2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: 3 QBs go in the top 10, Redskins land defensive stud
The Redskins are going to have a big need on the edge if Preston Smith leaves in free agency. And while they’re probably hoping that Clelin Ferrell might fall to them at this juncture, he’s off the board at this point.
With Ferrell gone, the Redskins’ focus will shift to Jachai Polite and the remaining offensive line prospects as potential fillers at left guard. Receiver will get some consideration as well, but it’s a deeper class at the position, so it remains likely that they will target a second-round prospect at that position.
Ultimately, Polite seems like the best option for the Redskins at this point. The edge rusher out of Florida had a phenomenal year, getting 11 sacks and generating constant pressure on opponents. Polite has elite athletic ability and should be able to succeed as a speed rusher at the next level.
Polite would bring something to the table that the Redskins have lacked in recent years on defense. That is speed. They have the necessary strength and athleticism-based players to collapse the pocket from the interior, but they need one quick player to have a shot at rapidly getting to the quarterback. Polite could be that and would be an excellent foil to Ryan Kerrigan.
If Smith ends up re-signing with Washington, this pick will obviously go in a different direction. But, for the time being, it makes the most sense to mock an edge player to the ‘Skins, especially since he’s one of the best players left on the board at this point in the draft.