The Washington Redskins had one of their strongest drafts in recent memory. And their front office deserves credit for it.
Over the course of the past decade, the Redskins have gotten a lot of flak for how their front office is run. With Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen at the helm, there has always been rumors of dysfunction and Game of Thrones type power struggles galore. But in the 2018 offseason, that may have changed.
In free agency, the Redskins did fairly well, adding a couple of quality players while also ensuring that they will have a shot at landing many compensatory picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. They got rid of Kirk Cousins and finally answered the questions they had at quarterback. Suddenly, there was a wave of certainty coming over the team for the first time in a long time.
And then, during the 2018 NFL Draft, the team did very well to add quality players to their roster. They struck gold with their first two picks in Da’Ron Payne and Derrius Guice, and they also did a lot to add help in the later rounds.
In this piece, we will evaluate their Day 3 picks and see which ones earned the highest marks. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Round 4: S Troy Apke, Penn State
At the start of Day 3, the Redskins had a lot of talent on the board that was staring them down. Many thought they may opt to take an interior lineman or a falling prospect like Maurice Hurst. Instead, they opted to take Penn State’s Troy Apke.
Apke wasn’t a name that many heard about in the lead-up to the 2018 NFL Draft. Many considered him to be a raw, later round player who needed to develop at the safety position to be a higher pick. He had 54 tackles and a pick during his final collegiate season, but he wasn’t a guy that made a lot of splash plays.
However, Apke possesses something that a lot of teams look for in a prospect: athleticism. At the Combine, Apke blazed a 4.34 second 40-yard dash and looked extremely fluid in the on-field drills. He was once a sprinter during his high school days, and it’s clear that he has speed to spare for the NFL level. This will give him a chance to contribute immediately on special teams.
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For the Redskins, Apke will likely get a chance to work as a gunner and fight for the third safety role. He has the requisite athleticism to be a solid player in Greg Manusky‘s defense. But to get better at the next level, he needs to improve his instincts and angling in order to make sure that he is able to make stops when needed.
The Redskins made a pick similar to Apke last year. They took traits-based player Montae Nicholson to play safety for them, and safe to say that worked out. Nicholson, when on the field, was one of the best cover men in the NFL. So, perhaps Torrian Gray will be able to work with Apke and get him to make an impact early in his NFL career.
Still, Apke was a bit of a reach in Round 4. He seemed like more of a Round 5-7 prospect, and the Redskins probably could have waited to get him. For that reason, the grade will be penalized slightly, but it’s nothing major.
Grade: C+
Round 5: NT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
The Redskins had been tied to Tim Settle for most of the draft process. He was a local product who the team had visited with. Thus, it was no surprise to see the team go after him.
What is the surprise, however, is the fact that Settle was on the board late in the fifth round of the draft. At one point, Settle was viewed by some as a Day 2 lock. He even was thought to have the possibility of going in the first round. However, he slipped for a one major reason.
At the Combine, Settle performed poorly and showed virtually no athletic measurables. His performance at the Combine didn’t necessarily match his tape, where he generally looked good, but some teams may have thought that his athletic upside was tapped and that may make him a two-down player. Still, that didn’t scare away the Redskins.
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The addition of Settle was a smart one, and it was a sound move by the front office. Settle would have been an option for them on Day 2 had Da’Ron Payne not been their first round pick. So, getting him in the fifth round to finish their defensive line rotation was an excellent move.
Furthermore, the Redskins no longer have a need at the nose tackle position. Payne, Settle, and Phil Taylor can all man that spot in a heartbeat, so the team will not lack run stuffers and that should help their woeful run defense catapult into being an above average unit. Especially with everyone healthy. Just imagine a run stuffing front featuring Jonathan Allen and Payne at ends with Settle in the middle. That would be a sight for sore eyes in Washington.
There’s no question that Settle was a strong pick, and he may have been one of the best value picks in the entire draft. Settle could play a role early for the Redskins, so grabbing him in Round 5 was a no-brainer, as is giving the team an A for this selection.
