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Redskins: Five reasons for fans to hold out hope for the future

By Ian Cummings

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 9: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 9: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Deebo Samuel #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs back the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Deebo Samuel #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs back the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – The 2019 NFL Draft is deep at Redskins positions of need

The Redskins had a fair amount of needs before releasing D.J. Swearinger following their Week 16 loss to the Titans. Now that Swearinger’s gone for good, Washington’s draft wish list only grows longer.

Ask ten different people what position the Redskins should draft in the first round, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. The roster is one with a decent baseline of talent, but one with so many top-end holes, that a playmaker can be added almost anywhere.

The quarterback situation is up in the air. The team lacks a difference maker at wide receiver, and tight end is losing security exponentially. The offensive line may soon need a makeover. The defensive line may soon need more edge depth. The linebacking core needs more speed. Depth at cornerback is lacking. And with Swearinger gone, the Redskins are back to square one at safety.

So where is the reason for optimism, you ask? Well, luckily for the Redskins, the 2019 NFL Draft is very deep at many of these positions.

Related Story. Redskins Christmas Wish List: 2019 NFL mock draft. light

Wide receiver, tight end, edge rusher, linebacker, and safety stand out as positions where outstanding value can be had on Day 2, or even Day 3. There could very well be a dozen starting-caliber receivers in this class, and edge rusher is also incredibly well-stocked, as Nick Bosa, Brian Burns, Josh Allen, Clelin Ferrell, Jachai Polite, Montez Sweat, Zach Allen, Wyatt Ray, Anthony Nelson, and Chase Winovich all have Day 1 to Day 2 characteristics.

Linebacker and safety are deep positions as well, as players like Drue Tranquill, Jaquan Johnson, and Nasir Adderly stand out as possible mid-round gems. And with good scouting, solid interior offensive linemen can be found later on as well; Chase Roullier is a textbook example of this.

Let’s not fool ourselves; the Redskins have a lot of needs. But they also have a lot of draft picks, and this is the perfect draft to be in the market for playmakers at good value. With the way Kyle Smith has drafted over the past two years, fans have reason to be hopeful that the roster itself continues to be rebuilt the right way.

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