2017 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins Viewer Guide – Day One

The NFL Draft is closer than it’s ever been. Tonight, the teams of the NFL could change the course of their franchise with one pick. The Washington Redskins are no exception. Faced with the daunting task of not only making the leap, but also staying on top, the Redskins cannot let their first-round pick, or any pick, go to waste.

With the NFC East on the rise, the Redskins are fighting to retain their relevance. After their NFC Championship run in 2015, there was hope for sustained success. They performed adequately last year, but failed to make the playoffs. Improvement was expected last year, but it was not attained.

Now, with the franchise seemingly on a tipping point, improvement isn’t expected. It’s necessary. Washington starts the quest for improvement tonight, on day one of the NFL Draft.

Here’s a rundown of what to watch for on day one of the NFL Draft for the burgundy and gold:

• With the uncertainty surrounding Kirk Cousins and his future, the Redskins may opt to draft a quarterback relatively early. A blockbuster trade in the first-round is not expected, but it’s still a possibility for a Redskins’ team who can’t find a safe way out of the Cousins conundrum. The team visited with Mitchell Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes. That alone is enough to speculate.
• If no trade occurs, remember the name Nathan Peterman for day two. The Pittsburgh product has repeatedly drawn comparisons to Cousins, and some call him the steal of the draft at the quarterback position. He was recently named the best mid-round fit for the Redskins by Pro Football Focus, courtesy of ESPN, and he has the accuracy and intangibles that Gruden values at the quarterback position.
• Two running backs expected to go in the first have often been associated with the Redskins: FSU’s Dalvin Cook and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey. Although both possess explosive talent, Cook comes with some concerns on the field and off the field. He recently made my list of prospects to avoid, although the Redskins could see him in a different light. They’ve repeatedly expressed their desire for an upgrade from Robert Kelley, and both Cook and McCaffrey would provide them with this. Watch these two prospects as the first round progresses.
• Don’t be surprised to see some type of trade. A blockbuster trade into the top five is unlikely, but the Redskins could trade down to acquire extra picks if they don’t feel comfortable with the value of their options at No. 17. We saw them do this last year, and we could see them do it again.
• The Redskins have also been rumored to have serious interest in linebackers Haason Reddick and Jarrad Davis. Both of these players could be available by No. 17, but if Reddick goes off the board before that pick, keep an eye on Jarrad Davis. Davis isn’t expected to go off until the late first or early second. Consequently, you could be looking at the next member of the Washington Redskins.
• Although the Redskins don’t seem to see cornerback as a position of need, watch the name Adoree Jackson in the first round of the draft. Jackson has impressive athletic ability, and our own Jacob Camenker picked him as a dark horse for the Redskins’ first round pick.

Next: Prospects the Redskins Should Avoid in the First Round

There’s a number of different directions the Redskins could take with their first-round pick. Make sure you tune in on Thursday night to watch the NFL Draft and see who they take.