Washington Football Team Mock Draft: Team targets offense early

2 of 8

Alabama QB Mac Jones. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] /

Round 1

Trade

The Washington Football Team trades a 2022 first-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round selection and will now possess an additional first-round pick in the 2021 draft.

Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama (6-3, 215)

More from Riggo's Rag

Like LSU quarterback Joe Burrow in early 2019, Mac Jones was not considered to be a hot quarterback prospect. After a season where he led the Crimson Tide to the national title, Jones is suddenly a prospect on the rise.

After 2019 starter Tua Tagovailoa went down with a late-season injury, Mac Jones entered the lineup and performed rather well for the remainder of the season. That experience propelled Jones to a solid 2020 campaign and a coveted ring.

Jones was considered a late-round prospect last summer, but the 2020 season was magical for him. Jones was a five-star recruit out of high school, so he has the intangibles to succeed in the NFL. His arm strength is slightly above average, but his longer passes in 2020 were solid. As for short and intermediate passes, he is excellent.

Jones moves well in the pocket and has decent scrambling abilities. Is he the Washington Football Team franchise quarterback of the future? There is only one way to find out.

Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State (6-2, 245)

Micah Parsons is the best overall linebacker in the 2021 draft, but he comes with something of a red flag. He has maturity issues and while this is a cause for concern, most of the allegations center on a bullying/fighting case against another player.

The strong leadership from Washington Football Team coaches and players will be a huge benefit to the former Nittany Lion. Drafting Parsons at this juncture is a risk, but the reward is probably worth it.

Parsons can play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, but he is probably better suited to the latter due to his size and abilities. He could start from day one at the Mike position and this would allow Cole Holcomb to move to the Will or Sam linebacker position.

Parsons is a terror in every phase of the defense. He can shoot gaps and tackle running backs for a loss. He can move laterally at blazing speed, thus shutting down screens, sweeps, and slants with considerable ease. Parsons’ explosiveness affords him the opportunity to pressure the quarterback continually. Double-digit sacks in his first season is not out of the question. He is a likely candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Other Possible First Round Targets:

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame
Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Kadarius Toney, Wide Receiver, Florida
Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State
Patrick Surtain, Cornerback, Alabama
Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech
Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida

Home/Commanders Draft News