Redskins 7-round mock with the team selecting a QB in the first

Round 3, Pick 12: WR Andy Isabella, UMass

One element that is missing from the Washington offense is speed. Paul Richardson was supposed to develop into the top speed threat for their offense, but that never transpired, as he dealt with injuries in his first season with the ‘Skins. He will return in 2019, but the team needs to add some extra depth and playmaking ability at receiver regardless.

With this pick, we were targeting either Marquise Brown or Andy Isabella. Brown went off the board one pick earlier (and in all likelihood, he will be an early second-round pick anyway). We were happy to scoop up Isabella in the early third round.

Isabella, hailing from my alma mater, UMass, is one of the more underrated receiver prospects in this draft. The 5-foot-10 speedster has put up three big seasons for the Minutemen, totaling 229 catches for 3,519 yards and 30 touchdown catches in the past three seasons. Additionally, he has totaled 342 yards on the ground on just 40 carries with two TDs. He has particularly thrived in the past two seasons when working (mostly) with Andrew Ford as the starter. At the NFL level, he should develop into a trusty receiver in the slot who will have some capability as an outside receiver as well.

Isabella’s deep speed is no joke, and it’s the asset that could help him separate in the lead up to the 2019 NFL Draft. He clocked a 10.51 time in the 100-yard dash in high school, and he could legitimately clock a sub-4.3 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine. That, plus Isabella’s experience as a running back in college and as a freshman, will make him appeal as a versatile player and top-notch speed threat.

The only concern with Isabella is that he’s on the smaller side for receivers at 5-10. He can still definitely be an impactful player, but he might be better suited to man the slot. Still, that shouldn’t downgrade Isabella, as slot players are becoming more and more important in the NFL.

In Washington, Isabella could eventually earn a starting role in the slot, if Jamison Crowder is gone. If Isabella doesn’t win that, he could be the ideal backup to Richardson and will certainly get plenty of run in that role. For a third-round pick, Isabella possesses a lot of value, and also would have the potential to be used as a kick or punt returner.