Redskins 2020 NFL 7-round mock draft: Literally all defense

Round 7

Round 7, Pick 216: Florida International DL Teair Tart

I had to do some digging for these seventh-round picks; the 2020 NFL Draft seems to be deeper on the offensive side of the ball. But these guys have upside. Teair Tart was a defensive lineman for Florida International, but his physical foundation exceeds his college pedigree. Tart is 6-foot-3, 304, with a massive 82-inch wingspan. He also offers very good explosiveness for his size, which is evident on what limited tape is available for him. The Redskins are set on the interior line, but contract years never delay, and thus, it’s never a bad idea to add rotational depth and upside. Tart is raw, but the Redskins have won big in those kinds of gambles on the defensive line.

Round 7, Pick 229: Temple LB Sam Franklin

At this point, the Redskins have added a top-tier talent in Chase Young, a potential CB1 in Noah Igbinoghene, and depth in Michael Ojemudia. They’ve added a safety in Terrell Burgess, and depth pieces at linebacker and defensive line. For this pick, I wanted to add another potential high-upside player to the position that remains the most obscure, and the position for which Ron Rivera has the strongest affinity: Linebacker. Sam Franklin is very far under the radar, and for reasonable causes; he never started a game in college. Despite this, however, Franklin saw the field often, especially in coverage situations, and he displayed potential there. At 6-foot-2, 210, he’s a bit undersized, but he’s a good athlete who can close ground quickly, and he’s another high-character player from whom Rivera could glean something more out of. If nothing else, Franklin’s size, speed, and mentality can give him a future as a special teams standout.

Other late-round defenders to watch, based on situation:

• UCLA LB Krys Barnes
• Memphis EDGE Bryce Huff
• Minnesota DB Chris Williamson
• North Dakota State EDGE Derrek Tuszka