Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins 7-Round Mock: Will pick, should pick, and dark horse for each pick

By Jacob Camenker

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Chris Laviano #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights fumbles as he is tackled by defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 (R) and linebacker Azeem Victor #36 of the Washington Huskies on September 3, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The play was negated by a penalty. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Chris Laviano #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights fumbles as he is tackled by defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 (R) and linebacker Azeem Victor #36 of the Washington Huskies on September 3, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The play was negated by a penalty. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies reacts on the bench during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies reacts on the bench during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Round 1, Pick 13

Will Pick: NT Vita Vea, Washington

Right now, it’s seeming like Vita Vea might be the favorite for the Redskins with the No. 13 pick. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline reported that Vea to the Redskins is the “worst kept secret in the league,” so it appears that the ties there are strong. This is a sensible move, as the team does need a true nose tackle.

Vea has excellent size at 6-foot-4, 347 pounds and in surprisingly athletic. However, there are some concerns about how he will translate as a pass rusher given his slower first step. Still, he is going to be a productive pro and an excellent run stuffer at the very least.

Live Feed

BREAKING: Lamar Jackson and Ravens have a deal in place
BREAKING: Lamar Jackson and Ravens have a deal in place /

With the First Pick

  • Most first-round picks by a college in one NFL Draft? Stripe Hype
  • 3 big questions for Cleveland Browns as they approach Draft Day Dawg Pound Daily
  • Latest mock draft has Seahawks finessing for two massive prospects FanSided
  • 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis Niner Noise
  • Packers could be about to make a massive mistake in first round of draft Lombardi Ave

    • Should Pick: NT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama

    If the Redskins go the nose tackle route, the team should almost certainly go after Da’Ron Payne. Though Payne is smaller than Vea at 6-foot-2, 311 pound, he has elite athleticism. Payne was superb at the Combine and looked great during the College Football playoff as well. In the NFL, he could be a three-down player who opens up opportunities for his teammates.

    It is notable that Payne only had three sacks at Alabama, but at the same time, he did a lot to open up pass rushing lanes for other players by occupying interior linemen and bursting into the backfield with his quick feet. He has more upside, so Jim Tomsula could truly turn him into an upper echelon NFL player. For that reason, the team should favor him to Vea, though it appears they are leaning towards the Washington product right now.

    Dark Horse: RB Derrius Guice, LSU

    There are many who are crying for the Redskins to select Guice here. While Guice is a solid player and will probably be a starter at the NFL level, the value just isn’t right at No. 13 pick. He is more of a late-first, early-second round pick because of minor concerns about his maturity level.

    In terms of talent, Guice is a strong runner with good speed, but he doesn’t appear to have any truly elite skills. That’s why I have him at No. 3 on my running back big board, as he will be a good starter, but I question his ability to truly be great. For that reason, grabbing him at No. 13 is too steep a price to pay. But, the team could still surprise and pull the trigger on Guice here. Or, they could trade down.

    Other names to keep an eye on are Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James, if either falls to this pick.

    Home/Commanders Draft News