more regular basis in the NFL. His blitz pickup and blocking on the move has been called into question, as well, but the big red flag for McCloughan will probably be the drug test.
Greene passes the McCloughan on the field criteria. An offensive lineman that plays to the whistle and overpowers his opponents with his strength and determination. Hopefully, the Redskins do their job and look into the drugs allegations, but this should be someone whom the Redskins peg as a huge value pick if he is still available at the end of the draft. The Redskins running game took a big hit last year when people became injured and they had to rearrange the offensive line. Greene would add depth to this position, and he would also be someone the Redskins could develop over time.
Note: All scouting information came from CBS Sports and NFL Combine Results Page. I used the projected rankings at each position on the CBS site to determine who would possibly be available in each round. For example, If CBS projected someone to go in the 3rd round then I did not factor them being available to the Redskins in the 4th round. Enjoy.
Round 1 (21st Overall Selection): Andrew Billings DT (Baylor)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yd: 5.05 Bench Press: 31 reps
Billings would give the Redskins a nasty presence inside that will open up pass rush lanes for guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Galette, and Preston Smith. He also adds quickness in the middle of the line that will improve the line's ability to close in on running backs at the point of attack. I think he is a much better fit for the Redskins than Jarran Reed and Sheldon Rankins, and if Billings is off the board before the Redskins are up look for McCloughan to trade down and possibly take Vernon Butler in the second round. If Billings is available, though, I cannot see McCloughan passing on him due to the Redskins need for a true nose tackle to anchor the defensive line.
Round 2 (53rd Overall Selection): Keanu Neal Safety (Florida)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 211 lbs 40 yd: 4.62 Vertical: 38"
Think of what the Redskins could do with a guy who can be interchanged at the safety positions, someone who can bring a physical presence on the edges of the defense, and run down wide receivers and running backs in the open field and make them pay with big hits. Keanu Neal brings that type of presence to a secondary that was beleaguered at times in 2015. His 6'0", 211 pound, long armed frame means he can match up with NFL wide receivers, and he boasts one of the best vertical jumps for safeties at the combine this year. If he is available at 53 the Redskins would be crazy to pass on him, and I think he is a safer choice than Karl Joseph of West Virgina due to Jospeh's knee injury sidelining him since October. McCloughan has to use an early pick to upgrade the safety position and Keanu Neal will be the best pick for the Redskins if they can get him.
Round 3 (84th Overall Selection): Jerald Hawkins OT (LSU)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 305 lbs 40 yd: 5.23 Bench Press: 23 reps
Hawkins's footwork and experience more than make up for his lack of elite level strength, and he would have time to develop his strength considering that he would not need to start right away. The Redskins go into the 2016 season with only three true offesnive tackles, and Hawkins provides the luxury of having played both tackle positions at an elite level. While Joe Haeg (North Dakota State) may provide better quickness, and John Theus (Georgia) may have slightly more experience, Jerald Hawkins can provide both with limitations that can easily be remedied. McCloughan needs to start thinking about how to restock depth on the offensive line and Hawkins seems like a perfect fit for the Skins in the third round
Round 4 (120th Overall Selection): Eric Murray DB (Minnesota)
Height: 5'11" Weight: 199 lbs 40 yd: 4.49 Vertical: 39.5"
This is an area where if the Redskins trade down they could have their cake and eat it too. Alex Collins, running back out of Arkansas, looks intriguing in this area as well, and if the Redskins are able to trade down and get extra picks in the fourth round we may see the Redskins select a CB and RB. If the Redskins decide to stand pat, though, or only possess one pick in the fourth round it has to be Murray if he is available. He possesses too much football IQ and versatility, Murray started 13 games on special teams his freshman year where he blocked two kicks, for the Redskins to pass him up. Murray would add a wealth of experience and leadership to the Redskins secondary, and give them depth at a position that was hampered by injuries in 2015.
Round 5 (158th Overall Selection): Willie Beavers OT (Western Michigan)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 324 lbs 40 yd: 5.28 Bench Press: 20 reps
The coaching part is where Bill Callahan will have to work his magic. Beavers's weakness comes from his overly aggressive style of play. He tends to get himself out of position because he is too gung ho in trying to set his blocks when the defenders are being more tentative and not coming right at him. Callahan is the man for the job, though, and Beavers could blossom into a serviceable backup tackle for his first few NFL seasons. With Beavers and Hawkins, the Redskins would have a viable insurance plan if Morgan Moses or Trent Williams goes down without having to force Kory Lichtensteiger to move away from Center where he has found a career renaissance. Beavers could, emphasis on could, also become a viable option going forward as Trent Williams continues to get older. His positional versatility, wealth of experience, and physical attributes would be a steal at this pick so do not be surprised if the Redskins take him earlier if they find trade partners to gain picks in the late fourth or earlier fifth round.
Round 6 (187th Overall Selection): Darius Jackson RB (Eastern Michigan)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 220 lbs 40 yd: 4.35 Vertical: 41" Broad Jump: 133"
With Alfred Morris leaving this off season, the Redskins need to think about adding depth to this position. Jackson's workout numbers may make some teams take him earlier than his projected 6th round status, and one of those teams should be the Redskins if they get the chance. Jackson's coaches at Eastern Michigan stated that he is one of their best practice players, and he would be a perfect hybrid of size and speed to compliment Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. Jackson should be a target for the Redskins, and if he is still available in the 6th round with the Redskins still not having picked a running back, McCloughan should give Jackson the call to move to DC.
Round 7 (232nd Overall Selection): Ricardo Louis WR (Auburn)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 215 lbs 40 yd: 4.43 Vertical: 38" Bench Press: 18 reps
Let's see. Big, physical receiver that is good after the catch and can use his size to be physical with defenders. Good thing the Redskins don't already have a receiver like that with a $10M cap hit turning 30 this year. Oh, wait. Not only will Pierre Garcon be turning 30 and be without a contract next year, DeSean Jackson will also be meeting all of those criteria at the end of the 2016 season as well. Louis would be a low risk, high reward pick that can take at least one season to try and get his shortcomings in order while not being asked to do much on the field. Louis sounds like he could fill Garcon's spot if he were not to be retained, or be a welcome compliment if Garcon were to stay. The Redskins should be looking at a receiver, but I hope it is later in the draft and they give Ricardo Louis a look.
Round 7 (242nd Overall Selection): Darrell Greene OG (San Diego State)
Height: 6'3" Weight: 321 lbs 40 yd: 5.20 Bench Press: 28 reps
Greene passes the McCloughan on the field criteria. An offensive lineman that plays to the whistle and overpowers his opponents with his strength and determination. Hopefully, the Redskins do their job and look into the drugs allegations, but this should be someone whom the Redskins peg as a huge value pick if he is still available at the end of the draft. The Redskins running game took a big hit last year when people became injured and they had to rearrange the offensive line. Greene would add depth to this position, and he would also be someone the Redskins could develop over time.
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