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Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft: Re-examining what happens if the team takes a quarterback early

By Jacob Camenker

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils drops back to pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 28-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils drops back to pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 28-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch and runs it in for a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch and runs it in for a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

There aren’t an abundance of potential No. 1 receivers in this draft. In fact, aside from D.K. Metcalf, there really aren’t any guys that look like anything more than No. 2 options, in this analyst’s opinion. Still, the class is solid and deep, and there should be plenty of contributors as No. 2’s and No. 3’s that teams will in the middle rounds.

In Round 3, Terry McLaurin is one of them. McLaurin has been steadily rising up draft board. Teams like his ability as a do-it-all player, and he has the speed needed to beat opposing defensive backs as a vertical threat.

At the combine, McLaurin blazed a 4.35 time in the 40-yard dash. He looked fluid in the drills and ran the 3-cone drill in 7.01 seconds. His straight-line speed is one of his best assets, but so is his special teams ability. He played a key role in that facet for the Buckeyes, so he will be able to do the same at the NFL level.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

In 2018, McLaurin put together his best season at Ohio State, becoming one of Dwayne Haskins’ go-to receivers. He averaged a ridiculous 20 yards per catch while totaling 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. His speed should translate to the next level, and so will his very good route running ability.

The only concern with McLaurin is that he’s not overly physical. So, he shouldn’t be used as a jump-ball receiver. That shouldn’t be much of a problem, though, and the Redskins wouldn’t ask him to do that.

For Washington, McLaurin would likely slot in as the No. 2 receiver of the future. He could help to spell Paul Richardson or play alongside him, and give the team two burner threats on the field at once. At the very least, he’s a good insurance policy behind Richardson for his rookie year.

It would have been nice to get a bigger, more physical receiver like Hakeem Butler with this pick, but he came off the board just a pick before. Still, McLaurin does plenty well enough to be an NFL contributor, and his special teams ability could really help him to rise in the eyes of talent evaluators.

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