Predicting the stats of every Redskins draft pick ahead of the 2019 NFL season
The Washington Redskins selected 10 players in the 2019 NFL Draft. What type of production can be expected from each of these players in the upcoming season?
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins did a solid job of finding a core group of players to add to an already developing roster of talented players. The team has done a good drafting players in recent years with the promotions of Kyle Smith to Director of College Scouting, and Doug Williams to Senior Vice President of Player Personnel.
The team’s noteworthy selections of quarterback Dwayne Haskins and outside linebacker Montez Sweat in the first round were drafted to replace last year’s starters quarterback Alex Smith and outside linebacker Preston Smith. Alex Smith was lost to a gruesome leg injury against the Houston Texans while Preston Smith was signed by the Green Bay Packers in free agency. Haskins and Sweat should be able to ease right into the line-up when called upon, with Sweat being a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In addition to Haskins, the team also added offensive linemen Wes Martin and Ross Pierschbacher to strengthen their offensive front. With the team ravaged by injuries in 2018 along the offensive line, players who had no business being in the league were picked up by the team to play. They were absolutely in desperate need of more depth along the line.
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Martin in particular has a chance to see significant playing time in the 2019 season due to the need of the team to find a starting left guard. Drafted out of the University of Indiana, Martin was known for his elite strength and ability to finish blocks. While not up to the level of current right guard Brandon Scherff, Martin should be a force to reckon with when given the opportunity for playing time as the season goes along.
Rounding out the selections on offense were receivers Kelvin Harmon and Terry McLaurin, and running back Bryce Love. Harmon and McLaurin should both be solid receiving targets for the Redskins, but there is an intense battle in the preseason for playing time among the group. Love is coming off a torn ACL suffered in college, but the young ball carrier was known to be electric in college with the ball in his hands.
On defense, Sweat is the name Redskins fans will surely get to know rather quickly. Known for his elite size and speed, Sweat should fill in admirably for Preston Smith. He should be given the opportunity to start opposite veteran edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan. The duo has the realistic potential to produce over 20 sacks combined if able to remain healthy.
Cole Holcomb and Jimmy Moreland were selected in the later rounds of the draft, but neither should disappoint when it comes to production in the 2019 season. The Redskins, with Kyle Smith and Williams at the helm, have taken an approach to draft productive college players, and both Moreland and Holcomb were no exceptions. Keep an eye on these two in the upcoming season to take on larger roles than they might start out with in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lastly, drafted out of Oklahoma State, Jordan Brailford is an intriguing prospect to watch out for if he can recover from injury. While he might remain behind Kerrigan, Sweat, Ryan Anderson, and Cassanova McKinzy at the edge rusher position, it would not be out of the question for Brailford to be somewhat impactful if on the active roster.
Now, let’s take a look at what type of production can be expected from these 10 draft picks in the 2019 NFL Season!