Redskins: Five 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch in NCAA championship
By Ian Cummings
No. 4 – Clemson CB A.J. Terrell
If he can stay healthy, Quinton Dunbar is a keeper at cornerback for the Redskins, for at least two more years. But the team needs to invest heavily in the position outside of him. Josh Norman is a likely cap casualty this offseason, meaning that both starting spots outside of Dunbar are up for grabs.
Many expect the Redskins to delve into the free agency market for a cornerback, as there will be several starting options available in that talent pool. But they’ll also have options in the 2020 NFL Draft, as this cornerback draft class is incredibly deep as well. Two options, Kristian Fulton and A.J. Terrell, will be on opposing sidelines in tonight’s game. Terrell offers better availability for the Redskins, however, so he is the focus of this slide.
Terrell, in terms of upside, isn’t far off of Fulton. He’s a stellar athlete who has the long speed, foot speed, and agility to hang with any receiver who lines up in front of him. He also offers very good proportional length, and he tends to show up in big moments. In last year’s National Championship game, he snagged a pick-six from Tua Tagovailoa. This year, he’ll have a chance to stand out under the lights again.
There are some modest issues with Terrell. He’s a little undersized from a weight standpoint, and this limits his utility in other phases besides coverage. He plays a bit smaller than he is, with conservative instincts as a tackler and at the catch point, but he has the natural traits to mold in the NFL, and despite his lacking ball production, he tends to have the same effect on receivers themselves. He hasn’t allowed a receiver of his to log more than 60 yards in a game all year, and tonight, against a stacked LSU receiving core, he’ll be tasked with upholding that standard.