The 2018 NFL Draft is coming up. Here’s a look at another Washington Redskins centered mock.
The days of reckoning are almost here. The 2018 NFL Draft is just a couple of days away, and teams are preparing to add new players to their squad to finish off most of their offseason additions.
Among these squads are the Washington Redskins. Armed with eight picks, and a boatload of draft capital from the 2019 offseason, the Redskins should be big players during the draft in one way or another. They are situated at a critical point with the No. 13 pick, and they will also be tasked with adding depth to what is already a pretty good looking roster.
With all eight of their picks, the Redskins will have options. And we are going to sort through some of them. Here’s a look at a seven-round mock for the Redskins, including players that they will pick, should pick, and a dark horse for every selection.
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.
With the First Pick
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.
Round 2, Pick 12
Will Pick: RB Ronald Jones, USC
It seems inevitable that the Redskins are going to land one of the Round 2 running backs that will be available. In fact, it’s almost set in stone that they will do so. They have been tied to numerous Day 2 guys, but it seems like Ronald Jones might be the one they have the most interest in.
Jones is a shifty runner with great elusive ability and breakaway speed. He was great at USC and he could be a three-down back in the NFL. If on the board, Jones would offer a starting option to play most snaps while allowing Chris Thompson to mix in as a change-of-pace back. But, Jones’ ability as a receiver will allow him to play in obvious passing scenarios, so that could give the team more options out of the backfield.
If Jones is on the board at 44, the team will probably take him. It’s just a matter of whether or not he’s there. As it stands, it seems like a real possibility.
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Should Pick: RB Nick Chubb, Georgia
In the event that the Redskins have to pick between Nick Chubb and Ronald Jones, I would prefer the former. Chubb runs with great physicality and he will be a true between the tackles threat at the NFL level. It’s also worth noting that Chubb has some good top-end speed and athletic ability. Had it not been for a devastating knee injury during his sophomore year, he could have been a top 15 pick in this class.
The only concern with Chubb is his inability to produce in the passing game. Sony Michel was the passing back at Georgia, and Chubb never showed much as a receiver. For that reason, he may only be a two-down starter. But, that wouldn’t bother the Redskins, who could use Thompson as the third down back. Chubb would provide the big, physical back the team has been looking for, and he would be the best to pair long-term with Thompson and Samaje Perine.
Dark Horse: G/C Billy Price, Ohio State
In the event that the Redskins eschew the running back position, they will probably go after a left guard prospect. Billy Price is a road-grade run blocker with solid abilities in all facets of the game. He was once considered to be a potential first round pick before tearing his pectoral muscle at the Combine. He might last to the middle of the second round. If he does, the Redskins will certainly consider taking him.
Round 4, Pick 9
Will Pick and Should Pick: G Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
This would be an ideal pick for the Redskins if they land a nose tackle and running back in the first two rounds. They have to find someone to challenge Arie Kouandjio for the starting left guard position, and Wyatt Teller could be the ideal candidate to do so.
Teller had a good career at Virginia Tech, but he regressed a bit in his final season with the team. That dropped him from being a potential Round 2 pick to a probable early Day 3 pick. The Redskins won’t complain, as they would take Teller in hopes of developing him into a long-term starter.
Teller has an excellent 6-foot-4, 314 pound frame and should be a plug-and-play starter. Provided that he puts forth his full effort, the team that drafts him will get a potential-packed player who could be an above average guard in the NFL. In Round 4, that’s all the team will be looking for. So, Teller would be the pick they will and should make.
Dark Horse: CB Parry Nickerson, Tulane
The Redskins really need to add some help at the slot cornerback position. Parry Nickerson is an underrated talent who could rise in the NFL draft. He blazed a 4.32 second 40-yard dash at the Combine and looks very good on tape. He could be an ideal fit as an athletic slot-man in the NFL.
However, it’s questionable whether or not Nickerson will make it here. I have a Round 3-5 grade on him, but I’m leaning towards him sneaking into the end of Day 2. If he’s available, he’s definitely the dark horse for the pick, and he may be closer to a realistic option.
Round 5, Pick 5
Will Pick: S Quin Blanding, Virginia
Quin Blanding is a polarizing safety prospect. He’s an elite tackler who never had a season with less than 115 tackles during his four years at Virginia. He should be an excellent box safety and special teams player at the next level.
However, Blanding’s lack of deep speed could limit him in coverage. He didn’t test well at the Combine regarding speed, and he doesn’t have great speed backpedaling on tape. He can move downhill very well, but he’s just not a natural pass defender.
Still, adding Blanding to serve as a hybrid safety/linebacker could be a sensible move. He could become a starter if he can get a step quicker. It’s possible that Blanding could be an option with the team’s Round 4 pick, but it’s more likely that he will slip because of coverage concerns.
Should Pick: S Dominick Sanders, Georgia
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Sanders is almost the polar opposite of Blanding. He is a great coverage safety, and he set the Georgia record with a whopping 16 career interceptions. Sanders is a true playmaker and he is being undervalued because of minor concerns about his size.
Sanders may not be the same type of tackler as Blanding, but his ability to hold up in coverage would make him a critical backup. So, if given the choice between the two at this moment, I would lean towards Sanders. But, they are two entirely different players, so it could work out well for them.
Dark Horse: DT Kendrick Norton, Miami
In the event that the Redskins pass on a nose tackle in the first two rounds, they will probably target a guy like Kendrick Norton here. Norton is a solid defensive line prospect would could play a role as a run stuffer in the Redskins defense. That said, it’s more likely that the team will address this need earlier than this point. Still, Norton can’t be counted out.
