2018 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins viewer guide – Day Two

The 2018 NFL Draft continues tonight at 7:00. And the Washington Redskins still have work to do.

One key to winning in today’s NFL is having a fearsome defensive front. In Round 1, the Washington Redskins took another step toward achieving this goal by selecting Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.

Payne is relatively raw, but he gives the Washington Redskins good length and athleticism to work with, and his previous experience with former Alabama team mates Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson could help the overall chemistry of the defense. Payne also has the ability to play nose tackle, which will help the Washington Redskins immensely in base 3-4 alignments. Lining up with Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen, Payne could be dangerous in time.

In this deep defensive line class, the Washington Redskins could have waited, especially with talented players like Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, and Anthony Lanier in the wings. But the move bolsters a front that is already above-average when healthy. And with another year to learn from Jim Tomsula, this group of defensive linemen could prove to be great.

Now that the need on the defensive line is taken care of, what else do the Washington Redskins need to address early? And what might they do to increase their chances of converting on opportunity on Day 2? As you’ll see below, they have many options.

Here is a rundown of what to watch on day two of the 2018 NFL Draft for the Washington Redskins:

• The Washington Redskins, after trading Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick for Alex Smith earlier in the offseason, only have a second-round pick on day two. With numerous spots on the roster still in need of depth, one should at least expect the Washington Redskins to try and re-acquire that third-rounder. They have the ammunition next year to move up, on line for four compensatory picks, including a 2019 third-rounder. Look for the Washington Redskins to try moving around tonight. They may not be content with one mid-round pick.
• Depending on who the Washington Redskins prefer, they could also move up in the second round as well. There are a number of talented players at positions of need still on the board, including Will Hernandez, Justin Reid, Nick Chubb, Ronald Jones, Derrius Guice, and more. You can learn more about them here.
• Derrius Guice, in particular, is a player the Washington Redskins showed heavy interest in throughout the draft process. They visited with him multiple times throughout the draft process, and he certainly has talent that could fit nicely into the offense. He has first-round talent, and if they like him enough, the Washington Redskins could trade up to get him. Keep an eye on Guice, as well as other backs in this range, like Chubb, Jones, and Kerryon Johnson.
• Offensive guard is also a position the Washington Redskins could address in Round 2, and they have options here as well. They visited with Auburn guard Braden Smith, who is projected to go in Round 2, and other players on the board of a similar caliber include Will Hernandez, Austin Corbett, and James Daniels.
• Could the Washington Redskins go with another position? Cornerback? Safety? Wide receiver? It’s possible, but it certainly wouldn’t be the most cost-effective course of action. Still, there are a number of talented players at these positions who could warrant a selection, including Harold Landry, Josh Sweat, Josh Jackson, Carlton Davis, Justin Reid, Jessie Bates, and Anthony Miller. There are a lot of options on the table. Also keep an eye on Ronnie Harrison. He wouldn’t be a great pick, but we know how much Bruce Allen loves Alabama players; his scouting of the helmet could overrule all other options once again.

Next: Re-mocking Round 2 up to the Redskins pick

The first round is pivotal, but equal in importance is the second and third rounds, where the core of the team can be found. The Washington Redskins haven’t had overwhelming success in the second round in previous years. Perhaps, in 2018, that will change. Tune in to ESPN or NFL Network at 7:00 to see who the next Washington Redskins player is.