Post-free agency full NFL two-round mock: Redskins trade down

The Redskins trade down does hypothetically give the Redskins a great deal of assets to work with, and compounds the value added through the NFL Draft, but it also risks passing on generational edge rusher Chase Young to the New York Giants, the Redskins’ divisional rival.

Now, granted, Young has to get past the Lions first, and that’s not particularly likely, but this pick serves the purpose of showing Redskins fans that it’s possible, and for one simple reason: Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah.

The Lions recently traded Darius Slay to the Eagles for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick. Their only returning starter at the cornerback position is Justin Coleman in the slot, and while Amani Oruwariye has exciting potential, he’s just one boundary starter. The Lions need another.

The Lions pass rush was one of the least effective in the NFL last season, but an elite secondary can help limit the strain on a rushing unit. It would be better value for Detroit to pick Young here and a cornerback at the top of Round 2, but if the Lions like Okudah enough, they could deem him too good to pass up.

Considering Okudah’s tantalizing combination of athleticism, closing speed, length, ball skills, and instincts, it’s not impossible. Improbable, maybe, but the NFL Draft vocabulary stops there.