It’s officially the off-season. That mean’s it’s officially #DraftSzn
Draft season is upon us, and that means the Redskins get another chance to find the prospects that they believe will be the best additions to their team. However, before we can even talk about finding prospects, we need to identify what position the team should be looking to upgrade.
Right now I rank the Redskins biggest needs as safety, guard, inside linebacker, quarterback, cornerback, and outside linebacker. While I believe this the order of the team’s needs, the list might be different based on player talent, position importance, and class strength.
An example is at quarterback. While I believe it’s the teams third biggest need, it’s such an important position that an elite prospect at the position is higher on the list than an elite guard or safety. The players are ranked based off my own personal rankings, if you have questions about why I have certain players above others please feel free to ask me on Twitter, @MVScouting.
I have Mack Wilson ranked as the top linebacker for this class, but it seems incredibly likely that he returns to school next year. White has also hinted at returning for to school for another season, but I’m holding out hope that he declares.
White is a “see-ball, get-ball” type of player. He has elite sideline to sideline speed and isn’t scared to get big in the trenches. White, an excellent athlete, has the speed and size to excel in man and zone coverage.
However he does still have work to do, he often loses his man in zone and gives up far too many receptions. He prefers to give up the reception and make the tackle instead of attempting to force the incompletion.
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White fits well with the Redskins because both Mason Foster and Zach Brown have been at odds with the team and it’s probably time to bring in some fresh blood. Reuben Foster has been cleared legally but the NFL will most likely still issue a suspension from the NFL after being accused of domestic violence for a second time.
Josh Harvey-Clemons and Shaun Dion-Hamilton are both on the roster and provide a solid option to put depth next to White. Devin White would give the Redskins their first dominant linebacker since London Fletcher.
Preston Smith’s future with the team remains a mystery. That means the team might have to draft his replacement, and luckily this is the draft in which to do so. Ferrell is an excellent prospect, yet he’s only my fourth highest ranked edge defender. In most classes, he’d be No. 2, and maybe even No. 1 overall at the position.
Ferrell has elite length and is a good athlete. He gets his hands on opposing lineman before they’re even out of their stance. He has the functional play strength to set the edge in the run game, and he rushes with a plan.
A well-rounded player with tons of physical gifts, Ferrell is very similar to Ryan Kerrigan and would work well with the defensive interior.
A massive human being, Cody Ford really came into his own at Oklahoma this year. Ford showed the most improvement out of any offensive lineman in college football this season. He’s a very fluid pass protector, an amazing feat considering his size.
That said, Ford leaves a little to be desired in run blocking. He has excellent size and athleticism but I’d like to see him transfer that to more power.
Ford fits with the Redskins because they need to add offensive lineman to fill the hole at left guard. Ford also brings value because Trent Williams isn’t getting younger and Morgan Moses had what was probably his worst season last year. The only reason Ford isn’t higher on the list is because I don’t believe the transition to guard will be as easy for him as it will be for the other lineman on this list.
Last season, Josh Allen had all the physical tools to be an NFL star, but he also had a ton of holes in his game. I couldn’t buy into him going into this season. Boy, did he put it all together.
Allen has taken the biggest steps of any prospects I’ve seen this year. He’s developed a pass rush plan, and he started using his physical tools as a compliment to his technique instead of just relying on being bigger and faster than everyone. That led to him logging 17 sacks on the season.
Similarly to Ferrell, the Redskins could be looking for a possible Preston Smith replacement. Allen has an immense ceiling and could benefit from a guy like Jim Tomsula (if he stays) and Ryan Kerrigan. Allen would be in a position to put together an excellent rookie season, and career, with the Redskins.
Risner is one of my favorite players in the entire draft. He a selfless leader who’s played all along the Kansas State line at an elite level. A mauler in the run game and a wall in pass protection, Risner is gonna be a very good player in the NFL. He has the physical tools and attitude to be a pro-bowl level offensive lineman.
Left guard has been the biggest hole on the Redskins roster for years. The line has four of its pieces set, and they’re some very good pieces. They’ve already dubbed themselves the “Hogs 2.0,” with Risner, they’d be able to put some real substance behind that claim.
Murphy is a do-it-all cornerback with excellent body control and elite ball skills. I’m convinced this dude could catch anything. The Redskins need an influx of young defensive back talent. With the cutting of Swearinger and Josh Norman continuing to age, maybe it’s time to draft Norman’s replacement.
Murphy has average size, but incredible athleticism and body control. His ability to shadow a receiver anywhere on the field is elite. If the Redskins were to move on from Norman, Murphy would probably take over the slot role, and sharing time on the outside with Moreau and Dunbar.
Murphy would provide a spark for the Redskins defense and give them a true playmaker in the secondary.
A dynamic pass rusher, Burns is the most explosive pass rusher in this class. Burns needs to add some weight before the combine if he truly wants to rise draft boards. Burns has all the makings of a perennial 10 sack edge defender, including a combination of length, speed, and explosion.
Burns would be the perfect compliment to Ryan Kerrigan and the interior pass rushers. He has excellent speed, something the Redskins have lacked for some time. Burns will benefit from an excellent Redskins defensive front. Burns would fit right in and could challenge Nick Bosa and others for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Williams has the true makings of a shutdown cornerback. He’s someone who eliminates an opposing No. 1 receiver and makes big plays in big games. Williams has that talent.
Williams has immense upside too, similar to that of 2013 Richard Sherman, or prime-time Deion Sanders. He is 6-foot-3, has long arms, and is a great athlete, Williams will shine in the NFL. Unfortunately I have worries about his mindset and if failing early in his career will set him back forever. For that reason, he’s a true “boom or bust” prospect.
Williams is a perfect Josh Norman replacement. The team can keep Norman until 2020, let Greedy learn and develop under him. That will give him time to learn from the guys like Jonathan Allen and Ryan Kerrigan on how to be a pro. Williams could be the leagues best corner for the next decade. The Redskins just need to keep him right.
Thompson skyrocketed up this list after the release of D.J. Swearinger. After we thought the Redskins had finally solved they’re safety problems, here we are all over again. Luckily, Thompson can join his former teammates (practically every Redskins player) and finally be the safety the team has been searching for since the passing of Sean Taylor.
Thompson is a center-fielder with excellent range and ball skills. He flies over the top of the defense, and with weapons like Odell Beckham, Amari Cooper, and Alshon Jeffery in the division the Redskins will need that security blanket. Thompson is an excellent fit and would be a perfect team need/player value pick in the mid-teens.
The only question surrounding Thompson is whether or not he will return to school. He had some issues in the College Football Playoff, so that could be enough to convince him to return to the Crimson Tide for one more year.
The Redskins need their franchise quarterback. Alex Smith may never play again. Colt McCoy and Josh Johnson are excellent back-ups, but it’s time the Redskins start looking for their franchise guy again.
Dwayne Haskins is the only quarterback I currently have a first round grade on, and the only one I believe worth the Redskins first pick. However the question isn’t whether or not the Redskins would take him, it’s if he’ll even come close enough for them to get the chance.
Haskins has an elite arm with the ability to make every throw. He has natural accuracy and can place a touch pass in the bread basket or fire a laser in a small window. He’s not a great athlete, but doesn’t need to be. He’ll win games from the pocket giving his receivers opportunities to make plays.
My biggest concern with Haskins is that he’s a one-year starter, and he may not be ready for pro football. However, Redskins need their guy, and if they believe Haskins is it they need to go get him. He can sit behind Colt until he’s ready.