Using On the Clock: Premium I came up with the following Mock Draft (as always the free version is available as well) . My goal in this mock was to stockpile picks and I did so ending up with 11 total selections including 5 4th rounders. I will list my picks and my thoughts for making them. In the comments let me know what you think below in the comments as well as feel free to share your favorite mock drafts.
Here is the link to the mock draft if you want to follow along: http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/sharedraft.php?d=qvnmkj
53
DE STEPHON TUITT
NOTRE DAME
-The Redskins added Jason Hatcher to the defensive line, but otherwise this is the same group of guys that have been average at best these past two years. The Redskins needed more than one addition to this unit to begin with, and with Hatcher in the mix, age becomes a factor as well. The Redskins defensive line is one of the oldest in the league so an influx of youth and upside is very much needed. Tuitt has the ability to be an impact player, and is a perfect fit for the Redskins 3-4 defense. He was up-and-down this past season, but the raw talent and ability is there. As a rookie he likely wouldn't start, but he could be a very valuable rotational pass rusher along the DL. With much of the focus geared to Hatcher, and OLB's Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, a guy like Tuitt could have a field day on passing downs.
77
C WESTON RICHBURG
COLORADO STATE
-The Redskins need offensive line help, and one of the easiest ways they can bolster this unit is if they draft one of the top 3 centers in this draft. All three are capable of starting early on (potentially day one as rookies) and all three offer nice upside. Richburg probably has the best upside of the three and would be an excellent selection for the Redskins in the middle of the 3rd round here.
102
CB PIERRE DESIR
LINDENWOOD
-Corner isn't the most pressing of the Redskins needs, but it is definitely still on their list of needs. There are question marks surrounding all of the Redskins current corners, including their top 3. Even if none of the potential issues with the Redskins corners become a problem, grabbing a high upside corner like Desir makes sense from a future outlook. Tracey Porter is only under contract for two seasons and they could look to cut him after this year. Hall could be asked to transition to safety or a hybrid corner/safety role, if the Redskins can't fix their FS position long term. Desir is a small-school corner with great size and potential. He probably wouldn't be asked to do much as a rookie, but by year 2 or 3 he could be pushing for a significant role.
113
RB CHARLES SIMS
WVU
-The Redskins need depth at the running back position, particularly with Roy Helu Jr. heading into his final year under team control. Sims would be a great replacement for Helu Jr. and would be a very similar skill set with good speed and pass catching ability. He'd be a nice complement to Alfred Morris going forward.
121
DE JAMES GAYLE
VIRGINIA TECH
-Though listed as a DE here, Gayle would be transitioned to more of a rush linebacker role with the Redskins. Gayle is a natural rusher and would give the Redskins some additional depth for the position. While the drafting of Gayle doesn't change the Redskins outlook with their need to lock-up Orakpo, it does ensure better depth and a better option for a situational role.
127
DT JUSTIN ELLIS
LOUISIANA TECH
-Ellis would be another piece in the Redskins effort to get younger along the defensive front. He could back up Barry Cofield for the nose tackle role and would really help on running downs controlling the middle of the line of scrimmage. The defensive line is a rotational position and has a higher than normal injury rate so depth is a must here. Ellis might not have a chance to start anytime soon, but he can offer good depth and situational ability.
129
WR BRANDON COLEMAN
RUTGERS
-The Redskins top 3 wide receiver positions are set, but after that it gets a bit murky. If Leonard Hankerson is healthy, then he is the 4th receiver and a very capable one at that. Unfortunately he's not a lock to be healthy this season and he's entering the final year under his rookie deal. Coleman is a raw talent, but a guy with really good physical ability who could develop in a couple of years. Grabbing him this late makes some sense for the Redskins. Given his size he could develop into a red zone package receiver during the next year or two when he doesn't have any shot for a top 3 WR role.
142
G BRANDON THOMAS
CLEMSON
-Thomas is a guard/tackle prospect who would have been a top 75 pick if he didn't tear his ACL during a pre-draft workout. He's got the ability to play either RT or either guard spot (could even play LT if you need him to), and is a really good guy to take a shot on. He won't offer any value this year, but he's got a chance to compete for a starting role in 2015, making him a great value pick here.
152
TE CROCKETT GILMORE
COLORADO STATE
-The Redskins need tight end depth and Gilmore is a nice later round target to watch. Gilmore is known as more of a blocker and inline guy, but he's got decent hands and route-running ability as well. He'll never be a top tier pass catching tight end, but he can be a decent option in the passing game.
217
CB DONTAE JOHNSON
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
-Johnson is listed as a corner, but he played both corner and safety in college. Here the Redskins would be targeting him more of a safety and developmental option. Johnson's got really nice size and athleticism, and at the very least should be a decent versatile back-up and special teams player.
236
P KIRBY VAN DER KAMP
IOWA STATE
-One of the biggest benefits with adding all these extra picks is the Redskins could take a shot at a punter to compete for that job this year. Currently the Redskins have a couple punters on the roster, but none are great bets to win the starting role, so adding competition from one of the best punters in college makes some sense. One downside with Van Der Kamp is he doesn't have experience as a kick-off guy, though he could probably learn.
What do you think of this Mock Draft?