Redskins: Grading the teams of the NFC East in the 2019 NFL Draft
By Ian Cummings
Washington Redskins Draft Grade
Round 1 – Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins (B+)
Round 1 – Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat (A-)
Round 3 – Ohio State WR Terry McLaurin (A-)
Round 4 – Stanford RB Bryce Love (C)
Round 4 – Indiana OG Wes Martin (B)
Round 5 – Alabama OL Ross Pierschbacher (B)
Round 5 – North Carolina LB Cole Holcomb (B+)
Round 6 – North Carolina State WR Kelvin Harmon (A+)
Round 7 – James Madison CB Jimmy Moreland (A)
Round 7 – Oklahoma State EDGE Jordan Brailford (B-)
Honestly, what a draft by the Redskins.
Multiple team sources said that college scouting director Kyle Smith set the Redskins draft board, and facilitated their draft process. If that’s the case, then he might have a promotion on the way.
The Redskins started out the 2019 NFL Draft on a high note, letting patience win out as Dwayne Haskins fell to the No. 15 overall pick, getting a potential franchise quarterback without having to give up assets trading up. Haskins does have some questions surrounding his physical upside, but he’ll give the team a chance to compete, at the very least.
Even after picking Haskins, the Redskins weren’t done in Round 1. At pick No. 26, the Redskins traded up and picked Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat, nabbing a potential upgrade from Preston Smith opposite from Ryan Kerrigan, and then on Day 2, they grabbed another starter in Terry McLaurin, who has the athletic quickness and football I.Q. to create his own separation with ease.
In Round 4, the Redskins grabbed a potential offensive weapon in Bryce Love, albeit too early, and they also added a potential starter at guard in Wes Martin, although his best function might be depth. They did the same in Round 5, adding Ross Pierschbacher out of Alabama, and then with their second fifth-round pick, they drafted an athletic linebacker with some potential in Cole Holcomb.
The Redskins early picks on Day 3 were decent, but their later picks were stellar. In Round 6, they grabbed one of the best steals in the draft in Kelvin Harmon, a relatively slow receiver who wins with vertical ability, toughness, and attention to detail. They then added Jimmy Moreland, a potential steal at cornerback who offers impressive ball skills and fluidity, even if he’s a bit undersized.
Redskins top 150 2019 NFL Draft big board. dark. Next
On all three days of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Redskins attained impressive value at a consistent rate, and the Redskins were able to fill several needs as well. It’s a draft that should, on paper, speed up their timeline to compete. If the Redskins wanted to win now, they gave themselves as good a chance as they could.