The Washington Football Team needs talented players on offense for 2021 after the unit struggled in 2020. This mock draft can address each of those needs.
NFL free agency begins in a few days and the NFL draft arrives in about seven weeks. The 2021 NFL season is on our doorsteps and is ready to bust the door wide open! Various teams across the league will retool their rosters and others will start the arduous process of complete rebuilds.
The Washington Football Team is likely to tinker with the defense somewhat, but several major changes are likely coming to the offense.
We return to the recent “Either/Or” mock draft format, but we add a twist to it today. This mock will feature players on offense only.
Washington is very unlikely to select an entire draft haul on one side of the line only, but stranger things have happened in the sport. We’ll take a look today to see what could possibly happen – if the Burgundy and Gold took this unusual step.
There are no trades with this mock draft. It is difficult with such a format, but we will be featuring 16 possible weapons (Washington has eight picks) on offense for your consideration in re-building an offense that could use more talent. We are going to assume that Washington has addressed the quarterback position prior to the draft. Let’s see if we can find some gems on offense!
Round 1
Either…
Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech – 6-5, 315
During the first few games of 2020, the Washington Football Team was having several issues along the offensive line. A bit of retooling made the unit better, but Christian Darrisaw is a left tackle who can help elevate the offensive line to solid levels – possibly elite levels. Darrisaw takes pride in dominating his opponents on each play and is a likely starter as a rookie.
Or:
Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida – 6-5, 240
Each year there are players who are considered to be generational talents at their respective positions. Washington was able to select such a talent in the first round in 2020 (Chase Young) and could do so again if Kyle Pitts is there at the 19th overall selection.
He could slide to the Burgundy and Gold if enough teams, as expected, load up on quarterbacks, wide receivers, tackles, and linebackers. Pitts can block, especially as an F tight end. He can line up outside as a receiver and play tight to the line, obviously.
Verdict: Taking either player at 19 is a solid move. Let’s give the edge to Darrisaw. You can never have enough players in the trenches on either side of the ball.
Round 2
Either…
Pat Freiermuth, Tight End, Penn State – 6-5, 260
After making our choice in Round 1, here is another tight end. Pat Freiermuth is universally slotted by analysts as the second-best tight end in the 2021 draft. The Washington Football Team would have a lethal combo with Logan Thomas and Freiermuth. This Nittany Lion can catch and block with the best of them and he would see the field a lot in his first season.
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Or…
Dillon Radunz, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State – 6-5.5, 305
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance has generated a lot of attention during this off-season and rightfully so. However, another star for the Bison is offensive tackle Dillon Radunz and while he hasn’t grabbed the headlines that his quarterback has enjoyed, scouts and analysts see a rising talent. Teams across the league see it as well and Radunz is likely to be selected on Day 2 of the draft.
Washington would get a mauler in the rushing offense and a pass protector that could use a bit of time in adjusting to NFL edge rushers. Radunz should add 10 to 20 pounds of muscle/bulk to his lanky frame. He enjoyed a solid Senior Bowl outing against top talents heading to the NFL and should produce a successful career for many years to come.
Verdict: If Freiermuth is there at pick 51, you run to the podium and prepare for Round 3.
Round 3
Washington picks twice in this round and we will feature two players plus two more to complete the exercise.
Either…
Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma St. – 6-0, 190
Tylan Wallace is still a good pick at this juncture. Here is what we said about him in the first “Either/Or” mock draft.
"The Washington Football Team is likely to add a stud receiver in free agency. That would make for a lethal combination with Terry McLaurin, but adding Tylan Wallace to this mix would transform the receiver corps to an elite level in just one offseason. Wallace is the perfect complement in such a scenario. He’s an excellent option for short routes, slants, wide receiver screens and intermediate routes. He is not a speedster, but he doesn’t need to be in this offense. The Oklahoma St. star can move the chains on sustained drives and provide a good second or third option for the quarterback."
Or…
Elijah Moore, Wide Receiver, Mississippi – 5-9, 185
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If Elijah Moore was three or four inches taller, we would be talking about him as a first-round talent. He’s lightning fast. He is a superb route runner. He can line up on the outside or as a slot receiver – Moore is comfortable in any offensive alignment.
Moore is a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Due to his stature, this Rebel is not the best of blockers and that is why most of his production is likely to be as a slot. He is a sure bet to snag 70 to 80 receptions a year.
Either:
Brevin Jordan, Tight End, Miami – 6-4, 245
Brevin Jordan continues to be a focus here at Riggo’s Rag for a reason. He is a talented, but somewhat underrated tight end. Analysts tend to rate him as a third or fourth-rounder, but he could rise into the second round.
Jordan is a bona fide weapon and will catch nearly every pass that is thrown his way. He is also a superb blocker.
Or:
Landon Dickerson, Offensive Guard, Alabama – 6-6, 325
Landon Dickerson began his collegiate career at Florida State and then he transferred to Alabama. At both stops, he was a rock-solid lineman who played all five positions on the offensive line. Dickerson’s calling is at guard where he could carve out a long and productive career in the NFL. He could be a possible starter from day one for the Washington Football Team.
