The 2020 NFL Draft is just days away and the Washington Redskins will be adding seven new players to their roster.
The drama surrounding the NFL draft will be far different than what we have seen in recent years. The coronavirus has affected every sector of the population, including sports. The 2020 NFL Draft was to be held in Las Vegas, but a nationwide lockdown has forced the league to instead hold a virtual draft.
Today, we present a Redskins mock that features no trades of any kind. They hold seven selections in the first, third, fourth (two picks), fifth, and seventh (two picks) rounds. Team needs according to most draft analysts tend to focus on tight end, offensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback and overall depth.
Some fans tend to feast on mocks each spring and others tend to loathe the annual practice of prognosticating the draft. The main objective of these mock drafts should center on providing information on prospects who might be a good fit for the Redskins. There is no such thing as a perfect mock and it shouldn’t be a tool for wishful thinking.
Round 1 – Ohio State EDGE Chase Young – 6’5″, 265
Chase Young is the consensus number one overall player in the 2020 draft and he is there for the taking. Don’t look for any trades down unless a team wanting to trade up is willing to surrender the following: Most of their 2020 draft, a significant portion of their 2021 picks, and several of their 2022 draft choices. Will such a trade happen? It is not likely. Young is the obvious choice here and the Redskins will make the virtual selection.
Young comes from Ohio State, a program that has produced superior edge defenders over the years, including the Bosa brothers. He would have an immediate impact on the Redskins defense and his presence will alter offenses in the NFC East for many years to come. Quarterbacks and running backs will fear him. Young will fit in nicely with Jack Del Rio’s 4-3 defense.
Round 3 – Dayton TE Adam Trautman – 6’5″, 250
Football analysts agree – there are no first-round tight end prospects in this draft. The same can be said of the second round, but one tight end could slip into the latter stages of Round 2. The Redskins need a good tight end, and one could be available early in the third round – Adam Trautman of Dayton.
Trautman has become a fan favorite in recent months and he is certainly an intriguing prospect. His potential is enormously high, even though he hasn’t been playing the tight end position for very long (originally a quarterback). He can fill each of the tight end roles effectively and as needed. Trautman’s 4.7 40 speed doesn’t seem to hurt his draft stock, but don’t expect him to line up at wide receiver. Playing at a lower conference program hurts him only minimally, but his superb blocking skills and overall tenacity is a huge plus.
Round 4 – LSU OT Saahdiq Charles – 6’4″, 320
Saahdiq Charles has been quite busy this offseason as he has added about 25 pounds of bulk and muscle to his frame. The biggest complaint from scouts regarding Charles was his lack of strength, but an offseason regimen has those same scouts re-assessing that evaluation.
Charles is mobile and while some of his techniques need minor adjustments, this determined Cajun County Bayou Bengal is definitely ready for life at the next level. He could become a starter by midseason or possibly sooner. Charles does come with some character issues after missing a few games in 2019, but those concerns are behind him now.
Round 4 Comp Pick – St. John OT Ben Bartch – 6’6”, 310
Hey, who is Ben Bartch? He’s an offensive tackle. Where did he play college ball? St. John – in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s solid and highly underrated. Bartch has all of the intangibles to succeed in the NFL as a tackle, but will need time to learn the nuances of the position – left side or right side.
Bartch started his football life as a high school tight end in Oregon and wasn’t highly recruited. He changed positions at St. John and prospered. Bartch is a quick learner and could be a legitimate starter within a year, maybe sooner. He continues to add to his lanky frame and will probably gain another ten to twenty pounds of muscle.
Round 5 – Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden – 6’4”, 225
Let’s take a brief trip back to the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Redskins drafted a small Virginia college prospect (Jimmy Moreland of James Madison) in that round. Now, fast forward to the present. Could the Burgundy and Gold add another small Virginia college prospect in successive drafts?
Antonio Gandy-Golden of the Liberty Flames is a talented wide receiver who is drawing some interest from general managers around the league. The 2020 wide receiver class is thought to be the deepest in many years, and it might be the deepest ever. AGG is a solid red zone threat, but a slightly slower 40 speed hurts his draft stock a bit. He is strictly an X and Z receiver. AGG is not an inside option, but he is shifty and deceptively quick.
Round 7, Pick 1 – North Carolina S Myles Dorn – 6’2”, 205
North Carolina product Myles Dorn was a three-year starter for the Tar Heels and that could serve him well in the NFL. He has the prototypical size for a free safety, but seems bit slender for a box player. Dorn has produced varying degrees of success as a deep safety, but will need time to adjust at the next level. He probably needs to make the roster as a special teams player and is probably a practice squad candidate at this juncture.
Round 7, Pick 2 – SMU WR James Proche – 6’0”, 195
James Proche has this amazing and uncanny ability to make spectacular catches, including numerous one-handed gems. It seems as if he has super glue on his hands at all times. Proche all but catches everything that comes his way. He is not the fastest player and does have some trouble getting separation from defenders. His route tree is a bit limited and he needs to work on blocking skills.
The draft is nearly on our doorstep. Are any of these players heading to the Redskins? The first round pick is a lock. From there, we have to wait and see, but one thing is certain. There will be more mock drafts before April 23.