Redskins: Five 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch in NCAA championship

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers post the “LSU” sticker on the oversized bracket to indicate advancing to the National Championship in New Orleans after winning the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 28-63 over the Oklahoma Sooners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – LSU QB Joe Burrow

In 99 percent of cases, Joe Burrow isn’t going to be an option for the Washington Redskins. He should be the Cincinnati Bengals pick, and unless he does something catastrophic to his stock in the national championship, he’s going to be.

There is a scenario where the Bengals pick Chase Young and the Redskins have the option to restart at quarterback with Burrow. Burrow’s floor might be higher than where Dwayne Haskins is right now. But the likelihood of that alternative is small, and the precedent behind it is similarly quaint. Haskins showed tangible growth in 2019, and there’s no reason to restart now, when Haskins has shown he has the potential to be the quarterback the Redskins need.

The Redskins would be best served to use the No. 2 pick to strengthen their team overall, and subsequently help Haskins by improving his supporting cast and defense, thus further expediting his development. But even with this course of action all but chosen, there exists a need to know one’s draft class. Prospects can tell you a lot about the rest of the class that surrounds them, as well as players on your own roster. Burrow, a barometer for quarterback excellence, serves this purpose well.

In the national championship, the Redskins don’t have to be interested in Burrow to study him, and juxtapose his performance with that of Dwayne Haskins. Where does he have Haskins beat? How can Haskins supplement his game based on Burrow’s template, to further strive for excellence? Where does Haskins’ upside outmatch Burrow’s? What changes led to Burrow’s breakout 2019 season, and how can the Redskins emulate those changes, to help Haskins reach his true potential? Asking these questions could help Ron Rivera and company make more informed decisions in the coming months, in regards to Haskins’ development.

Projected Round Value: Lol, 1

Next. Three things the Redskins can learn from playoff teams. dark

Any players we didn’t mention that you feel deserve some love? Who would you choose from this list, if you were forced to pick only one? Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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