2019 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins viewer guide – Day One

The 2019 NFL Draft starts tonight. And just like old times, the Redskins will be the team to watch.

It’s been a long, tumultuous, and often confusing wait up to this point, but after lots of tension-building action and inaction, the 2019 NFL Draft is finally here, and the Washington Redskins are one team whose intentions have remained clouded for months.

From trade whispers regarding Josh Rosen to rumors of a blockbuster trade into the top five, to grab Dwayne Haskins, the Redskins have been tied to almost every possible scenario this offseason. Doug Williams himself entertained the idea of trading back and acquiring more picks, but there’s also a chance that a top talent could fall to No. 15, much like Jonathan Allen did in 2017.

With so many possibilities, and so much at stake, this Redskins 2019 NFL Draft is one you won’t want to miss. Here’s a rundown of what to watch on Day One of the 2019 NFL Draft for the Washington Redskins:

• We’ll start with the first pick. The first pick in the NFL Draft holds massive implications for what the Redskins might do. If Kyler Murray goes to the Cardinals, then Josh Rosen suddenly becomes available. If Kyler Murray doesn’t go No. 1, then the pick could cause quarterbacks to slide down the board, inciting a frenzy of trade offers and trade-ups. Recent reports have tied the Redskins to Dwayne Haskins, but with so much misinformation being spread, it’s impossible to say who they actually have at the top of their board.
• It is worth noting that, in times of desperation like these, Dan Snyder has a habit of asserting impulsive control over the war room. He did this in 2012 when he traded three first-round picks to grab Robert Griffin III. Now, with just one healthy quarterback on his roster and a team that needs a signal caller to win now, Snyder could try to force the issue, in a last-ditch effort to resurrect his long-dead role as franchise hero.
• Dan Snyder also has a vague connection with Dwayne Haskins, and Haskins is from the D.C. local area. Those subtle ties could cultivate a sort of favoritism toward Haskins, so while it’s far from confirmed, it makes sense that Snyder would go all-in for a statistically exciting quarterback with good D.C. storylines to his name. He might be the apple of Snyder’s eye, even though he’s no perfect prospect.
• While this quarterback class isn’t as strong as 2018’s was, there are players that have traits worthy of drafting early, and all three after Murray have been tied to the Redskins at some point. Drew Lock is a high-upside prospect with a need for mechanical work, while Daniel Jones is a low-ceiling signal caller who scouts will swoon over because of his toughness and name-brand college coach. Both have been receiving first-round hype, and either one could be a Redskins player by the time the night is over.
• All the quarterback talk is overwhelming, but there’s also a number of different areas the Redskins could explore on Day One of the NFL Draft. A quarterback run, combined with the dearth of top-end talent, could push a top-tier player to the No. 15 pick. Brian Burns is a popular option there, with his tremendous pass rushing upside, while other players such as D.K. Metcalf, Cody Ford, Jonah Williams, T.J. Hockenson, Garrett Bradbury, Montez Sweat, and Clelin Ferrell have also been theorized as matches. The Redskins have enough needs where their preferences are flexible, but at the end of the day, quarterback could trump everything else.
• Just because I feel like you might want to see something like this, here’s how I’d rank the quarterbacks of this draft, as prospects, in relation with Josh Rosen: 1. Rosen, 2. Murray, 3. Lock, 4. Haskins. Go crazy.
• Ian Rapoport reported earlier today that the Redskins are one of two teams looking to trade up into the top ten, and that they’re one team most interested in adding a new quarterback. Something to give value, regardless of the unpredictability of the coming event.
• Whether the Redskins trade up, stay put, or trade back, there are plenty of options in the range of Round 1 that Washington could end up considering. For an in-depth look at all of the potential player choices, you can view our Top 150 Prospects Big Board linked here.

I’ll leave you with a cautious reminder: Rumors are swirling. But no one knows anything yet. Information released to the public could be genuine, or it could be artificially exhumed, with the intent of throwing other entities off a team’s trail. Misdirection is aplenty this time of year. Last year, Sam Darnold was reported to be locked in as the Browns pick at No. 1 overall. Then, on draft day, they chose Baker Mayfield. Anything can happen, and nothing’s set in stone until the draft has already passed.