Washington Redskins: 5 draft prospects who could start right away

Who doesn’t like an immediate starter?

There are several draft prospects within the range of the Washington Redskins’ draft picks who could start right away at the next level.

The Redskins, possessing several holes on both offense and defense, could use an influx of such talent in the upcoming draft.

Which 2018 NFL Draft prospects would provide the Washington Redskins with the ability to start on day one? Turn the page and take a look?

No. 5 –  G Will Hernandez – UTEP

The buzz has been building around UTEP offensive guard Will Hernandez. The small school prospect hasn’t quite amassed the reputation of a Day 1 starter, but at Senior Bowl practices, he has stood out as a solid blocker with promising potential. For the Washington Redskins, who have a gap at left guard, he could be a perfect fit.

Hernandez, 6-foot-2, 340, started 49 straight games for the UTEP Miners at left guard. Although his team went 0-12 in 2017, Hernandez was far from the problem. He consistently out-muscled opposing defenders, and his efforts were enough to get him noticed as a possible Day 2 pick.

This kind of production is nothing new. Per Mark Chichester of Pro Football Focus, Hernandez was rated as the best highest graded guard of the 2016 College Football campaign, better than 2017 draft picks Forrest Lamp, Dan Feeney, and Taylor Moton. He was graded as elite in both pass blocking and run blocking, and he garnered a reputation for himself as a brutish mauler with tenacious hands and surprising quickness.

Hernandez’s early performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama has only reinforced that judgement. Hernandez has dominated in both run and pass blocking. Right at the point of attack, he locks down the defender with his hands, and he has the strength to keep them outside the pocket. In one rep, he grabbed the defender and watched the defender run himself in a circle around the entire pocket. Few have the strength, or the quickness, to best Hernandez at the start of the play, where it matters most.

By extension, Hernandez is a compelling prospect for the Washington Redskins. He was projected as a Day 2 pick before the Senior Bowl, and afterward, he may slide into Round 1. If he manages to drop to the Washington Redskins pick in Round 2, or if the Redskins trade back, he would be an excellent selection. He’s a player who can come in and play better than Shawn Lauvao right away.

No. 4 – WR James Washington – Oklahoma State

As a former tennis player, I’m partial to James Washington, who also happens to have a tennis background. Tennis players need quick, precise feet and exceptional lateral quickness to move around on the court. They need hand-eye coordination, endurance, and laser focus to compete for the win.

How many boxes did that summary check for a wide receiver?

Well, whatever boxes were left unchecked, go ahead and check them anyway. Because James Washington makes the grade.

Washington played for four years at the University of Oklahoma State, accumulating 4472 yards and 39 touchdowns over that span. His production increased each year, with his best year coming in 2017, when he logged 1584 yards and 13 touchdowns. Behind the arm of Mason Rudolph, Washington turned heads, and he’s doing the same at the Senior Bowl.

Early on, Washington has been the best wide receiver at the Senior Bowl practices, hands down. He’s displayed Garcon-like physicality after the catch, and he can create separation as well. With Terrelle Pryor all but out the door, Washington could start right away opposite from Josh Doctson, with Jamison Crowder working in the slot and Ryan Grant returning as receiver depth. Among others, Washington is a must-watch player in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

No. 3 – QB Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma

This pick is somewhat obvious, but nonetheless enticing.

Baker Mayfield is a very exciting quarterback prospect. There are questions surrounding his height, as well as his impending transition from Big 12 football to the NFL. But regardless of the knocks on Mayfield, he’s a very solid prospect, and he’s shown exactly that during Senior Bowl practices.

Mayfield has always been known as an incredibly accurate passer with mobility and an infectious competitive spirit. The first round buzz around the Heisman Trophy winner has been building, and he’s been eye candy for scouts at the Senior Bowl, separating himself as the clear No. 1 quarterback there.

In the Senior Bowl later today, Mayfield will get to showcase his talents one last time on the football field before the draft festivities continue at the NFL Combine. Even if he puts on a show, there’s a chance he could drop to No. 13, due to his size and other team needs. If so, the Washington Redskins, who may be in need of a new quarterback, could get an immediate starter then and there.

No. 2 – RB Rashaad Penny – San Diego State

Rashaad Penny is a superb talent at running back. And for the Washington Redskins, who have a critical void at that same position, Penny could work toward starting as the workhorse back right away.

At 5-foot-11, 220, Penny has the prototypical size of a workhorse. He’s small and nimble enough to extend plays with his agility, but he’s big enough to muscle defenders around and stay on his feet through contact. In an article detailing dark horses at each position in this year’s draft, I had this to say about the San Diego State running back:

"Almost instantly recognizable when watching the tape is Penny’s burst at the line of scrimmage. He has stellar vision when starting out his runs, and although he can work on his patience, he makes the most out of every hole he chooses. His burst carries him through with enough momentum to shed off arm tackles, and he has the agility and reaction quickness to change direction in the blink of an eye and keep the run alive. Penny is, to put it simply, a big play machine."

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Penny’s production and potential will place him firmly as a Day 2 prospect for most scouts. For the Washington Redskins, instant starters at running back don’t come by often, and anywhere on Day 2 is fair game to pick up this gem.

No. 1 – DL Vita Vea – Washington

For Vita Vea to be selected by the Washington Redskins, versatility is key.

The Washington Redskins run a base 3-4 scheme, but they often divert into nickel packages, omitting the need for a true nose tackle on every play. Thus, versatility among personnel is an important commodity, and Vita Vea of the Washington Huskies would provide that and more.

Vea, 6-foot-5, 340, has the sheer size to overwhelm any lineman that comes his way. But don’t be fooled by this and think he’s slow. Vea has devastating burst at the line, and his motor runs high for the entire play. His physical traits are beyond dominant, and he’s shown that he can provide an impact anywhere on the line.

If Vea is available at No. 13, he could potentially be the final piece in the rebuilding of the Redskins’ defensive line. With Matt Ioannidis, Jonathan Allen, and Vita Vea all rotating in at defensive tackle in nickel schemes, and with Vea serving as a nose tackle in base 3-4, the defense would have a constantly rotating roster of young, exciting defensive linemen. Couple this with the continued development of Anthony Lanier, and you have a unit to be feared.

Next: 7 prospects to watch during the Senior Bowl today

These five players are just several who could start for the Washington Redskins, but in reality, nothing is set in stone. Every draft has players that fall, but emerge on the most prestigious stage in all of sports. The next sneak peek at these players is the Senior Bowl, which takes place at 3:00 PM EST today. Make sure you don’t miss a second of it!