A look at the Washington Football Team’s potential first-round draft picks

OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

I think there is a very good chance Darrisaw will be Washington’s choice in the first round. (As he is in Jacob Camenker’s mock.) He has been a starter for his entire career at Virginia Tech. He has classic left tackle size and length. He has improved both in technique and strength every year.

When you watch him, especially during his junior year, you see an athlete who can move laterally. He is never overpowered and rarely beaten with speed. Of course, playing against professionals will pose a much greater challenge but Darrisaw gives every indication of being able to make the transition.

When Washington chose Geron Christian as the starting left tackle in 2020, it raised some eyebrows amongst fans who had seen him flounder early in his career. It appears they made this choice because Christian was more athletic than his competition, Cornelius Lucas, and could better adapt to Scott Turner’s zone-blocking schemes.

After Christian went down, it became clear that despite his relative lack of athleticism, Lucas was simply a better left tackle. In Darrisaw, Turner may find the best of both worlds.

Darrisaw moves more like Christian, but he has shown to be a better pass protector, like Lucas. You can never be sure about left tackles, but I think Darrisaw would fit extremely well into the Washington Football Team line, allowing Lucas, should he remain, to become a very good swing tackle backup.