The 2020 NFL virtual draft was a surprising success, but it is in the history books now and the Redskins have added eight new players.
The NFL did a fine job with the virtual draft last week and while it wasn’t the grand spectacle of Las Vegas, the league was able to produce a unique experience for the fans.
The Redskins were able to supplement their roster with eight new prospects across five different rounds (they did not have picks in the second and seventh rounds). The front office was able to facilitate a trade for disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams just moments before the start of round four. It netted them an extra fifth-round selection and a third-round pick in 2021.
Today, we take a look at the 2020 draft class and offer an initial assessment of each player and assign an overall grade for the team. While making a snap judgment of any draftees is typically ill-advised, many football analysts do so at this time of the year.
When evaluating any draft class, it is wise to do so after a year or more in order to get a true understanding of the impact of that particular group of players. Yet, here we are and guess what – this is going to be a first impression and evaluation of the Redskins draftees for 2020. We will also take a quick look at the known undrafted free agents (UDFA) that have signed with Washington. Let’s jump right in!
Round 1
Chase Young, Edge/DE, Ohio State (6-5, 265)
You have heard everything about him and how he will impact the NFL. It’s all true. Young will alter the plans that offensive coordinators have in place for each game.
Young’s presence on the defensive line will automatically improve the fortunes of Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Montez Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan, and Tim Settle. He will have that kind of impact. Just the mention of his name will cause nightmares for opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
Young was the consensus number one player in the draft and Redskins defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio must be salivating at the thought of Chase Young lining up opposite from last year’s first round selection, Montez Sweat. The Redskins now have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL – possibly the best.
Grade: A+
Round 3
Antonio Gibson, RB/WR/KR, Memphis (6-0, 228)
Gibson is an exciting player. No doubt about it. The Memphis Tigers product doesn’t consider himself to be a wide receiver or a running back. He wants to be known simply as a weapon – the kind of weapon that is lethal to enemy defenses.
While that may sound a bit scary, Gibson is a bona fide offensive masterpiece that will cause defensive coordinators a great deal of concern from day one. He is part Chris Thompson, part Christian McCaffrey, part Earl Campbell, and part Reggie Bush all rolled up into one player.
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Gibson still has a lot to learn, but that is his ceiling. Don’t expect him to be a starter, but all he needs is six to eight touches a game and his impact will be phenomenal.
You may recall that we had Gibson mocked in the fourth round recently, but taking him in the third round was probably a wise move. Many teams were likely interested in his services and the Redskins made a bold choice early in round three. We’ll never know if Gibson would’ve been there in the fourth round, but let’s grade on the curve here.
Grade: B+
Round 4
Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU (6-4, 320)
It’s time for a bit of self-aggrandizing. The aforementioned mock draft was completely accurate with this selection. Self kudos aside, the addition of Saahdiq Charles officially ends the Trent Williams era in Washington.
If it wasn’t for some character concerns, Charles was destined to be a possible first round selection. Is that cause for concern? Yes, but the Redskins did their homework and came away impressed with a young man who is trying to keep his life in the right direction.
Charles will need some time to adjust to life in the NFL, but he could be a solid starter much sooner than many may anticipate.
Grade: A
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty (6-4, 225)
Picking up Antonio Gandy-Golden in the fourth round provides excellent value for the Redskins.
The 2020 draft arguably produced the highest number of talented receivers in history. In most years, AGG is probably a second-round selection. While it is true that playing for a non-power five conference school hurt him in the draft, many talent evaluators had nothing but praise for the small college prospect.
The last Virginia small-college wide receiver to have a major impact with the Redskins was Gary Clark. Antonio Gandy-Golden could be even better.
Grade: A
Round 5
Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State (6-3, 310)
It’s difficult to hate this draft pick, but it is also a bit of a head-scratcher. The Redskins had an incredible opportunity to shore up their cornerback corps with a blue-chipper that plummeted in the draft due to injury.
Highly talented Bryce Hall of Virginia was there for the taking and he could’ve been stashed on injured reserve for a year. Upon returning in 2021, Hall would’ve been healthy and ready to contribute.
Keith Ismael was the choice instead. It’s difficult to hate this pick as he is talented and has a very good chance at unseating Ross Pierschbacher as the backup center.
Grade: B
Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan (5-11, 225)
Khaleke Hudson was drafted for one reason – special teams. He’s an absolute stud on special teams and he plays with an intensity that can only be described as maniacal.
Hudson is a hybrid safety/linebacker type of player and his specialty on defense is roaming the field and gravitating toward the play quickly. While free-lancing can work in college, it doesn’t necessarily translate to the NFL. Bigger blockers will push him around with considerable ease.
Having such discipline as a player seems antithetical to his style and that likely limits him to special teams duty only.
Grade: C-
Round 7
Kamren Curl, SS/FS/CB, Arkansas (6-1, 205)
Kamren Curl provides excellent value in the seventh round. The Arkansas product is a bit slow and he is really not a candidate to play deep or on the outside. He is better playing closer to the line as a strong safety and his special teams skills are solid.
This pick officially puts Deshazor Everett on notice. Curl is a hard hitter and while his calling is special teams duties, he could work into the strong safety rotation within a year or two. The only complaint centers on the Redskins not selecting a tight end at this juncture – several solid choices were available.
Grade: B+
James Smith-Williams, DE, North Carolina State (6-4, 265)
James Smith-Williams also provides excellent value in the seventh round. If it wasn’t for some unfortunate injuries in his collegiate career, including a nagging back issue in 2019, Smith-Williams is likely looking at being chosen in the third round or possibly sooner. If he can overcome bothersome injuries at the next level, this talented edge rusher could be an important rotational option on the defensive line for years to come.
Time will tell if the Redskins were able to obtain a major steal with their final pick in the 2020 draft.
Grade: A-
UDFAs and Team Grade
Undrafted free agents typically spend the spring and summer working extremely hard for a roster spot or a place on the practice squad. Most of these prospects typically see their dreams end in disappointment, but a few do make it to the football promise land. The Redskins have signed the following UDFAs thus far:
Steven Montez, QB, Colorado
Isaiah Wright, WR, Temple
Thaddeus Moss, TE, Louisiana St.
Johnathan Johnson, WR, Missouri
Montez has a realistic chance of making the roster, but is likely to wind up on the practice squad. His long-term potential is solid. Moss has the best chance of this group to make the roster. He was a significant piece in LSU’s march to a national championship. Wright is likely to wind up on the practice squad and Johnson faces an uphill battle.
Grade: B
The Redskins added plenty of quality in the first four rounds of the draft and their best round came in the fourth when two possible blue-chippers were added. The final three rounds provide a lot of versatility and depth along with a possible steal in the final round. The UDFAs signed thus far look promising.