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Redskins Mocks: Mel Kiper Jr. has team selecting quarterback in first mock

By Jacob Camenker

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball down field in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball down field in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins could end up needing a quarterback this offseason. In his first mock, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the team taking a quarterback.

So much about the Washington Redskins offseason will be decided once there is a decision made on Kirk Cousins. Right now, so little is known about the direction of the squad, as the fate of Cousins is not yet known. For that reason, many are thinking that the Redskins could end up targeting a quarterback in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

This would make a lot of sense, but only really if Cousins leaves. The Redskins don’t have a true successor in place, as they let Nate Sudfeld go prior to the 2017 season. He may not have been the answer, but he was younger and had more potential than current backup Colt McCoy. Regardless, the team needs young quarterbacking talent, and unless they re-sign Cousins, they will consider the top five quarterbacks with the No. 13 pick.

Right now, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is projecting the Redskins to take a quarterback. He mentioned the uncertainty surrounding Cousins in his first mock, and also said the following about the player he had them selecting, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

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"If Cousins walks, there’s no ready-made replacement. They would have to scan the free-agent market or draft a quarterback. Don’t count out the Heisman Trophy winner [Mayfield] being taken this high. He is going to get a chance to impress scouts at the Senior Bowl, and I know they’re interested in seeing how he performs. If Washington keeps Cousins, inside linebacker is a clear position of need."

Landing Mayfield at the No. 13 pick would be a major get. It’s possible that Mayfield could be one of the better quarterbacks in this class. His skill set, with great ball placement, a smaller frame, and merely decent arm strength, is reminiscent of Drew Brees. However, Mayfield also has a visible, on-field competitive edge that proves that he desperately wants to be a winner. At times, this has led him to get in trouble, but that intensity could rub off on teammates and create a winning culture. And the Redskins would definitely need that as long as Jay Gruden, an apparently poor motivator, is the head coach.

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It’s also worth noting that Kiper projected Josh Allen as the No. 1 overall pick in this draft and it seems that he thinks Mayfield is clearly behind the top three guys. Still, it’s quite possible that Mayfield or Allen is available when the Redskins are picking, and maybe the team could end up in range for Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen if the draft takes an unexpected turn. Either way, the Redskins are in good position to land a franchise quarterback if Cousins does depart.

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