Washington Football Team: Way-too-early 7-round 2022 mock draft

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Jahleel Billingsley #19 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is wrapped up by Tuf Borland #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Jahleel Billingsley #19 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is wrapped up by Tuf Borland #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 07: Brandon Joseph #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats incepts a pass in the end zone intended for Austin Allen #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ryan Field on November 07, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 21-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 07: Brandon Joseph #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats incepts a pass in the end zone intended for Austin Allen #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ryan Field on November 07, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 21-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 43 – Northwestern S Brandon Joseph

After picking up Jamin Davis, there isn’t much more for the Washington Football Team to do on the defensive side of the ball. They could always add another MIKE to potentially replace Jon Bostic, and they could also recoup talent on the defensive line, a position group where turnover might be experienced in the coming years.

Still, it seems as though the most pressing remaining need for Washington, at least on the defensive side of the ball, rests at free safety. Even there, players like Bobby McCain and Jeremy Reaves are facilitating competition in 2021. But by 2022, Washington may find that adding a young, high-upside player to fill that void is the optimal path.

As long as he keeps trending on his current trajectory, Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph has a lot of the traits Washington would desire from its compliment to Kamren Curl. As just a redshirt freshman in 2020, Joseph earned All-American honors, amassing 52 total tackles, 6 interceptions, and 2 pass deflections.

In the process, Joseph established himself as one of the top defensive playmakers in the Big Ten, showing off the athleticism, instincts, and ball skills to be a legitimate game changer. And at 6’1″, 192 pounds, he’s not small, either. If Joseph can continue to stand out as a redshirt sophomore, he can generate interest in the 2022 NFL Draft.