Washington Redskins to host LSU edge rusher Arden Key to a visit

The Washington Redskins have other needs, but they’re not letting that disillusion them from the lack of depth on the edge.

After letting Trent Murphy and Junior Galette test the free agent market, the Washington Redskins, equipped with only Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith as starters, and 2017 second-round pick Ryan Anderson as a reserve, signed former Bears edge defender Pernell McPhee to a deal.

The move gives the Washington Redskins some experience on the edge, but depth is still a concern, and Preston Smith is due for an extension soon. If the team ends up not having the requisite funds to lock up Smith, then they’ll need insurance for the future. Thus, they’ve taken it upon themselves to host an incoming rookie edge rusher with potential: LSU junior Arden Key.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/982987712696389633

Of course, potential is one of the few things that Arden Key has to back up his draft stock. Standing at 6-foot-6, 240, Key has impressive size, and he has the length to keep the offensive lineman’s hands off him as he shoots to the quarterback.

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While Key has potential, however, there are concerns surrounding the former LSU Tiger. His production dropped significantly from 2016 to 2017, going from 11.0 sacks to just 4.0. His availability was a concern, and ahead of the draft, his stock is volatile, due to pressing worries about his character and his discipline off the field. Here’s what an NFL source had to say about Key, per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

"You come back to the old question of what will a player do with more time and more money as a pro? Key’s background tells you it could be a big problem for him. Not only that, but he had seven sacks over the last two years where he didn’t have to beat the tackle."

Had Key been able to go to the NFL Draft last year, as a sophomore, he would have likely been a top ten pick. Now, however, after a down 2017 season, along with billowing character concerns, Key is slipping down the draft boards. Current projections peg him as a late first-round option who has a good chance of slipping into the second round.

Key’s current draft range does not match the Washington Redskins’ territory; The Redskins have the No. 13 pick in Round 1 and the No. 12 pick in Round 2. Key’s likely landing spot rests within those two picks, which means, to pick him, the Washington Redskins have three options. They can reach for him at No. 13, they can hope he drops to No. 44, or they can trade, either down at No. 13, or up at No. 44.

None of these options should be preferred, however, to grab an unpredictable edge rusher with character concerns, especially when we have two starters at the position. Furthermore, when considering the depth at edge rusher in this draft class, it is clear that the Washington Redskins can make far better moves. If Key drops further, however, perhaps to Round 4, the Washington Redskins would have to be interested, at the very least.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks dominate top five

Hosting Arden Key does not mean the Washington Redskins are any more interested in him than they are in other prospects. They are simply doing their due diligence. In the coming weeks, more prospects will be the subject of meetings with the team. We won’t truly know what the Washington Redskins plan to do until that plan has already played out.

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