Washington Redskins post-trade seven round mock draft

The trickle-down of the Washington Redskins’ trade for Alex Smith will linger on draft day.

In the aftermath of the trade, the Washington Redskins have their quarterback. Alex Smith. Soon to be 34 years old, and locked down for four years, Smith is too young to draft a developmental quarterback, but too old to forget the position completely. So that’s cool.

Among other impacts, the Washington Redskins kind of need a cornerback now. This new need comes in the wake of the team’s gift-wrapping Kendall Fuller and shipping him to the Kansas City Chiefs in the same trade.

Losing Fuller hurts, and thinking about it almost two weeks later hurts even more. But it’s long past time to make peace with the loss of his playmaking presence. And it’s time to look for his replacement.

The Washington Redskins get that, and more, in this mock draft, our first seven (minus one) round mock draft since the trade that shook the NFL landscape. Who do the Washington Redskins grab to fill Kendall Fuller’s shoes? Who do they acquire to re-invigorate the Alex Smith-led offense? Turn the page, and find out.

Round 1, Pick 13 – DB Minkah Fitzpatrick – Alabama

Talk has been building around a potential slip for Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick has been hailed as one of the most polished draft prospects in the nation, but recently, due to speculation suggesting an early run of quarterbacks, Fitzpatrick could very well slip to pick No. 13.

Fitzpatrick, a junior, made a name for himself as one of the most active pass defenders in college football. Over his three-year career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, he totaled nine interceptions, 24 pass deflections, five sacks,16.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.

Fitzpatrick, 6-foot-1, 202, was a key cog in the Alabama defense, providing the team with not just a skilled player, but a leader and a fierce competitor as well. Fitzpatrick is the first one to the practice field, and the last one to leave. A good comparison for him, in this sense, would be newly-minted Redskins’ safety D.J. Swearinger.

Were he to slip, Fitzpatrick would fill two needs for the Washington Redskins. His versatility allows him to play anywhere in the secondary. The Washington Redskins need depth at both cornerback and safety, and so Fitzpatrick could fill either role at a moment’s notice.

The likelihood of a draft-day drop for Fitzpatrick is not great, but last year, we said the same thing about another Alabama defender named Jonathan Allen, and he was available at No. 17 for the Washington Redskins to grab him.

Round 2, Pick 12 – RB Sony Michel – Georgia

There’s no two ways about it. The Washington Redskins need a running back.

Chris Thompson does well serving a specific role, but aside from him, there are no options that bring confidence with their ball carrying. Rob Kelley has a visible ceiling as little more than a short-yardage back, and Samaje Perine appears to be a similar player. There’s time for that to change, but first impressions aren’t often wrong in the NFL.

Banking on any of the other running backs would be a tough sell for the Washington Redskins, but drafting Georgia running back Sony Michel in the second round would remedy that possibility.

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Sony Michel, 5-foot-11, 215, is a versatile back with the potential to be an every-down player at the next level. His quick feet, sharp cuts, and stellar vision make him a weapon at the line of scrimmage that the Washington Redskins haven’t had at the position for some time. Here’s what I had to say about Michel in my pre-Championship game evaluation of him:

"Michel is known as a big play threat at Georgia, and in terms of dynamic ability, he’s one of the best running backs in the class. He’s a versatile player, able to make plays out of the backfield and through the air. ‘Everything bagel’ backs like [Damien] Harris and Michel are rare in the NFL today, and the Washington Redskins could certainly use one."

Michel would fit seamlessly into the Washington Redskins’ offense. Jay Gruden likes to set up his offense by running the ball, and he also likes to give his running backs opportunities through the air. Michel can take on both tasks, and with proficiency. It’s not a stretch to say that he could start on day one.

Round 4, Pick 13 – DT Tim Settle – Virginia Tech

Players like Da’Ron Payne, Vita Vea, and Taven Bryan were still available at pick No. 13 in this simulation. But the defensive line class this year is incredibly deep, and so the decision was made to wait later to pick one. Fortunately, Virginia Tech defensive tackle Tim Settle was available at this spot.

