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

Defenders: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame) and S Trevon Moehrig (TCU)

The overwhelming majority of mock drafts have Washington going offense with their first pick. That makes plenty of sense, given how heavily the team has invested high draft capital in defense in recent years.

But there are obvious needs on defense and both Owusu-Koramoah and Moehrig could be valuable, immediate-impact additions. There’s a fair chance the linebacker will still be on the board at 19, and an even better chance the safety will be there. Both are playmakers. Moehrig shows exceptional play speed.

I don’t see a lot that separates both defenders from either Toney or Darrisaw in terms of ability. If Washington became convinced that any one of them was a can’t-miss prospect, I would have no issue with the selection.

Because that, to me, is the biggest thing about your first-round pick. You can’t miss on him. First-rounders need to be the bedrock of your roster. In hindsight, would you have rather taken Lamar Jackson or Darius Leonard in 2018 over Daron Payne? Yeah, you would.

But Payne was a good pick. You were more assured of what you were getting, and he has delivered on that trust. Take chances in the second or third round if you want, but make sure you are adding a player who you know will contribute in the first round.

To me, that is Darrisaw, with Toney and Moehrig as a close second and third. If you become sold on a quarterback like Jones or Lance, or another position player like Bateman, then I suppose you have to trust your instincts and go with him.

You had just better be right.