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Redskins 7-round mock: What if they embraced the tank?

By Ian Cummings

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 13: Chris Lindstrom #75 of the Boston College Eagles leads the Boston College Eagles out of the tunnel before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 13: Chris Lindstrom #75 of the Boston College Eagles leads the Boston College Eagles out of the tunnel before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Darnell Savage Jr. #26 (L) and Cavon Walker #39 of the Maryland Terrapins (R) jump into the stands before playing the Wisconsin Badgers at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Darnell Savage Jr. #26 (L) and Cavon Walker #39 of the Maryland Terrapins (R) jump into the stands before playing the Wisconsin Badgers at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 2 – S Darnell Savage Jr. – Maryland

Edge rusher? Check. Now it’s time to add to what might be the most cloudy position on the Redskins defense: Safety.

With D.J. Swearinger gone and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s future with the team uncertain (He wasn’t very good in his short time with the team), the Redskins have a hole at both safety spots. In a sense, nothing’s changed; it’s been that way for the good part of a decade now.

Montae Nicholson can still come back and resurrect his starting role, if given a chance by the team. But after his assault incident, the former fourth-round pick is undoubtedly in hot water, and new start might come sooner than a starting job. Thus, the Redskins are back to their middling ways at safety. But it can end in this draft. With their third round compensatory pick, the Redskins selected Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr.

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I took a gamble with this pick. I’d planned to pick Savage earlier in Round 3, but at the time, the Redskins needed edge depth, and Banogu was next off the board. Luckily, Savage was still available, and he’s the pick.

The thing Savage does best? Tackle. He’s a heat-seeking missile in the heat of the moment, always searching for contact to be made. The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs listed tackling at Savage’s best trait, and 170 tackles over three years as starter only reinforce the notion for Savage.

Savage isn’t just a tackler, however. He has very good athleticism, and his aggressive mentality, while possessing its drawbacks, allows Savage to make plays on the ball when presented the opportunity. Savage fits the mold of a versatile NFL safety who’s willing to get dirty in the box and able to cover downfield. The local kid would make for a nice fit, and a possible early starter, in Ashburn.

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