Hailed as a Day 2 or an early Day 3 pick, Tim Settle, 6-foot-4, 335, is a looming bruiser on the defensive line. Settle declared as a redshirt sophomore this year, forgoing his final two years of NCAA eligibility. It’s tough to blame him. Because his resume speaks for itself.

Settle didn’t put up massive stats in his short time as the Hokies’ starter. But the skills he showed on the field stand out. Settle’s size is enormous, but he is far from slow. Settle has the burst to get a quick jump on the snap, and he has the agility to stay upright and use a variety of different moves against his opponent. Very few 335-pound linemen can move like Settle. Very few.

If Settle lasts this long, which is a possibility, given his lack of experience and consistent statistical production, the Washington Redskins should not hesitate to swipe him up. His versatility allows him to line up as a 3-technique against a guard, and his size would enable him to replace Ziggy Hood as the fill-in nose tackle, when necessary.

Round 5, Pick 12 – DB Siran Neal – Jacksonville State

The buzz around this defensive back has been growing over the last few months. In Round 5, grabbing more depth and potential in the secondary would be a very smart move for the Washington Redskins. And that’s exactly what Siran Neal brings.

Neal, 6-foot-1, 205, is a physical cornerback who never backs down from a challenge. Hailing from the small school of Jacksonville State, it took some time for his name to catch on. But now that it has, he is essentially a lock to get drafted.

Neal’s footwork at the start of the play allow him to stay with his man, and with a background as a linebacker, Neal uses physicality at the right moments, as you can see in the video below. Look at his quick cut as the receiver breaks left. Look at the play he makes on the ball. How fluid his upper body moves with his feet. With just one year as a cornerback under his belt, Neal is just beginning to learn the position. Hence, he brings tantalizing potential to the NFL game.

The possible pairing of Siran Neal with Washington Redskins defensive backs coach Torrian Gray is hard to ignore. Gray made wonders out of players like Kendall Fuller and Montae Nicholson early in their careers, and the belief is that Fabian Moreau will undergo a similar progression this season.

With Neal, the Washington Redskins’ cornerback unit would essentially be set for the near future. Neal is a young player who has a treasure trove of potential as a cornerback at the next level. All he needs is a little professional coaching to help him take the necessary steps. With the Washington Redskins, he’d have that.

Round 6, Pick 14 – LB Fred Warner – Brigham Young

With all prospects listed in these mocks, there is a chance that they might not be available at a given pick, or that they might be available even later. With Brigham Young’s Fred Warner, the former is true.

The linebacker’s stock has been rising over the last few weeks, and now, he is in the conversation as early as the third round. But other scouts have him going later on Day 3. As of now, there is a lacking consensus, but scouts are higher on him than this pick may reflect.

Warner, 6-foot-3, 227, is a player with massive production to boast about. During his college days, he flashed as a do-it-all linebacker, playing with intensity and exceptional instincts. Warner is an athletic specimen who can turn on a dime. His lateral quickness allows him to shed blockers and make plays in run defense, while his speed and length allow him to play in coverage as well.

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Warner is a rather complete prospect, and he shined at the Senior Bowl. Still, however, Warner has a chance to drop this far. He was inconsistent as a tackler in his college days, and he played in more of a hybrid role. He may be fast as a linebacker, but if his combine grades don’t amount to that of a standard safety hybrid, then Warner could slip.

In the sixth round, this would be a monumental steal for the Washington Redskins. Warner is a player with starting potential, and depending on what happens with Zach Brown, the former Cougar could take on an increased role from day one. His college tape tells us he’d be ready for it.

Round 7, Pick 13 – WR Daurice Fountain – Northern Iowa

In Round 7, the Washington Redskins finally address their need at wide receiver, picking up Northern Iowa product Daurice Fountain.

Fountain, 6-foot-1, 209, has adequate size as a receiver, and he can serve a multitude of key roles. He isn’t yet ready to maintain the role of No. 1 receiver, but Fountain has the burst, physicality, and athleticism to quickly become that kind of player.

