NFL Draft: DT Malik McDowell Reportedly Visiting Washington Redskins

There is no doubt that the Washington Redskins could use some help on their defensive line. They are hosting Malik McDowell on a visit Wednesday.

Last season, the top weakness of the Washington Redskins was their defensive line. Possessing only one true starter, the unit struggled to get push up front, and had major issues in run defense. Often, the defensive line allowed the opponent’s running backs to gash the defense and that contributed to the Redskins poor run defense throughout the season. There was no question that they needed help this offseason, and they have tried to get it.

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Despite losing Chris Baker, the team has added a couple of new 3-4 ends in his place. Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee are both primary run stuffers who should help the unit. While neither is as talented as Baker, they will help out the team. However, the Redskins are still looking for another lineman, and Malik McDowell could be a fit.

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McDowell is visiting the Redskins on Wednesday, according NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. McDowell is a 6-foot-6, 276 pound prospect who should be a solid fit in a 3-4 defense. While his best fit would currently be at the end position, McDowell could pack on some extra muscle and work as a lighter weight nose tackle for the team. Still, in order to play that position he would have to weight 300 pounds, so that may be asking a lot.

Regardless, bringing in McDowell on a visit is a good move. The Michigan State product is a great athlete and really good football player, but his stock has been slipping a bit. Some teams are concerned about his work ethic, and feel that he should have been more productive than he was as a junior in 2016. For that reason, McDowell increasingly looks like a Day 2 prospect.

If McDowell is on the board with the Redskins second round pick, No. 49 overall, they could certainly consider adding him. He would bring a potentially versatile piece to their lineup, and he could end up being a starter in the near future. Of course, McDowell would have to pass all of their tests first to make sure that he is willing to work hard to be an NFL player. That is likely why they brought him in on a visit. To see if any red flags popped up during an interview.

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At the end of the day, this news means that McDowell is firmly on the Redskins radar for the 2017 NFL Draft. It should surprise nobody to see him end up wearing the burgundy and gold during the next NFL season, provided that he makes it to their second round pick.

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