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Redskins: 5 best draft prospects to target with first round pick

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

There are some obstacles in getting Quenton Nelson to land with the Redskins. The first is that he is almost certainly going to be a top 10 pick. He is one of the best guard prospects to come into the NFL in the past decade, and he figures to be a plug-and-play starter much like Brandon Scherff was his first year as Washington. The other issue revolves around how Jay Gruden views his personnel.

In the past, Gruden hasn’t appeared to put much stock in the guard position. Just over a year ago, Gruden referenced that the team hadn’t gotten much out of their first round picks. Now, this is not to say that Gruden thought Scherff was a poor performer, but he made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t view guard as a very valuable position. Perhaps that was why he was content to stick with Shawn Lauvao as a starter over the course of the past four years.

However, Gruden’s opinion on guards is not necessarily correct. In the modern NFL, interior pressure for defensive lines is as important as ever. That’s why players like Aaron Donald, a great pass rushing five technique, is winning defensive player of the year. More dynamic, interior defensive linemen are beating guards to collapse the pocket and put immense pressure on quarterbacks. The only way to counter that is with strong guards and centers.

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The Redskins appear to have two positions set. Scherff is a perennial Pro Bowler while rookie center Chase Roullier looked good at times last year. That said, left guard is still a gaping hole, and it’s one that Nelson could easily fill if he makes it to their pick. On the off chance that his positional value causes him to fall, Gruden may have to rethink his philosophy and consider giving Alex Smith a clean pocket.

Nelson has the ability to make a Zack Martin like difference for the Redskins. He could complete a fairly strong offensive line and make the unit a pretty good looking force. While he may not be a favorite right now, he definitely deserves more consideration as the draft draws nearer.

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