Redskins Saturday Spotlight: Seven-round mock draft with trades

Round 1

With the No. 3 pick, the Miami Dolphins select Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, and just like that, the Washington Redskins are on the clock. And with Chase Young gone, and several quality tackles still on the board, they’re looking to trade back.

So, who do the Redskins call? There were a few teams that were considered here. No scenario stands out as particularly realistic. The Chargers could be a candidate to trade up from No. 9, but there’s talk that they could instead browse the free agent quarterback market to replace fading veteran Philip Rivers.

The Colts were also in the conversation, as they have several picks on Day 1 and 2, but Chris Ballard doesn’t seem like the kind of general manager to swing for the fences. He’ll let the board play out before him, keep his assets, and stand pat at No. 14, similar to what the Redskins did last year.

After intense draft room deliberations, Jon Gruden was settled on as the target. Why the elder Gruden? Because Jon Gruden is closing out year No. 2 of his 10-year contract, and his cumulative record in his second stint as the Raiders head coach is 10-20. With talk of relocation strengthening in Oakland, and with the shadow of guarantees hovering over his head, the pressure is on Gruden to produce a winning product. And while he has some pieces after last year’s draft, Derek Carr simply isn’t doing enough at quarterback.

The Raiders pick at No. 13, one spot ahead of the Colts, but Gruden might get jumpy here. He wants to ensure that he gets the quarterback he wants, and he has the ammunition to do it. All he needs is a little encouragement, and in this case, the Redskins graciously provide it. Here are the terms of the trade:

So the Raiders get Justin Herbert at No. 4, and new Redskins general manager Kyle Smith gets to kick his Jordans up and relax for a bit. But the NFL Draft moves fast, and pretty soon, Washington is on the clock again, this time with not one, but two mid-first-round picks on deck. It’s a golden opportunity to snag elite prospects who might’ve slipped out of the top ten, and the Redskins don’t put it to waste.

Round 1, Pick 13 (via OAK) – Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

There’s a chance Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs could return to school for his senior season; he’s not a unanimous top ten prospect, and some are concerned with his ability to swing to the left side. He’s played mainly as a right tackle at Iowa, and while he has shown the ability to play on the left side in small pockets, the consistency hasn’t yet been there.

In this mock, we’re going to bank on Wirfs’ upside, and it’s a fairly safe thing to bank on. Wirfs is a good athlete who moves very well laterally for a 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman, and he’s one of the strongest, most powerful players in the class. Wirfs is still somewhat raw, but with development, he can become a solid tackle in the NFL, wherever he’s asked to play.

Round 1, Pick 17 (via OAK) – TCU CB Jeff Gladney

With Norman gone at cornerback, the Redskins need to once again invest in one of the most important defensive positions. The 2020 NFL Draft perfectly aligns with this need, as there are almost a dozen long, athletic cornerbacks worthy of selections on Days 1 and 2. TCU’s Jeff Gladney might not be the first one that comes to your mind, but he’d be the first to reach your errant pass.

Gladney started the year as an under-the-radar early pick, but after improving on a 2018 season that saw him post the lowest passer rating allowed in the Big 12, Gladney is getting serious Round 1 hype. He’s a terrific vertical and lateral athlete with a long 6-foot-0 frame (Per Jonah Tuls of The Draft Network, Gladney runs a 4.34 40-yard dash), and he’s also a smart player who processes quickly in zone coverage, and sticks to receivers’ hips when lined up in man.

When a top-flight athlete like Gladney has length and instincts, it’s hard not to pounce on the opportunity to add that kind of upside. He doesn’t have the name recognition of other players like Jeffrey Okudah and Kristian Fulton, but he’s well on his way to catching up. Trust me on this. You’ll be glad you did.