Washington Redskins: Which draft selection was most effective?

The Washington Redskins nailed draft night. Don’t let pessimistic pundits tell you otherwise.

The Washington Redskins had eight selections in the 2018 NFL Draft, and they made all eight of those selections count. Those selections appear to have had varying degrees of success, but overall, the draft class the team came away with should yield an impressive amount of immediate contributors.

Credit must be given when it’s due. The Washington Redskins’ front office held up their end of the bargain and brought in a solid group of young, ascending players. We know that this class, on paper is very good. But which selection was the most effective?

Effectiveness, in this context, can be defined as a draft pick both fulfilling a dire need and providing the team with a valuable talent at that particular selection. On the field, it can not yet be measured. But on paper, with what we know about a player’s talent, and a player’s projected draft slot, we can determine immediate effectiveness, from a draft standpoint.

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With these criteria in mind, it’s pretty easy to distinguish who the Washington Redskins’ most effective selection was in the 2018 NFL Draft. Look no further than the second round, at LSU running back Derrius Guice.

Cases could be made for the selection of Da’Ron Payne, or the selection of Greg Stroman. But Guice, a mid-to-high first-round talent, was available in the late second round for the Washington Redskins to take, and at that juncture, he provides incredible value.

The Washington Redskins haven’t had a do-it-all running back since the days of Clinton Portis. They’ve had backs who can fill in for a short time period, but they haven’t had “the guy” at that position. Now they do.

Guice runs with attitude, and he has the physical talent and capability to hone his aggression and burst through contact. His quickness is underrated, and he can also catch out of the backfield. As a pure runner, Guice is arguably better than Saquon Barkley, his new NFC East counterpart. While Barkley may have more athletic upside, Guice is a runner with ferocious physicality and innate quickness in his cuts. His balance is unmatched, and getting him at No. 59, after getting a third-round pick in return for a trade back, will prove to be very effective for the Washington Redskins.

Next: Could Troy Apke match Montae Nicholson's promise?

I say Derrius Guice was the most effective pick by the Washington Redskins. Agree or disagree? Voice your sentiments in the comments below!

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