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3 players that could fall into the Redskins’ lap with 15th pick

By Jacob Camenker

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf of Ole Miss runs the 40-yard dash during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf of Ole Miss runs the 40-yard dash during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

This may surprise some, but I don’t think D.K. Metcalf is the top-10 lock everyone is portraying him to be. Yes, he had an unbelievable performance at the combine, running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and totaling 27 reps on the bench press. However, there are still some concerns in his game that could keep him on the board until the 15th pick.

First of all, Metcalf isn’t the best route runner on tape. At the NFL level, he is going to have to work hard to improve this ability and give him a better chance to gain separation. He may be able to use his straight-line speed to break open and he could win jump balls thanks to his hulking physical frame, but to be a top-caliber NFL wide-out, he’ll need to run routes better.

That said, Metcalf’s agility is one of his weaker points. He logged the third-worst time in the three-cone drill at 7.38. The three-cone is important for receivers, as it helps to demonstrate change of direction abilities. Metcalf testing poorly in this area could compound his already mediocre route running, so that could scare off some teams that might have an early interest in him.

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Speaking of teams that might be interested in Metcalf early, there aren’t a lot of obvious fits for him in the top-15. Teams like the Dolphins and Bills could use receiver talent, but they have been linked more to players in the trenches in the early draft process. In a draft that appears to be rife with receiving talent on the second day, it may be hard to justify spending an early pick on a receiver.

Additionally, teams like the Bengals, Packers, Falcons, and Buccaneers seem unlikely to need receivers while other teams picking may have more of an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball. That’s not to say that Metcalf won’t get picked early. It’s just that there aren’t many obvious fits.

Metcalf’s numbers are definitely causing him to rise, but he still might a mid-first-round pick. If he’s somehow on the board with the 15th selection, the Redskins should definitely pounce on him to help find a true No. 1 target for their offense.

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