Washington Football Team 7-round mock draft: Trading up to No. 5

Round 5, Pick 140: S Richard LeCounte, Georgia

With the additional fifth acquired in the trade down with the Lions, Washington acquires a potential answer for their deep safety problem. Richard LeCounte is a very instinctive, smart football player. And he has solid potential as a playmaker.

He doesn’t have elite athleticism but LeCounte clearly had a higher level understand of the safety position than most. He seemed to be constantly around the ball and totaled seven interceptions over his final two seasons at Georgia.

He also comes with great positional flexibility. He could be seen playing Cover 2 safety from a deep two safety look. He can play the single high safety position, and he even came down to slot corner for some man coverage.

LeCounte is instinctive and smart. Given his lack of sheer athleticism, it can be assumed that he has a very good work ethic. And LeCounte was a leader. He commanded the Bulldog secondary in his final season.

The issues with LeCounte’s game comes down to athleticism. He is not all that fast and not all that big. That could possibly make him a tweener at the next level. He might not fast enough to be the single high safety and might not be big enough to come into the box and make some hits.

With that said, LeCounte’s instincts make him well worth this mid-Day 3 selection. With the hopes that an NFL training regiment gives him some added bulk and strength, Jack Del Rio can help tap into those instincts of LeCounte’s to become that true deep safety for Washington. His positional flexibility is just a bonus.