Fountain would provide a unique combination of speed and size to the Washington Redskins’ receiving corps. He’s not necessarily a guy who can take the top off of a defense, but he does a very good job creating separation, and he goes after jump balls, using his hands and his length to pry the ball away from defenders. Our own Jacob Camenker provided this assessment of Fountain after the East-West Shrine Game:

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"The Redskins could use a player like Fountain. While he might not be a No. 1 receiver, he could be a No. 2 guy and would add a speed element to the team that they desperately need. Ideally, the team could get Fountain and use him across from Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder to create a versatile receiving corps. It’s also possible that he could be a No. 4 receiver that rotates in for certain speed packages."

Fountain is a receiver that provides potential to the Washington Redskins. His skills may be a bit raw at the moment, and at Northern Iowa, he may have lacked the standard competition of other wide receivers, but he has the well-rounded game to quickly develop and become a key cog in the Redskins’ receiving unit. His skills as a return man on special teams only solidify his standing with this pick. The Washington Redskins need to pick a receiver at some point. And they could do far worse than Daurice Fountain.

Round 7, Pick 23 – TE Ethan Wolf – Tennessee

With Jordan Reed still recovering from an injury, and Vernon Davis set to turn 34 in due time, the selection of a tight end in this year’s draft is of at least moderate concern. In Round 7, a good option at the position would be Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf.

Wolf has flown under the radar in the draft process thus far, but he offers stellar potential as a tight end at the next level. At 6-foot-6, 258, Wolf’s size is easily top-tier, and he has the length and athleticism to use that size to his advantage.

The only problem is that, over his four-year career with the Volunteers, Wolf has never been able to put his game together. He’s been a consistent producer, ranging around 22 to 24 receptions a year. But he never broke out as a go-to option, despite his enticing physical traits, and he failed to maintain consistency as a run blocker.

Wolf’s lack of physicality in the blocking game will turn many scouts away, but his potential should not be ignored. With the right coach, Wolf can be molded as a valuable weapon in the receiving game.

For the Washington Redskins, who already have a stellar blocking tight end in Jeremy Sprinkle, the addition of Wolf would be a smart move. That way, the Redskins would have two young tight ends who are proficient in different areas, and with starters in place ahead of those two, they would have time to develop and hone their skills. Wolf can learn from Vernon Davis, and with some time to learn and develop, he could become a massive steal in the seventh round.

Recap

In this draft class, the Washington Redskins would take home plenty of talent. They would effectively solidify the position of cornerback with Fitzpatrick and Neal, an area that was put into question following the trade of Kendall Fuller. In this draft, the Washington Redskins also grab a big defensive lineman, a skilled running back with NFL traits, and a linebacker steal in the sixth round. The Alex Smith trade hurt in some respects, but with these selections, the Washington Redskins’ defense can quickly rebound.

The two biggest omissions from this group are, quite obviously, quarterback and offensive line. Multiple opportunities with given to draft a quarterback like Kyle Lauletta, and while having him on the team would be a tremendous achievement, Alex Smith is not far along enough in his career arc to draft his successor. The drafted quarterback would sit for at least three years, and even then, it’s not a given that Smith’s play drops off enough to warrant a switch.

Thus, the selection of developmental quarterback was avoided, in order to grab talented players like Siran Neal and Tim Settle in the middle rounds. Also missing is the acquisition of an offensive lineman. Yes, it is a need. But it is a need the Washington Redskins can fill through free agency, and a need they can also remedy partially by re-signing Tony Bergstrom. The offensive line is closer than one might think. Only one starter and some more depth pieces are needed. Thus, from a standpoint of necessity, it was passed over in this mock.

The loss of a third round pick hurt immensely, in this sense. Many talented players went off the boards between Round 2 and 4, including some interior offensive linemen that would have fit well in the Washington Redskins scheme. Still, the players selected in this mock help. Sony Michel, in particular, is a player who can take some of the burden off of an offensive line with his lateral quickness, burst, and all-around ability. That’s something Redskins fans haven’t seen from their running backs in some time.

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Agree or disagree with our picks? Feel free to provide your opinions and insights in the comments below! The draft is fast approaching, so be sure to stick with Riggo’s Rag. We’ll keep you in the loop.