Redskins outcome probabilities at No. 2 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft
By Ian Cummings
No. 3 – Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah
Probability: 5 percent
Picking a cornerback at No. 2 overall might not be the type of move Ron Rivera and Kyle Smith want to make, especially in this deep cornerback class. Thus, the probability is low here, but there’s still a chance that the Redskins go with a different Ohio State defender with their early pick.
Cornerback is almost as important a position as edge rusher in the modern NFL; depending on who you talk to, it might be the most important defensive position. And it just so happens that Jeffrey Okudah wouldn’t be a reach this early. There’d likely be better value available elsewhere, but Okudah himself has blue-chip potential, and he’s a top five prospect on a lot of draft boards.
Okudah brings the desired mix of length and athleticism to the cornerback position. He has the hip fluidity to match receivers down the field, and the outrageous closing speed to break on passes and make plays on the ball. He needed ball production in 2019 to complete his draft profile, and he got it, logging three interceptions and nine pass deflections in 13 games.
The Redskins have a glaring need at cornerback, where Quinton Dunbar, an albeit strong cover man who has trouble staying healthy, is their No. 1 positional talent. Rivera and Del Rio could attempt to coach up the players they have, but a cornerback tandem of Dunbar and Okudah is a tantalizing proposition. Value ultimately keeps this from being a legitimate possibility, but it’s still worth discussing.