Washington Redskins pre-2018 NFL Draft roster analysis
By Ian Cummings
Defensive End
Starters: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith
Reserves: Pernell McPhee, Ryan Anderson, Alex McAlister, Pete Robertson, Cassanova McKinzy
At defensive end, we have one of the better edge rushers of the last decade on one side, and one of the more exciting up-and-coming players on the other. So why should we even consider an edge rusher in the first or second round?
In football, rotations mean everything now. Keeping players fresh and able to contribute to their fullest potential helps ensure that your squad is in the best possible condition to win. This is how the Eagles won the Super Bowl last year; with rotations and depth.
At defensive end, the Washington Redskins need depth, especially after losing Trent Murphy and Junior Galette. Behind Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith, there is recently signed veteran Pernell McPhee, underwhelming 2017 second-round pick Ryan Anderson, and a small assortment of developmental players: Alex McAlister, Peter Robertson, who is mainly a special teams contributor, and Casanova McKinzy.
Those developmental players have potential. Alex McAlister, in particular, is a name that people should watch. Coming out of college, he had talent, but some character concerns hurt his stock. He could surprise people this spring.
For now, however, let’s act as if none of those players will make the final roster. In this scenario, the Washington Redskins can stand to add another player. And in the 2018 edge crop, there is plenty of talent. Harold Landry is likely a player who will be available in Round 1, but later on, players like Duke Ejiofor, Uchenna Nwosu, and Arden Key, who the Washington Redskins met with on a visit, could be available and ripe for the taking as well. No matter the case, the Washington Redskins would do well to add a talented edge rusher before Round 6. The world won’t end if they don’t. But it could hurt them down the road.