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Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft: Mid-February, pre-Combine edition

By Jacob Camenker

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Redskins will have plenty of options with their first-round pick this year. They have needs at virtually every position except for running back and interior defensive line. However, one of their most pressing needs may come on the edge.

Preston Smith is set to hit the open market this offseason. Though Smith can be a streaky performer, he still has an excellent athletic skill set and generates a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He is only 26, so he still has time to reach his ceiling. Because of this coupled with the fact that many of the other top edge rushers on the market will be franchise tagged, Smith could be a hot commodity.

If Smith doesn’t return to Washington, the Redskins will have Ryan Kerrigan, Ryan Anderson, and Cassanova McKinzy as the only edge options on their roster. Kerrigan is still good, but he is turning 31 in August. Meanwhile, Anderson and McKinzy are merely backups (though Anderson was once a second-round pick by the team). They will need a new starter and possibly some depth to ensure their edge rush complements their interior playmakers well.

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In this simulation, Montez Sweat was on the board with the 15th pick. If that happens, the Redskins should be ecstatic. Sweat hails from the same Mississippi State team that produced Preston Smith, and Sweat’s credentials are very good. Over the course of the last two seasons, Sweat has posted 22.5 total sacks and has put a lot of pressure on his opponents. He has really long arms, a big frame (6-6, 245 pounds), and plus athleticism. He really is built to be an NFL contributor right now.

At the 2019 Senior Bowl, Sweat was one of the best players on the field. He won one-on-ones constantly in practice, and even his weigh-in impressed NFL teams. He’s a player that is on the rise and right now, he looks like a lock for the top-15. He would immediately give the Redskins another potential double-digit sack threat across from Kerrigan.

If Sweat is off the board, the Redskins could consider Jachai Polite or Clelin Ferrell with this pick. The former is a better fit for the 3-4, and his speed could create some matchup problems for opponents. An edge player is a strong option with this pick andi f the draft falls like this, Sweat could be a great value pick for the ‘Skins.

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