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

Jacob Camenker

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)

The Washington Redskins are getting ready for the 2018 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at some scenarios for how the first round might play out.

The Washington Redskins are looking to find an impact player in the opening round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But right now, the first 12 picks are very hard to predict. The team has to be focusing on figuring out different scenarios they may face, and in this piece, we are going to look at a few different options for the team.

For the purposes of this article, the first seven picks in this draft will be the following players.

1. Cleveland Browns: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State

2. Denver Broncos (via NYG): QB Sam Darnold, USC

3. New York Jets: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming

5. New York Giants (via DEN): G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

6. Indianapolis Colts: DE Bradley Chubb, NC State

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State

It’s possible that there could be some variety in there, those seven seem likely to be off the board by the time the Redskins are picking. So, with that said, it’s time to explore a few different players the Redskins could target, and what the draft will need to look like for the team to get certain first round prospects.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB51) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

How the Redskins get Minkah Fitzpatrick

As it stands, it seems like the Redskins would take Minkah Fitzpatrick with their first round pick if he’s available. Right now, it’s looking tough for that to be a reality for them.

There are a lot of teams in the top 10 who have interest in Fitzpatrick. Notably, the San Francisco 49ers have been tied to Fitzpatrick, and they could consider taking him with the No. 9 pick. If he doesn’t go there, the Raiders and the Dolphins would also consider the Alabama product. So, it would take a bit for Fitzpatrick to fall.

That said, it’s not out of the question. The 49ers are interested in linebackers at the No. 9 spot, and in the event that the Bears trade out of the No. 8 spot, the team will have a chance to pick either Tremaine Edmunds or Roquan Smith. Whichever of the two the 49ers don’t take will likely go to the Dolphins. Then, the Raiders would just have to avoid taking Fitzpatrick for him to get to the pick.

How the Redskins get Vita Vea

If the Fitzpatrick is off the board, the Redskins will look to address a need on the defensive line. It’s unknown whether or not the team prefers Da’Ron Payne or Vita Vea. However, it has recently been reported that Vea to the Redskins is the “worst kept secret in the league” so it’s looking more like Vea would be favored.

However, getting Vea may not be easy. There are a couple of teams that could opt to select him before the Redskins get the chance. Both the Raiders and the Dolphins have been tied to Vea, and it’s possible that either could deem the 6-foot-4, 347 pound the best fit for their respective squads.

For the Raiders and the Dolphins to both pass on Vea for sure, they will each have to land another quality defensive players. Here’s a look at how picks 8-13 would shake out in this scenario.

8. Chicago Bears: LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech

9. San Francisco 49ers: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

10. Oakland Raiders: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia

11. Miami Dolphins: S Derwin James, Florida State

12. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Rosen, UCLA

13. Washington Redskins: NT Vita Vea, Washington

If this happens, the Redskins would probably be happy with the outcome. Vea is going to be a great run stuffer at the next level and if they spend a first rounder on him, they obviously believe that he will be a three-down player. So, getting Vea would be solid and while it may not be as good as getting Fitzpatrick, it could be a fine option.

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.

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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.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Other options

There are several other options that the Redskins could target with this pick, but it seems that the three scenarios are the most likely, based on what their targets are.

Derwin James is a player who could slip. But, it seems likely that he will be off the board before the Redskins pick. There are some teams picking in the top 10 that prefer him to Fitzpatrick, so it’s possible that he goes before the Alabama product. So, that’s why he’s not among the top considerations.

Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds could also be options, but only Smith is likely to slip. And given that the Redskins are mostly set at the linebacker position, they probably won’t spend a first round pick on a player there.

Finally, Derrius Guice has been mentioned as an option at 13, but that’s way too high for him. Guice is a late-first, early-second round prospect who will go in the 25-40 range. If the Redskins want Guice, they could opt to trade down in Round 1 or trade up in Round 2.

Of course, there is always a chance that the team could reverse course, or a team in the top 12 could surprise, but for now, the three options of Fitzpatrick, Vea, and Payne are the best. And the options outlined here are a bit less realistic.

Next: Redskins 7-Round mock with options for each pick

We’re getting closer to the start of the 2018 NFL Draft, and soon these questions will be answered. But for now, these are a few scenarios to keep an eye on.

Jacob Camenker