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Redskins 7-round February mock draft: Defense early, offense late

By Ian Cummings

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 26: Anthony McFarland Jr. #5 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball against the Minnesota Gophers during the game at TCF Bank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Terrapins 52-10. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 26: Anthony McFarland Jr. #5 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball against the Minnesota Gophers during the game at TCF Bank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Terrapins 52-10. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 27: Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers makes a catch and runs the ball for the first down in the first quarter during the game Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 27: Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers makes a catch and runs the ball for the first down in the first quarter during the game Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Round 4

Round 4, Pick 105: Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

The Redskins need, need, need to address the tight end position. Vernon Davis is confirmed to be retired, and Jordan Reed might be a lot closer than people think. If Reed leaves this offseason, either by being cut or walking away, the Redskins will be left with Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges. As much as I like some of the flashes Hentges showed late, that’s not enough.

The Redskins priority at tight end is getting a receiving threat for Dwayne Haskins, as Haskins quickly developed an affinity for finding his tight ends on crucial downs in 2019. Brycen Hopkins fits this profile well, as he’s an exceptional receiving weapon with immense athletic upside for his size. He’s not an NFL-caliber blocker at this point in time, but the biggest thing Washington needs is a mismatch over the middle of the field. At 6-foot-4, 241, with plus movement skills, Hopkins is a catch (Pun intended).

Round 4, Pick 141: Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn

The Redskins have commonly been a favorite team to mock an offensive tackle in Round 3, but I waited an extra round. Why? Because reports have surfaced that the Redskins, under Ron Rivera, are on board with trying to get blue-chip tackle Trent Williams back for 2020. If they succeed, they won’t have to draft an offensive tackle early, and they’ll be able to spend a mid-to-late pick on a developmental option. Auburn’s Jack Driscoll is a nice fit for that role.

At 6-foot-5 and under 300 pounds, Driscoll has room to fill out his frame at the NFL level, but it won’t be the first time he’d be asked to make a leap to a higher level of competition. For his final collegiate season, he transferred from Massachusetts to Auburn, and he didn’t miss a beat in doing so. Driscoll has good athleticism for the position, and despite his need for added play strength, he has a general feel for hand placement and pad level in the trenches. In the short run, he’s quality depth, and in the long run, he’s a potential starter.

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