NFL Mock Draft: 4 first-round targets for Washington after recent surge

3. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Washington’s secondary has finally turned a corner.

While the cornerback position is likely set in stone, the safety position could look a lot different this time next year. Bobby McCain is an unrestricted free agent and Landon Collins’ contract, whether he’s outright released or agrees to have his deal restructured, will have to be addressed.

Even if Collins is back in the Burgundy and Gold next year, you have to think he’ll continue playing as a hybrid safety/linebacker. In other words, there will be plenty of snaps to go around alongside projected starter Kam Curl.

Enter Michigan safety Daxton Hill, who’s been a model of consistency on the Wolverines’ playoff-bound defense. For the year, Hill ranks second on the team in tackles (65) and tied for first in both pass breakups (seven) and interceptions (two).

A former five-star recruit, Hill has all the requisite physical tools at his disposal to become an elite safety. He owns a blistering 4.3-second 40-yard dash time and a 43-inch vertical. The Wolverines standout has tremendous range, is effective in man coverage and, like Curl, is a sound tackler in the open field.

With Curl and Hill, Washington would have one of the most exciting young safety tandems in the league. If the Tulsa native is available in the mid-to-late first-round, we’d be fully on board with bringing him on down to Landover.