Mid-season Washington Football Team mock draft

The Washington Football Team is currently looking at a top ten selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and it could present the organization with an opportunity to finally choose the franchise quarterback of their dreams.

Fans of the Washington football franchise have been dreaming about a true centerpiece at the most important playing position for decades.  There have been solid quarterbacks with Washington over the years, but not a franchise type of player since Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen retired after the 1974 season.  That is a long time, but Washington has an opportunity to make a difference in the 2022 draft and finally add that special quarterback.

Today, we will give you a short, quick, and powerful Nameless Football Team 2022 mock draft.  The emphasis will be quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, safety, and linebacker.  We’re in the middle of the 2021 season (reached during halftime of the Tampa Bay game) and the team is struggling with a 3-6 record, so let’s toss in a trade for extra excitement and to lift the spirits of longsuffering fans.

Round One

Washington doesn’t waste time thinking about the selection and takes a preferred quarterback at this juncture of round one.

Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh – 6-3, 220

Malik Willis, Matt Corral, and Kenny Pickett are the consensus top three quarterbacks and Washington is able to add Pittsburgh’s signal caller.  Blessed with a solid arm and arguably the most pro-ready quarterback in this class, Pickett is truly ready for the next level.

Pickett is likely to start on opening day and his impact could bring immediate results to Washington.

Other Possible Selections

• Matt Corral, Quarterback, Mississippi
• Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
• Carson Strong, Quarterback, Nevada
• Desmond Ritter, Quarterback, Cincinnati
• Sam Howell, Quarterback, North Carolina

Round Two

Trade: Washington moves lower into round two and gains a third-rounder and a fourth-round selection in the process.

Darian Kinnard, Offensive Tackle, Kentucky – 6-5, 345

Darian Kinnard is an athletic tackle with a lot of upside at the next level.  He would likely be a day one starter and his impact would be immediate.  Many analysts believe that Kinnard would’ve been a second-day pick in the 2021 draft, but he decided to return to the Wildcats for another season.  If Kinnard is able to lose about 10 to 15 pounds and gain some muscle in the process, he will be even better.

Other Possible Selections

• Bernhard Raimann, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
• Daxton Hill, Free Safety/Cornerback, Michigan
• Trevor Penning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
• Noah Daniels, Cornerback, Texas Christian
• Sean Rhyan, Offensive Tackle, UCLA

Round Three

Brandon Joseph, Free Safety, Northwestern – 6-1, 195

Brandon Joseph went from relative obscurity to instant stardom last year at Northwestern and his production has been equally as impressive this year.  This ballhawk is an interception machine and he is not afraid to make the brutally tough tackle.  Joseph is highly competitive and could be a starter very early in his first season with the Burgundy and Gold.

Washington rebuilds the offensive line

Thayer Munford, Offensive Guard, Ohio State – 6-6, 320

Thayer Munford would be the obvious replacement for Brandon Scherff in 2022 – assuming that Scherff moves to another team next year.  Munford is a fundamentally sound lineman with plenty of experience.  He offers solid pass protection and possesses adequate agility for rushes and screen/short passes downfield.

Other Possible Selections

• Jestin Jacobs, Linebacker, Iowa
• Zion Nelson, Offensive Tackle, Miami (FL)
• Payton Wilson, Linebacker, N.C. State
• Jaxson Kirkland, Offensive Tackle, Washington
• Daniel Faalele, Offensive Tackle, Minnesota

Round Four

Kana’i Mauga, Linebacker, Southern California – 6-2, 245

Kana’i Mauga is an underrated linebacker for the Trojans and he has the prototypical size for an NFL linebacker.  His determination to blow up running plays is evident.  Mauga is effective in pass coverage over the middle and on short routes, including quick slants.  He will need a refinement of his techniques at the next level, but the potential is there.

Sincere McCormick, Running Back, Texas-San Antonio – 5-9, 205

Sincere McCormick is electrifying and would add a whole new dynamic dimension to Washington’s running back corps.  He has led his Roadrunners to victories over the Big Ten’s Illinois and G5 powerhouse Memphis this season.  He is averaging 115 yards a game with 11 touchdowns and produces five yards per carry.  And there are two games remaining in the season.  McCormick has never fumbled the ball at UTSA.

Other Possible Selections

• Brian Asamoah, Linebacker, Oklahoma
• Ben Brown, Offensive Guard, Mississippi
• SirVocea Dennis, Linebacker, Pittsburgh
• Garrett Williams, Cornerback, Syracuse
• John Metchie, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Round Six

Bo Nix, Quarterback, Auburn – 6-3, 215

Why not?  Bo Nix flashes at times and he also has games where his performance is less than inspiring, but he does have an NFL arm and the potential to succeed as a long-term backup.  Can he be a quality starter or even a franchise player?  That isn’t likely, but Nix could start on occasion and provide some solid games when he is asked to do so.

Other Possible Selections

• Damone Clark, Linebacker, LSU
• Zach Charbonnet, Running Back, UCLA
• Josh Rivas, Offensive Guard, Kansas State
• Ellis Brooks, Linebacker, Penn State
• Myron Cunningham, Offensive Tackle, Arkansas

Round Seven

Joshua Williams, Cornerback, Fayetteville State – 6-2, 200

Joshua Williams has been a standout for all four of his seasons at FSU and could find himself on an NFL roster next fall.  He has good special teams potential and that is where he will need to get established at the next level.

Other Possible Selections

• Micah McFadden, Linebacker, Indiana
• Andrew Stueber, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Michigan
• Allie Green, Cornerback, Missouri
• Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Michigan
• Rico Jeffers, Linebacker, Texas Tech

Washington should be able to land a good quarterback in this draft if they choose to do so.  They will also have the opportunity to add more talent and depth, especially on the offensive line.

Keep in mind that mock drafts in the middle of fall look far different in the winter and spring.  After the 2021 season, we’ll turn our focus to free agency and the draft, but there is still a lot of football to be played this season.