Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 2 (Pick 44)

A lot of Mock Drafts have the Redskins taking a skill position player in the second round, but what will those players do if they don't have the protection up front to be successful?  The Redskins need to go O-Line in the second round.

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 2 (44th Overall Selection):     Billy Price    C    (Ohio State)
Height: 6'4"   Weight: 305 lbs   

It is concerning that Billy Price suffered a torn pectoral muscle while warming up for the bench press at the NFL Combine.  The injury is said to be minor, though,  and the Redskins should heed that advice and take a long hard look at Price if he is available at the 44th pick.  Price was Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior in Ohio, but he was moved to offensive line when he got to Ohio State.  He began his career as a Guard where he started all 15 games as a freshman on the 2014 National Championship Team.  He filled in at left guard his sophomore year where he garnered Third Team All-Big Ten honors, and he moved to right guard the next year and was First Team All-Big Ten.  Last year he was moved to center where he won the Remington Trophy as the Nation's top center and was First Team All-American.  His meteoric rise throughout his college career is due to an impressive set of skills.  Scouts note his incredible strength and ability to move defenders off the line of scrimmage.  He has the ability to play in space and to hold his position on the line, and he has significant experience at both guard positions and center.  Price sets a strong anchor in pass protection, and he plays with a mean streak to compliment his physicality.  It is this mean streak, though, that brings the negative side of Price's game.  Price tends to be too aggressive at times, and gets himself out of position by over lunging at the defender.  Scouts note that Price may rely too heavily on his brute strength, which causes his footwork to go dead and allow more athletic rushers to get by him.  Finally, his mean demeanor has given him the moniker of being a tough personality to deal with, but the Redskins need high level depth on the offensive line after what happened last year.

The Redskins offensive line became a MASH Unit by the end of last season, and it was a big reason why the Redskins had trouble running the football and protecting Kirk Cousins as the season progressed.  Guys like Derrius Guice, Courtland Sutton, and Christian Kirk are good, but what happens if the offensive line cannot provide the protection to make these skill players successful?  Price is the answer for people who wonder if Arie Kuandjio is up to the task of starting at Left Guard,  and it gives the Redskins interior line a jolt of high level starting talent.  Price's over aggressiveness is a concern, but that can be remedied through coaching.  It is harder to coach up desire than it is to teach temperance, and Bill Callahan seems to be just the guy to work with Price on fixing some of the holes in his game.  Alex Smith will need protection, and whatever running back starts for the Redskins will need holes to run through.  Price brings all of that to the table, and he should be the guy the Redskins select with the 44th pick if he is there even if Guice is still available.

Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 6 (Pick 205)

The Redskins finally did it.  Move over Colt McCoy because Kevin Hogan is now here to take your backup job from you.  In return for Hogan's services the Redskins had to swap the 188th pick for the Browns' 205th pick this year, where hopefully they can still draft this wide receiver.

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 6 (205th Overall Selection):  Steve Ishmael    WR    (Syracuse)
Height: 6'2"   Weight: 210 lbs     40 yd: 4.59     Vert: 32.5    Cone Drill: 6.84

What if a receiver was a down field threat because he could catch anything that was thrown to him rather than being a burner?  Steve Ishmael is the answer to that question. Ishmael played in 47 out of a possible 48 games for Syracuse with 39 starts between 2014-2017, and his senior year numbers are eye popping.  Ishmael hauled in 105 receptions for 1,347 yards and seven TD's in 2017, which garnered him unanimous First-Team All ACC honors and a big Stone Cold Steve Austin Salute from the NFL Combine representatives.  That may be good for the Redskins considering that scouts have noted his ability to adjust quickly to the ball and make sudden catches, especially on downfield throws.  He is a big receiver who can wall off smaller DB's and he plays with a nasty intensity.  His lack of speed, though, is a concern because it has caused him to have a low YAC, slow route speed, and a lack of separation from his defender.  Scouts also note that despite his size, Ishmael has trouble beating press coverage off the line.  His upside may not be what HTTR nation is looking for, but it may be what they need if they consider a few points.

First, Ishmael's 105 receptions are second all-time in ACC single season history behind.......wait for it.......Jamison Crowder who had 108 receptions in 2013.  Second, which receiver do you trust to make those tough catches in traffic or one-on-one coverage?  Not Crowder.  Doctson has proven to be soft, Jordan Reed is too injury prone, and Richardson was brought in to be the burner.  Ishmael is the guy that we need to get the tough yards, and someone Alex Smith can trust will get the ball by winning his one-on-one battles through physical play and intelligence.  Just watch his tape and tell me you don't see Pierre Garcon.  Redskins fans are calling for a burner, but I say we go with a guy who can catch anything that is thrown to him, create separation at the last minute, and make catches in tight spaces to gain tough yards.  Steve Ishmael is that guy who could command safety help because one defender just won't cut it in denying him the ball.  A 6th Round pick may be ambitious considering most outlets have him going undrafted, but it may be wise for Bruce Allen to add some edge to the receiving corps before someone else does.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Redskins Draft Special Round 5 (Pick 154)

The Redskins can finally be rid of the Derek Carrier trade after this pick.  The 49ers hold the Redskins 5th round pick this year (161st overall) because of the Carrier trade, but Scot McCloughan was smart enough to get that 5th rounder back.  The Redskins traded their 4th round pick last year to the Saints (who selected David Onyemata) for their 5th rounder last year (where we selected Matt Ioannidis) and this year which turned out to be 154th overall pick.

Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.

Round 5 (154th Overall Selection):  Devonte Fields    OLB    (Louisville)
Height: 6'2"   Weight: 236 lbs   40 yd: 4.72   Vert: 34"

The second player I propose the Redskins draft that has played for more than one FBS team.  Fields started his career off with a bang at TCU registering 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, which won him the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Award and a First Team All-Big 12 Nomination.  Things did not go so well for Fields after that.  He only played in three games the next season due to a foot injury.  Then he was robbed at gun point and had to face domestic violence charges when he allegedly punched his girlfriend and pointed a gun at her.  That case was eventually dismissed, but not before Fields was dismissed from TCU.  He would play one year of Junior College before transferring to Louisville in 2015 where he finished his career drama free this past season.  Fields's activities outside of football are major red flags, and there are a lot of questions about him when he does get on the field.

His production waned in 2016, and a lot of scouts point towards his apparent lack of effort as being the cause.  Fields is characterized as giving up on plays too easily and loafs when the play is not in his direction.  He also played significant time as a down lineman at Louisville, which he will not be able to do in the NFL due to his size.  He also gets overpowered very easily at the line of scrimmage.  So, after all of this, why should the Redskins draft him?  Because you do not get 26.5 sacks in 39 FBS games in the Big 12 and the ACC by accident.  Fields is a quick and agile defender who uses that ability to make quick changes of direction at the line of scrimmage to give him openings to the ball carrier or quarterback.  He can change direction quickly, which allows him to mirror scrambling quarterbacks and sack them before they can get away.  He is undersized, but some scouts say he has the potential to get bigger at the next level if he is willing to work.  His lack of production can be partially explained by teams running plays away from his side of the ball, as evidenced by his tape from the Florida State game this past season.  The negatives may outweigh the positives with Fields, but the Redskins could be a good fit for him.

If there is any position on the Redskins with a boon of leadership that could motivate a player it is the linebacking corps.  Between Ryan Kerrigan, Will Compton, and Mason Foster, Fields would have players around him that could push him to maximize his potential and have the NFL pedigree to back it up.  Kerrigan and Preston Smith will be the starters, but if one of them goes down are you confident in Trent Murphy and Zach Vigil's ability to get to the quarterback?  Exactly.  Fields would add pass rushing depth to the OLB position, and his ability to contain scrambling quarterbacks is enough to make him a valuable addition to the defense.  The fact that he will not need to start right away and he can learn from professionals like Kerrigan could give him the time he needs to develop into an NFL level talent.  Yes, his past and his apparent lack of motivation are concerning, but Fields's potential is something the Redskins need to take a flyer on with this 5th round pick.

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.

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.

Redskins Draft Special Round 7 (Pick 235)

It is that time of year again. The time where the NFL reminds all other sports why they all have to suck tail pipe in the pecking order of professional sports because The NFL Draft can out do their playoff games in number of viewers.  The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and for the Redskins fan base this year, the ray of hope will be to continue to build the roster in hopes of either keeping Kirk Cousins happy or preparing for his departure.  With 10 picks this year the Redskins may have a chance to do both, and I am making my predictions on who the Redskins will select with each pick.  I will do one pick at a time and in reverse order so that my prediction for the Redskins's first round pick will be the last prediction I make.  Please remember that I am assuming the Redskins do not trade out of any position they currently hold, and none of the players I predicted last year were selected by the Redskins.

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 7 (235th Overall Selection):  Josh Tupou    DT    (Colorado)
Height: 6'3"   Weight: 325 lbs   40 yd: 5.35   Bench Press: 29 reps

The Redskins need defensive line help, and Tupou can provide that in a big way literally and figuratively.  He is listed on NFL.com as being 325 lbs but CBS has him at 353 lbs, and the real number may be somewhere in between.  Scouts have stated that his weight may be hindering him from what little lateral agility he possesses, but his job was to do one thing and he did that to great effectiveness for the Buffaloes in 2016.  Tupou recorded 45 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2.0 Sacks for a defense that ranked 19th overall in the nation last year.  He ate up space and filled lanes, which is something the Redskins 3-4 defense has sorely lacked since the departure of Terrance Knighton.  There may be some questions as to why Colorado still managed to give up over 4 yards per rush with Tupou on the line, and there was that issue in the Spring of 2015 that got Tupou suspended for the entire 2015 season, both of which may cause Tupou to fall to the Redskins at their last pick.  However, there are others who think that he may go in the sixth round due to his impressive production in 2016.

With the addition of Zach Brown at linebacker it would be good to add a big body that could take care of blockers up front to allow the middle linebackers to do what they do best.  Josh Tupou would be able to do just that, and it would give the defensive line some depth, and possibly a part time starter that could be used to help the defense on inside run plays.  His presence could also force teams to double up in the middle leaving more one-on-one blocks on the edges for pass rushers like Ryan Kerrigan.  His past may drop him to the seventh round and the Redskins should take a flyer on him if he is available at the end of the draft.  The Redskins could go with pretty much any position you can name at this pick, but the defensive line needs depth at nose tackle and Tupou is the right man for the job.     

Tomorrow we will preview the other pick the Redskins have in the seventh round at 220th overall.

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.