Verdict: Moore is an exciting player and he would do well in Scott Turner’s offense. Dickerson provides good value here and he is a versatile lineman and you can never have enough players in the trenches – that sounds familiar.
Round 4
Either:
Kellen Mond, Quarterback, Texas A&M – 6-3, 215
Football analyst Chris Sims thinks highly of Kellen Mond and says that it wouldn’t surprise him if the Texas A&M quarterback is selected in the first round. That is high praise indeed, but it is not overly realistic.
However, Mond does generate a fair amount of positive analysis and the Washington Football Team could find a quarterback gem in the fourth round. After regressing a bit in 2019, Mond played well in 2020 against quality teams in the SEC. He could be a solid starter within a year and a possible franchise quarterback in the making.
Or:
Jamie Newman, Quarterback, Wake Forest – 6-4, 230
Here is our most recent profile and analysis on Jamie Newman.
"If the Washington Football Team fails to secure a quarterback in free agency or in the early rounds of the draft, they may need to invest in a player who will need to sit on the bench for a year. He will then work his way to becoming a franchise quarterback for the Burgundy and Gold. That quarterback could be Jamie Newman."
Taking a flyer on a low floor/high ceiling prospect like Newman makes all the sense in the world at that point.
Verdict: When Jamie Newman decided to opt-out for 2020 (COVID) and not play at Georgia, that hurt his draft status. Mond is intriguing and would be the right choice here.
Round 5
Either:
Trey Sermon, Running Back, Ohio State – 6-1, 215
We’ve talked about Trey Sermon recently and what was said then still applies. If the Washington Football Team doesn’t sign a free agent running back in the coming days or weeks, then it is likely one will be drafted.
Sermon could give Antonio Gibson a breather when needed and he can be a good third-down back as well. Having Sermon and J.D. McKissic on the field at the same time would create difficulties for opposing defenses.
Or:
Chuba Hubbard, Running Back, Oklahoma State – 6-0, 205
Shame, shame if you have been spelling Chuba Hubbard’s name incorrectly (it is not “Chubba” – we assume “Hubbard” is correct)! Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, Hubbard migrated to Stillwater, OK, and proceeded to become one of the better college running backs in recent years. His rushing skills are superb, but Hubbard’s pass-catching skills need some work.
Verdict: Trey Sermon earns the nod here with his overall skillsets and he would be a great fit in Washington’s system.
Round 7
Washington has two selections in this round.
Either:
Robert Jones, Offensive Guard, Middle Tennessee State – 6-5, 330
Robert Jones met with the Washington Football Team at the Senior Bowl and they could have a genuine interest in the sizable guard. He has played tackle at the JUCO level and for the Blue Raiders. Jones will move to guard at the next level. He will be a developmental prospect, but his talent could propel him to a starting role within a year or two.
Or:
Ryan McCollum, Offensive Guard, Texas A&M – 6-5, 305
Ryan McCollum was an important part of what most analysts consider to be the best offensive line in the nation in 2020. He had one year of eligibility remaining and should’ve stayed in school to enhance his resume in 2021. However, McCollum chose to enter the draft and adding him in the seventh round could be a good option. He would be a candidate for the practice squad.
Either:
Warren Jackson, Wide Receiver, Colorado State – 6-6, 215
Warren Jackson is an obvious project and he would likely be placed on the practice squad in his first season. He does have long-term potential, but his goals for the next couple of years should be devoted to improvement and learning what it takes to be an NFL receiver. Jackson is raw, but the talent is there. Would the Washington Football Team be patient enough to invest that kind of time in him?
Or:
Alaric Jackson, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Iowa – 6-6, 320
Alaric Jackson explored the possibility of entering the 2020 draft and most analysts had him rated anywhere from the first to third rounds. What a difference one year makes.
At this juncture, can Jackson be a rostered tackle or will his dream fade away later this summer? The potential to be a good depth option is possible, but he is facing an uphill battle. Perhaps a year or two on the practice squad can give him the foundation to succeed.
Verdict: Jones will provide excellent value in this round and he could be rostered sooner than anyone thinks. Alaric Jackson needs a chance and the Washington Football could stash him on the practice squad.
Additional Thoughts
Will the Washington Football Team draft offense only next month? It is highly unlikely, but the Carolina Panthers selected defense only in 2020. It just so happens that the general manager for that draft was none other than Marty Hurney, the current vice president of football/player personnel for Washington.
We’ll do a defense only mock draft in the coming days, but it will not be with the either/or format – just a routine mock. Defense is not likely to receive as much attention in the draft and it makes more sense to use the format for offense only.
The either/or format may appear in more mocks this month, but the mocks in April will be the normal format – with trades and no trades.
Free agency will have predictable effects on the draft and every new mock will reflect these changes accordingly. The Washington Football Team has obvious needs and we’ll address that as well.
The intensity is about to shift into the highest gear and we’re here to cover every bit of it over the next several weeks.