The 2020 NFL Draft is almost here and the Washington Redskins will be adding a handful of new players to the roster.
The NFL offseason thus far has been one of frustration. Frustrating for front offices. Frustrating for players. Frustrating for prospects. Frustrating for coaches. Frustrating for analysts and pundits. Frustrating for Redskins fans. The coronavirus has changed our lives in recent months and it has affected every sport, including football. The 2020 NFL Draft will be a virtual affair and while we were all excited to see the grand spectacle in Las Vegas, the league must give into the realities of this health crisis.
Today, we present a Washington Redskins mock draft that features multiple trades. A few days ago, we produced a mock that contained no trades. The Redskins hold seven selections in the following rounds: One, three, four (two picks), five, and seven (two picks). Team needs include offensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, and overall depth.
In our no-trade edition, this is how mock drafts were described. “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”. With that in mind, let’s get right to it.
Trades
Just prior to the draft, the Redskins trade long-time left tackle Trent Williams for a fourth-round selection. The front office also moves down a few selections in Round 3, and they are able to obtain additional picks in Rounds 4 and 5. The front office is now armed with ten picks in the 2020 draft.
The No. 2 overall pick in the first round is unlikely to be traded. The team would like to have a second-round choice, but that is simply unrealistic.
Round 1
Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State – 6’5″, 265
Here is what was written regarding Chase Young in the no-trade edition a few days ago.
"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. 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 St. – 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
Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue – 6’5”, 245
Brycen Hopkins is a superb receiver and he is able to run any route you assign to him. He has decent hands, but needs to secure the ball much quicker after a reception. Hopkins is a decent blocker on screens, sweeps and downfield passes, but not in short yardage sets. He should consider adding about ten pounds of muscle and bulk to his frame.
This Purdue Boilermaker has good upside, but he will need a bit of time to adjust to the speed and power of tenacious defenders. Hopkins is not the flashiest of receivers, but he will move the chains and provide a solid presence in the red zone.
Round 4
Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU – 6’4”, 320
Saahdiq Charles comes with some red flags and that hurts his draft stock a bit. He missed a few games this past season due to disciplinary issues, but the problems are behind him now as he is focused on life in the NFL. While the Redskins are probably concerned, they did meet with him at the combine and had a virtual meeting as well. The talented tackle has been busy in the offseason, as he has added 25 pounds of muscle to his frame. Scouts believed that Charles lacked strength for a lineman, but his offseason regimen has alleviated many of those doubts. Charles needs a little bit of fine tuning, but he could become a starter at some point in the upcoming season.
Antonio Gibson, RB/WR/KR, Memphis – 6’1”, 225
Antonio Gibson is a talented wide receiver. Wait! Gibson is also a talented running back. But wait! There is more! He is also a talented kick returner. Gibson was fairly decent at each of these positions a few years ago in community college. A year later, he saw very little action in his first season as a Memphis Tiger. Then, 2019 magically happened. 38 receptions at 19 yards a catch with eight touchdowns. 33 carries at 11 yards per run and four touchdowns. 28 yards per return and a touchdown. How about Gibson’s 4.39 40 speed? Does Gibson remind Ron Rivera of Christian McCaffrey? With just one season of production, that hurts his stock somewhat, but Gibson would provide good value here.
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas – 6’6”, 220
Collin Johnson is definitely underrated, but that will be advantageous to the Redskins. Many analysts thought the lanky wide receiver would enter the 2019 NFL Draft after a very solid junior season. He was projected to be a possible second-round selection, but no lower than a third-rounder. Johnson decided to stay in school one more year, but a hamstring injury hindered his senior season and it is now affecting his draft status. Less than stellar quarterback play during his tenure as a Longhorn limited him as well. Johnson is very talented and will likely have a solid NFL career.
Ben Bartch, OT, Saint John – 6’6”, 310
Not too many fans have heard the name “Ben Bartch”, especially after playing his college ball at Saint John – a small school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s a good offensive tackle and while fans are just getting to know him, Bartch caught the attention of scouts across the league last season. He possesses all of the intangibles to succeed in the NFL, but will need time to learn the nuances of the position. This obscure gem was originally recruited as a tight end, but a change to the offensive line altered his football life. He has been adding weight and muscle in the offseason.
Round 5
Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia – 6’4”, 335
Solomon Kindley played next to one of the best offensive tackles in the nation (Andrew Thomas), but has been garnering plenty of attention from scouts as well. He has superb athleticism for such a large man and tends to shine mostly in the ground attack. This Georgia Bulldog is a better than average pass protector, but his techniques could use some improvement.
Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford – 6’7”, 255
Could the Redskins be looking to add another sizable tight end? Feast your eyes on Colby Parkinson. He didn’t drop a pass in 2019 – not a single drop. He is an above-average blocker, but there is an expectation of improving this facet of his game. He’s also an excellent red zone target. A slow 40-time (4.77) is going to limit where he is chosen in the draft, but in various passing schemes, he can line up in the slot or line up outside for slants and various medium patterns. Parkinson’s versatility will prevent him from falling into the late rounds.
Round 7
Steven Montez, QB, Colorado – 6’5”, 235
Most analysts would agree that Steven Montez is not your most polished quarterback in this year’s crop, but he does have plenty of talent for the Redskins to work with in the future. Montez is fairly mobile for a big signal caller and he can make plays after escaping the pressure of a collapsed pocket. He needs to work on poise and rely on the play as it is designed. Montez is a strong-armed project, but he has the potential to be a long-term backup or spot starter.
Cameron Clark, OL, North Carolina-Charlotte – 6’4”, 310
Cameron Clark is one of those hidden small school gems that has managed to gain only minimal notoriety as an NFL prospect. However, the Redskins seem to be very interested in his services. They had meetings with him at the East-West Shrine game, and there was a virtual connection recently. Clark was considered by some to be a bit slender for an offensive lineman, but he has added about 20 pounds of muscle in recent months. He dominated the line of scrimmage against Clemson early in the 2019 season. Some analysts believe Clark could be a guard at the next level, but don’t be surprised if he is a starting right tackle within a year or two.
The draft is almost here and the Redskins will soon be on the virtual clock. Ron Rivera’s first draft as the Redskins coach will be scrutinized for many weeks and we will be here to cover it all for you. You’ve seen numerous mock drafts in recent days and now it is time to see who is drafted by the Burgundy and Gold.