Washington Football Team Offseason 2022 Mock Draft

The 2021 NFL season is history for the Washington Football Team and they are locked into the eleventh overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.  Is this the offseason when the front office will add a highly coveted franchise quarterback?

The 2021 NFL season progressed so quickly, but the offseason is here for Washington and we suddenly find ourselves shifting away from another seven-win season.  For the next eight months, we will focus on free agency, the draft, OTAs, rookie camp, mini-camp, training camp, and the preseason.  There will be a lot to discuss and analyze, but we have a singular focus for today.

Fans of the Washington Football Team have been clamoring for a franchise quarterback over the last three decades and their wish could come true in the coming months.  More than anything, fans want long-term stability at the position – in other words, a good quarterback that will be the team’s leader on offense for the next decade or more.  Will Washington finally make a determined effort to find that coveted franchise quarterback in the coming weeks or months?

Welcome to the first 2022 offseason mock draft from yours truly.  The soon-to-be-named football organization that is headquartered in Ashburn is obviously staring at an offseason that is the most important since becoming a member of the NFL in 1932.  A new name, the movement toward a new stadium, and the likelihood of a potential new franchise quarterback have coalesced to make this offseason the most dramatic in team history.

Today’s mock will feature a trade.  In fact, we will feature trades in most mocks over the next three months and it could include moves in free agency.  Again, Washington is seeking a quarterback that will have a significant impact for many years to come.  Other needs include a middle linebacker (and depth), free safety, offensive guard (and offensive line depth), and a sizable running back for relief and depth purposes.  Let’s take a look at our first mock.

Round One

Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama – 6-2, 190

Are you surprised?  Imagine pairing the best (arguably) wide receiver in the 2022 draft with Terry McLaurin.  It would be a lethal combination.  Williams is dealing with a torn ACL, but should be ready for training camp.  He can play as a wideout or in the slot.  Superb speed and excellent route runner.  Will stretch the field with his long strides.

Other Possible Selections

Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh

Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia

Carson Strong, Quarterback, Nevada

Kyle Hamilton, Free/Strong Safety, Notre Dame

Andrew Booth, Cornerback, Clemson

***Trade***

Washington trades their second round selection and a 2023 second round selection and moves back into round one.

Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty – 6-1, 215

In order to snag the quarterback of their choice in this draft, Washington makes a deal and re-enters the latter portion of the first round and drafts Malik Willis of Liberty.  Willis suffered from a lack of talent around him, but he was still able to prove that his physical attributes are not to be questioned.  Willis has the arm strength to heave the ball 70 yards downfield.  He can run the RPO with ease – a must in a proficiently-run Ron Rivera/Scott Turner offense.

With the first-day trade, Washington lacks a second round selection.  However, here are five prospects if the Burgundy and Gold retain their pick.

Possible Selections

Desmond Ritter, Quarterback, Cincinnati

Daxton Hill, Free Safety/Cornerback, Michigan

John Metchie, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Darian Kinnard, Offensive Guard/Tackle, Kentucky

Kenneth Walker, Running Back, Michigan State

Round Three

Washington rebuilds the linebacker corps

Chad Muma, Linebacker, Wyoming – 6-3, 240

If you’re looking for a linebacker that can be an impact player and something of a sleeper in this draft, look no further than Chad Muma.  He is an excellent tackler and can stuff running backs, tight ends, and slot receivers coming over the middle.  Very good coverage skills.  After the initial learning curve, Muma could become a regular starter on the inside by mid-season.

Other Possible Selections

Damone Clark, Linebacker, LSU

Justyn Ross, Wide Receiver, Clemson

Brian Asamoah, Linebacker, Oklahoma

Ed Ingram, Offensive Guard, LSU

Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Michigan

Round Four

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

Adding depth and a possible starter on the offensive line from a perennial national championship contender is never a bad idea.  This Buckeye has the size and athleticism to compete at the next level, but is a bit raw.  He should be a starter by year two.

Other Possible Selections

Tyler Allgeier, Running Back, BYU

Jalen Pitre, Free Safety/Strong Safety, Baylor

Sterling Weatherford, Strong Safety/Linebacker/ST, Miami, OH

John Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle, Arkansas

Chris Paul, Offensive Guard, Tulsa

Round Six

Matt Araiza, Punter, San Diego State

Here is another surprise, but it is entirely possible.  Tress Way has been one of the best punters in the NFL for many seasons and his time in Washington has been an incredible success.  However, he did struggle a bit in 2021 and Matt Araiza is arguably the best punting prospect since Ray Guy.  In fact, Araiza could become the greatest punter of all time.

Other Possible Selections

Sincere McCormick, Running Back, Texas-San Antonio

Ben Brown, Offensive Guard, Mississippi

Reed Blankenship, Buffalo Nickel/Free Safety, Middle Tennessee

Myron Cunningham, Offensive Tackle, Arkansas

Ellis Brooks, Linebacker, Penn State

Round Seven

Isaiah Pola-Mao, Free Safety, Southern California – 6-4, 205

Isaiah Pola-Mao is a talented free safety, but would likely need at least two years of learning before he could be inserted into any defensive scheme.  His initial impact should be as a special teams player.  Pola-Mao needs to add about fifteen pounds of bulk and muscle to his frame.  Tackling techniques require some work.  Decent coverage back, but simply can’t play closer to the box or cover bigger tight ends at this juncture.

Other Possible Selections

Micah McFadden, Linebacker, Indiana

Allie Green, Cornerback, Missouri

Bailey Zappe, Quarterback, Western Kentucky

Joshua Williams, Cornerback, Fayetteville State

MarQuan McCall, Defensive Tackle, Kentucky

When free agency begins on March 16, the Washington Football Team will have the opportunity to address several needs and fill a few gaps on the roster.  Also, some players currently on the roster will not be re-signed or retained.  Given that we are talking about a potential trade in this draft, here is what could happen in free agency.

First, it’s not out of the question that Washington will sign Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota to serve as a starter/bridge player if they select a signal-caller in this draft.  Secondly, yours truly also thinks the Burgundy and Gold will sign an inside linebacker and, possibly, a wide receiver.

Mock drafts in late January look much different at the beginning of free agency and in the early spring.  There will be many opportunities to refine the mocks in the next six to ten weeks.