NFL mock drafts are on the increase this off-season and pundits have their opinions as to which players will be the hot prospects. Redskins fans are hoping the players selected will have positive impacts for the 2019 season and beyond.
The NFL Draft is now three months away and it will be here before you know it. The Redskins front office is certainly preparing their draft board(s) at this time and the armchair GMs are posting their team mocks as well. Each of us will have varying opinions about certain prospects and what the Redskins should do in each round. The Senior Bowl showcases the talents of prospects who have completed their college eligibility and are now setting their sights on a career in the NFL.
Today we present a Redskins mock draft with Senior Bowl participants and with this limited pool of players, it is a challenge to embrace. Some of these choices may leave you scratching your head a bit, but we are going to stay within the rules of this mock – Senior Bowl players only. Let’s get started.
Day 1
Round One: Trade
The Redskins trade down several positions in the first round and the front office is able to add second and fourth round selections.
Round One: Montez Sweat, Edge/OLB, Mississippi St.
Sweat has had a very good week at the Senior Bowl and he has cemented his credentials as a first-round candidate. The Redskins have an incredibly huge need for a superior pass rusher and the Mississippi State Bulldog can likely start from day one. At 6-6, 252 pounds, Sweat can add another fifteen pounds of bulk/muscle and still be highly effective.
Day 2
Round Two: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Will he last until round two? It’s possible. Grier had a rough start in Mobile, but he improved throughout the week. He will need some help with his footwork, but the Mountaineer gunslinger is a winner. He does come with a couple of character issues and dealing with his family is a concern as well. However, Grier has interviewed extremely well during Bowl week and came across as mature and determined. Will the Redskins take the risk? They certainly could.
Round Two: David Sills, WR, West Virginia
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David Sills simply catches everything that is thrown to him and is highly productive. He would have an immediate rapport with his college teammate Grier. He is not as flashy as some, but Sills is fundamentally sound with decent speed. He’s a good red zone target and will fight for contested catches. He is also a solid blocker on jet sweeps and screens.
Round Three: Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA
Jordan Reed is likely returning in 2019, but he rarely puts together a full healthy season. Vernon Davis has a bloated contract and is also starting to show signs of slowing down along with minimal blocking skills. He is likely to be released. Caleb Wilson will take a bit of time to develop, but he brings a solid blocking and receiving skill set. His long frame makes him an ideal red-zone target, but he will need to add about fifteen pounds of bulk to be a true weapon at the next level.
Round Three (Comp Pick): Juan Thornhill, SS, Virginia
D.J. Swearinger literally talked his way out of Washington as he alienated coaches and players alike. Enter Juan Thornhill – an underrated strong safety for the Cavaliers. He is a smart and savvy player who has good size and skills and continually displays the intangibles to excel at the next level. He’s effective against the run and able to cover wide receivers and slots coming across the middle or on short routes. He’s a solid tackler, too.
Day 3, Part 1
Round Four: Beau Benzschawel, OG, Wisconsin
Benzschawel has the prototypical size to play inside, but he will need to take several steps to be a success in the NFL. He’s a good presence on the line of scrimmage but needs to lock onto his blocking assignments immediately or he can get beat. Benzschawel would probably need at least half of a season before he could start, but his potential is unlimited. Benzschawel is very good in the rushing offense but needs to work on pass protection.
Round Five: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
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There is no truth to the rumor that Kaleb McGary was recently named as one of the peaks in the Cascade Mountain range. At 6-7, 320 pound, the massive offensive tackle for the Huskies certainly qualifies. McGary is a bit raw and will need a year to adjust to life in the NFL, but his potential is undeniable. Adding about 10 pounds of muscle and going up against NFL defensive linemen in practice will help his maturation process. McGary is a better run blocker than a pass protector for now, but he needs to work hard in order to succeed in the league.
Round Five (Comp Pick): Trace McSorley, QB, Penn. St.
Do we need to remind anyone about the last time the Redskins selected two quarterbacks in the same draft? Many pundits would advise against this move, but a front office can’t judge a draft based on any decisions made in previous offseasons. A look at the current depth chart and the reality of Alex Smith’s latest injury news is not too encouraging. Adding McSorley here makes perfect sense and the Redskins would be adding another quarterback who simply produces victories. The Ashburn native has good mobility, but he will need a lot of work at the next stop. McSorley will be third on any depth chart, but that will give him time to adjust to the NFL.
Day 3, Part 2
Round Six (Comp Pick): Bruce Anderson, RB, North Dakota St.
Taking any FCS player typically comes with its own scrutiny, but Bruce Anderson was superb for the national champion Bison. He’s nimble on his feet, has excellent field vision, and has a constant motor makes him difficult to bring down with the first contact. He cuts well in the open field and has a bit of elusiveness after surging beyond defensive linemen. He’s a very good receiving back and can provide kick returning duties – if needed. He’s a decent blocker in pass protection but must learn how to deal with speed rushers off the edge.
Round Seven: Carl Granderson, DE/OLB, Wyoming
Taking Granderson here makes sense. The Wyoming product needs plenty of work at the next level if he wants to make the roster. He’s a good defender in the rushing defense, but will need plenty of work as a pass rusher. He does have a bull rush, but quality tackles would be able to contain him right now. Granderson could be a good practice squad candidate and may be able to produce as a good rotational edge rusher in two or three years, but only with a determined work ethic.
The extra sixth-round compensatory pick that the Redskins had earlier in the 2018 season was surrendered when Terrelle Pryor was released by the Jets. The seventh-round comp pick was lost due to the NFL’s Rule of 32.
As a result, the Redskins will have comp picks in the third, fifth, and sixth rounds. When free agency opens, the changes to the roster will also have an effect on the draft. Mocks in late January look much different than mocks in the spring. For now, we can only speculate based on current team needs and without the benefit of free agency transactions.
There you have it – an all Senior Bowl mock. It wasn’t easy, but this would actually be a solid haul of prospects.