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Redskins 7-round mock with the team selecting an offensive lineman first

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 01: Cody Ford #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a 39-27 win against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 01: Cody Ford #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a 39-27 win against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Redskins will be in the market for young safety talent at some point in this draft. While they may be best served exploring the talented and deep free agent safety class, they need to still add depth and a potential starter to their team. So, expect them to address the position early.

In the early third, Darnell Savage makes a lot of sense. The Maryland product is one of the more underrated safety prospects in this draft and could emerge as one of the better safety options in this class.

Savage had a strong three-year run as a starter at Maryland, and he logged 52 tackles and four picks in his final season at Maryland. Savage’s claim to fame is his play recognition skills. On tape, Savage is frequently able to predict where the ball is going to go. That is what allowed him to undercut some routes at Maryland and make so many plays in the run game. He has the speed needed to shoot through blocks as a run-stopping safety, so he should fit well in the box at the next level.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Savage does have some warts, as he could take better tackling angles more consistently and doesn’t have great size (5-11, 200 pounds). Still, Savage makes up for those deficiencies with his instincts. In the NFL, he could end up being a playmaker and if he plays alongside a bigger safety, he really could be given a chance to be a star.

For Washington, Savage would have a chance to start at one safety spot while playing with either Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (if he re-signs) or another free agent acquisition (Landon Collins?). He also would help solidify their depth, too.

While he wasn’t available in this simulation, this is also a spot to watch out for Alabama’s Deionte Thompson in. His stock was already in decline after the college football season ended, and he may continue to drop, as he is missing the Combine due to a wrist injury. Thompson could go later than expected, and he certainly would be a good value pick for the Redskins if he’s on the board in Round 3.

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