Round 5, Pick 26
Will Pick: LB Micah Kiser, Virginia
Two Virginia players in the fifth round? It’s possible. Blanding and Micah Kiser are both talented players who could be available in this round. They each have a Round 3-5 range, but if both slip, the Redskins could snap both of them up.
Kiser has been a great tackler for the Cavaliers, and he has posted at least 117 tackles in each of the past three seasons. Additionally, he was able to post 19 sacks over that time frame and demonstrated versatility as a potential edge rusher, though he’s a bit small (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) to play there full time. For the Redskins, Kiser would provide a versatile, depth option to rush the passer and play middle linebacker. Adding that type of talent at this point would be ideal for the squad.
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Should Pick: WR Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa
I would be completely fine with Kiser at this point, but I think the team should really add a receiver if given the opportunity. Daurice Fountain was excellent at the East-West Shrine Game, and he could develop into an outside receiver at the NFL level. He has the combination of size and speed that could eventually make him a quality No. 2 option. He could end up being a steal. So, the Redskins should strongly consider taking him if he’s available here. It’s unlikely that Fountain will slip to the team’s late-sixth round pick.
Dark Horse: TE Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
The Redskins could use some depth at tight end, and they need to look for a potential combination player. Fumagalli was a solid receiver at Wisconsin, averaging 46.5 catches for 563.5 yards and three scores over the course of the past two seasons. He’ll need to add a little strength to be a better blocker at the NFL level, but he could be a quality backup receiving option. Thus, he will draw interest from the team.
Round 6, Pick 31
Will Pick and Should Pick: CB Kamrin Moore, Boston College
I wanted to get a cornerback earlier in this mock, but none were particularly good values until this point. Still, the team should add some depth in the sixth round, and Boston College’s Kamrin Moore could be a solid option.
Moore comes with a lot of experience, having seen a lot of action in his four years at BC. Moore is a good tackler who should be a good special teams player at the next level. He doesn’t have great athleticism and never showed anything more than decent ability in man coverage, but he could still become a quality depth player. Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said about Moore’s fit in the NFL.
"Stocky, determined cornerback who lacks the man-to-man cover skills and ball production teams will be looking for from a draftable cornerback. However, Moore’s toughness as a tackler and experience on special teams may get him a look from zone-heavy teams looking to add competition at the nickel cornerback spot."
The Redskins could use some competition at the nickel for Orlando Scandrick. So, at this point, Moore is probably the best option for the team with their sixth round pick.
Dark Horse: WR Antonio Callaway, Florida
In the event that the Redskins decide to grab a receiver, they could be the team to take a shot on Antonio Callaway. The Florida product is one of the best receivers in this class, but he has a multitude of off-the-field issues that may cause him to go undrafted. He could be worth a shot this late, as he wouldn’t be that big of a sunk cost if he failed. Still, the team should probably take more of a sure thing at this juncture.
Round 7, Pick 13
Will Pick: TE Ethan Wolf, Tennessee
The Redskins may want to add another tight end to their team just in case Jordan Reed gets hurt again. At this point, Ethan Wolf is probably the best one on the board.
Wolf isn’t a great receiver, but he’s a big, capable target who averaged just about two catches per game during his career. He’s a really good blocker, and that is where he will make his money. Wolf wouldn’t do much more than provide depth and special teams, but in the seventh round, that’s all you can really ask for.
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Should Pick: K Daniel Carlson, Auburn
The Redskins need to fix their kicking game. Dustin Hopkins is accurate from inside of 50 yards but beyond that, he’s erratic. In order to truly become a great team, the Redskins need to find a good kicker. And Daniel Carlson could be that.
During his college career, Carlson made 80.7 percent of his field goals and never missed an extra point in 198 tries. He has a strong leg and could become a very good NFL kicker. While drafting a kicker isn’t a necessity, it would be nice for the team to bring in someone to challenge Hopkins. And with their needs mostly filled, Carlson should get a look at this juncture.
Dark Horse: EDGE Ade Aruna, Tulane
The Redskins could look to add some depth to their edge rush late in the draft. Ade Aruna only had 11 sacks during his four year college career, but he has a nice 6-foot-6, 270 pound frame and was a good run stopper. That should get him a chance to be a late-round pick.
Round 7, Pick 23
Will Pick and Should Pick: OT Jordan Mailata, Australia
With their final pick, the Redskins should focus on taking the player with the most upside in the draft. They need to find a developmental project who could either join the team or make the practice squad, and that would describe Jordan Mailata to a tee.
Mailata is a massive rugby player who decided to make the leap from Australia. Mailata has a 6-foot-8, 350 pound frame and could end up being a terrific offensive tackle in the NFL. The Redskins watched him work out and if they like what they saw, there’s a chance he could be worth a shot in Round 7. The team has taken some chances on big, athletic tackles in the past like Ty Nsekhe and John Kling, so doing it again could be a worthwhile investment.
Dark Horse: K Daniel Carlson, Auburn
The Redskins really need to get some kicker help, but they probably won’t. They should have picked Carlson with their first seventh round pick, but if they pass, they probably won’t consider him here. But still, we’ll list him as a dark horse.
Next: Redskins pre-draft roster analysis for every position
And that wraps up this mock. If the Redskins can land this haul, they will be in good shape. But, they still have a lot of options to sort through. And that’s what they will spend the next two days doing.