4 biggest positions of need for Washington in 2022 draft

With the regular season officially over, the Washington Football Team can turn their attention to the offseason. If you can believe it, only the playoffs and free agency stand between the franchise and the 2022 draft.

Speaking of which, after Sunday’s late-afternoon slate of games from Week 18, Washington will officially pick No. 11 in the draft.

While fans don’t want to rush the process, Washington’s front office is surely counting down the days until they get the chance to make amends for their disappointing showing in last year’s showcase.

In a vacuum, it’s pretty concerning fourth-round tight end John Bates emerged as the most consistent performer from the 2021 class.

Jamin Davis, selected No. 19 overall, could have a different role next year, second-rounder Sam Cosmi showed promise, but injuries and a brief spell on the COVID list limited him to just nine games and third-rounder Dyami Brown managed just one game with over 50 yards receiving.

So, with the dust officially settled on the 2021-22 regular season, what positions should take precedence for Washington this April? While you can make an argument that every position could use some bolstering, these personnel groups are desperate to add some meat to the proverbial bone.

4 biggest draft needs for the Washington Football Team

4. Cornerback/Safety

We know what you’re thinking: Washington has Kendall Fuller, William Jackson, Kamren Curl and Landon Collins locked up through next season. How do they possibly need a cornerback and safety? It’s a fair question.

In terms of the CB position, we’re not denying that having two borderline elite options is a luxury. However, the NFL’s best defenses generally have three reliable options and we learned throughout the 2021-22 season that Washington doesn’t.

Danny Johnson showed flashes, but he showed in Week 17 vs the Eagles that he’s not quite ready for a prominent role. He’s also a free agent. Benjamin St-Juste, on the other hand, oozed potential as a third-round rookie, but found himself in concussion protocol on three (!) separate occasions, limiting him to just nine games.

If that’s not a red flag, then what is? No, we’re not writing St-Juste off after one season, but Washington would be smart to used another middle-round pick on a cornerback in case his concussion issues linger.

Moving to the safety position, we actually had it higher on the list before reports leaked Washington’s interest in wanting to re-sign Bobby McCain. With that said, we don’t hate the idea of drafting Curl’s future running mate.

With McCain and Curl starting, and Collins serving as the top backup, Washington could afford to groom whomever they draft and have him ready to step into a starter’s role as a sophomore.

By then, Curl, assuming he continues on his current trajectory, would be due for a contract extension, so the timing works out perfectly.

Nabbing a CB should be the priority, but fans’ appetites should be appeased if Washington can walk out of the 2022 draft with a player at each position.