Redskins: Examining possible scenarios for the team’s first round pick

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks up a pass intended for Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks up a pass intended for Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

How the Redskins get Da’Ron Payne

In the event that Fitzpatrick and Vea are both off the board, the Redskins are probably going to go with another talent on the defensive line. That would be Da’Ron Payne of Alabama. Payne had long been considered one of the favorites to go with the No. 13 pick, and Vea only recently moved ahead of him in the pecking order for the Redskins.

It’s looking like it will be easy for the Redskins to land Payne, as no team in the top 12 appears to be zeroing in on him as a target. For that reason, he should be on the board at No. 13.

However, the bigger point here will be how Vea and Fitzpatrick come off the board. It’s looking like Payne is third among those options, so both will have to be off the board for the Redskins to take them. And how might that happen? It would probably involved the 49ers and the Dolphins, as can be seen from this version of the mock.

More from Riggo's Rag

8. Chicago Bears: LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech

9. San Francisco 49ers: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

10. Oakland Raiders: S Derwin James, Florida State

11. Miami Dolphins: NT Vita Vea, Washington

12. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Rosen, UCLA

13. Washington Redskins: NT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama

For those wondering, Roquan Smith probably wouldn’t get consideration here from the Redskins. He’s an immensely talented linebacker, but the team has other more pressing needs at the moment. So, he falls out of the top 13 in this circumstance and Payne is the pick.

Payne would be a solid pick here, as his athletic ability on the defensive line would do a lot to patch the need the team has at nose tackle. So, it’s possible that he could be the selection here, though it is looking less likely than it did just a week ago.