Grade: A
Round 6: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama
Anytime you trade up in the draft, you have to make sure that it is for a superior value. Additionally, you have to make sure that there’s no way the player you want will make it to your pick. In moving up for Shaun Dion Hamilton, the Redskins checked off these boxes.
Hamilton was a player who may have been coveted by the New England Patriots, and they possessed the No. 198 overall pick. So, the Redskins elected to leapfrog them and get Hamilton. Given that the Patriots traded the pick immediately after that selection was made, it’s possible that Hamilton could have been their target. It’s also possible that the Patriots would have traded anyway. It’s hard to know.
What is certain is that Hamilton provided value in the middle of Round 6 and fits with the team, as I pointed out when the team initially chose him.
FanSided
"Hamilton totaled 104 tackles and 4.5 sacks with two interceptions over the course of his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He is a disciplined tackler with good technique. Sure, he’s a bit shorter and slower than desired for the linebacker position, but he could become a role player and a special teamer. So, there’s no doubt that he could find a spot on this roster. In Round 6, there was little risk to taking Hamilton. If he needs extra time to recover from injuries, he can take what would essentially be a red-shirt year with the Redskins. And if he’s ready, then he can fight for a position on the depth chart. Either way, Hamilton is a solid add and continues a strong performance in the draft for the Redskins front office."
It’s also worth noting that Hamilton was a leader in the locker room and was a captain for the Crimson Tide. Had he been able to stay healthy, he may have turned into a Day 2 pick.
Given that the Redskins only needed depth at linebacker, getting Hamilton was a great move. He might not be ready for a role in 2018, but come 2019, there’s a chance that he could earn a primary backup spot in the linebacker corps and eventually turn into a starter. Getting that type of value in Round 6 is a borderline steal.
Grade: A-
Round 7: CB Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech
The Redskins needed to get somebody to compete with Orlando Scandrick and Joshua Holsey for the slot corner job. And in general, they just needed to get some more cornerback depth. They achieved both goals by getting Greg Stroman in Round 7.
Stroman is one of the corners in this class that has some upside. He demonstrated good coverage skills at Virginia Tech, and he has a rapport with Torrian Gray, who coached him at Virginia Tech before coming to join the Redskins. Stroman is a pretty productive player who notched nine picks over the course of three years as a primary starter. His ball skills improved each year, and he brings versatility to the table.
One of Stroman’s main areas that he can contribute is in the return game. On punt returns in his career, Stroman averaged 8.7 yard per return and totaled four touchdowns. He was a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he could take Jamison Crowder out of that role, which should be a positive, given how unsure he was at times last season.
However, Stroman does come with some concerns that are largely similar to that of his teammate Settle. Stroman didn’t test well and doesn’t have great athleticism. That lack of athletic ability and speed could limit his abilities as a corner, so he might not be able to win a starting job early on. Stroman is also a bit small, so that could hurt him a bit. Still, his tape demonstrates that he has the skills needed to be a potential role player, and he will help on special teams at the very least.
Stroman was a good value in Round 7, as he could have gone a round earlier. So, getting him was a solid move, and the grade will reflect that.
Grade: B+
Mr. Irrelevant: WR Trey Quinn, SMU
The Redskins ended up with the final pick in the draft by virtue of a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. And with the pick, they took an intriguing receiver with upside.
Trey Quinn is going to be a slot receiver in the NFL, and he will have the ability to play a role in the team’s offense. Quinn offers some physicality and some quick-twitch movement that will afford him an opportunity to separate at the line of scrimmage. He led the FBS in receptions with 114 in 2017, and he was a highly productive player for sure.
There are some concerns about Quinn’s overall athletic ability and what he will be able to do downfield. Quinn might be better served as a short to intermediate target who grinds out tough yards. He’s not necessarily going to make a man miss often and he doesn’t have elite speed. That said, he has enough athletic ability to become a good slot contributor, so perhaps he can spell Jamison Crowder at times in 2018.
Next: Grading Redskins picks from first three rounds
Quinn was a fine pickup with the final pick of the draft. He had a great deal of production in his final season, and it’s possible that he could have been a Round 5 pick. As it stands, the Redskins could benefit from having him on the roster, so he will get a positive mark.