Washington Football Team 7-round mock, trading up to the seventh pick
By Ian Cummings
Round 5, Pick 140 – ECU OT D’Ante Smith
All things considered, the Washington Football Team is better than most in the trenches. Having said that, they can still invest resources on the line. Their defensive line, while stout, may undergo changes within a couple years, and their offensive line might be due for a negative regression in 2021.
Washington has solid depth across the board on the line, and it’s entirely possible that Cornelius Lucas and Wes Schweitzer return as solid starters for a second straight year. However, seeing that they’ve never been able to string together consistency in the past is a reason for pause. Having more youth and long-term upside might serve Washington well, and in Round 5, ECU tackle D’Ante Smith fits the bill.
Smith is noticeably underweight for an NFL tackle; at the Senior Bowl, he weighed in at just 294 pounds, with a 6-foot-5 frame. However, he also came with the longest arms of all Senior Bowl offensive linemen, with limbs measuring almost three feet each. His total wingspan measured at over 85 inches, trailing only Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood in terms of length.
Smith’s length is elite, and he supplemented that length with excellent athleticism and balance all week in practice. Offensive line was one of the positions I watched closely at the Senior Bowl, and Smith, while never dominant, was steady all week. He showcased tremendous physical upside, and he also moved along the line, playing at guard and tackle. That potential and versatility makes him a great pick at this juncture.