Washington Football Team: Which positions are most valuable on Day 2?
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – Wide Receiver
Now here’s the part where I call myself out. I have been a proponent of picking Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith at No. 19 if either of them fall. Much like the prospect of Jaycee Horn or Micah Parsons falling, I think the value would be too good to pass up for Washington, a team that still needs more help at wide receiver — especially with Waddle, who’s an excellent scheme fit and my top-rated receiver.
Nevertheless, I must concede: The 2021 NFL Draft’s deepest position might be wide receiver. And while the prospect of having Waddle, Terry McLaurin, and Curtis Samuel — or Rashod Bateman, McLaurin, and Samuel — is enticing, there’s also a near limitless supply of great value on Day 2 and early Day 3. If no big names are there at No. 19, deferring to this list makes a lot of sense:
- Terrace Marshall Jr. – LSU
- Kadarius Toney – Florida
- Elijah Moore – Ole Miss
- Rondale Moore – Purdue
- Dyami Brown – North Carolina
- Amon-Ra St. Brown – USC
- Nico Collins – Michigan
- Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma State
- Amari Rodgers – Clemson
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette – Iowa
- Austin Watkins – UAB
- Trevon Grimes – Florida
- D’Wayne Eskridge – Western Michigan
- Simi Fehoko – Stanford
- Marquez Stevenson – Houston
- Seth Williams – Auburn
- Jaelon Darden – North Texas
Given the wide receivers’ tendency to drop in recent years, it’s not out of the question that over half of the players on this list are still available at pick No. 82 in the third round. I’m partial to players like Dyami Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Nico Collins, and Tylan Wallace. All four of those players have more boundary-oriented skill sets. St. Brown, in particular, looks like one of the class’ most underrated weapons to me.
The sheer value on Day 2 makes receiver a near necessity if the Washington Football Team passes on the position in Round 1. Additionally, if they somehow make it to Day 3 without picking one, the receiver class is also incredibly deep in that range. Players like Brandon Smith, Jonathan Adams Jr., Tamorrion Terry, Jalen Camp, Dez Fitzpatrick, Josh Imatorbhebhe, Tim Jones, Brennan Eagles, and Mike Strachan all offer exciting potential. The names go on beyond even that.
Next. Five best late-round picks for WFT since 2010. dark
The lesson to be learned from this exercise is that, while some routes may be more attractive in Round 1, as long as the Washington Football Team keeps their picks on Day 2, there’s no option they absolutely have to take. The class is deep at tackle, linebacker, and wide receiver — three of the more popular Round 1 positions among fans. Ultimately, it’s up to Washington to decide how they want to approach the value present. But there are multiple “right paths” to take.