For the Redskins, the No. 2 pick is a win, either way
By Ian Cummings
It’s only January, and already, there’s been much debate about what the Redskins should do with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Many believe the favorite to go to Washington at that juncture is Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young, who’s far and away the top edge prospect on the board, and arguably the best player in the class. But others aren’t as sold on Young, or they at least want the Washington Redskins to look at other options.
It’s unclear how many options the Redskins will have at the No. 2 pick. The pick could garner trade consideration, as it’s believed to be the top non-quarterback slot in the 2020 NFL Draft. Teams will be looking to trade with the Lions at No. 3, and thus, teams looking to leapfrog other quarterback-needy franchises will be calling Washington at No. 2. Given how good Justin Herbert has looked at the Senior Bowl this weekend, that possibility grows more legitimate by the day.
That said, there’s a risk involved with trading back, in that the Redskins no longer control their destiny, as to who they’ll acquire. Even beside Young, they have some options at No. 2. Isaiah Simmons could hear his name called, if the team is high enough on his versatility on defense. An offensive tackle could be the surprise pick. But once the Redskins trade back, they relinquish that freedom. They gain more assets to restore their talent base, in a class that’s deep at positions of need, but they also put themselves at the mercy of the draft board.
There are a lot of risks wherever the Redskins choose to go in the 2020 NFL Draft, but as long as they scout well and execute the pre-draft process effectively, possessing the No. 2 pick will be a win for them either way. They can stay at No. 2 and get an elite talent like Young or Simmons, or they can trade back, accumulate assets, and undergo a more substantial effort to overhaul their squad.
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The beauty of the NFL Draft is that there are options, and already this winter, there’s been no shortage of debate, as to what option is best for the Redskins. At the end of it all, however, just having the No. 2 overall pick is a good thing, and it provides lots of potential energy for future success.