This week using On the Clock Premium, I decided to take a look at a pair of possible Redskins mock drafts using trades to stockpile more picks. I kept it pretty simple getting the Redskins to 10 draft picks which is the target number that Scot McCloughan wanted last year and probably a good chance he's looking for that number this year as well.
Mock Draft 1- Using Matt Miller's Big Board
Trade- Redskins 1st rounder for the Seahawks 1st, 3rd and 4th round picks
Draft Summary page to follow along
26: R1P26
DT SHELDON RANKINS
LOUISVILLE
Notes: Being able to trade back and still land a quality player like Rankins should be a very real possibility for McCloughan on draft night, particularly along the DL. It's such a deep position that it's likely guys will fall and be available at the end of the first round. This is the home run scenario for the Redskins.
53: R2P22
S DARIAN THOMPSON
BOISE STATE
Notes: Thompson is generally considered the top FS available in this draft so landing him in the later part of the 2nd round makes him an easy selection for the Redskins. He's not as complete a player as some other top safeties from recent drafts, but he can win the starting job as a rookie and be the long term answer here.
84: R3P21
ILB KENTRELL BROTHERS
MISSOURI
Notes: I wasn't expecting to go ILB here this early, but this is the benefit of getting these extra picks. Brothers isn't the tallest backer, or the most athletic (though very interested to see how he tests at the combine), but he might have the best instincts and technique in the class. With the Redskins ILB situation possibly wide open if Perry Riley is cut, Brothers could push for a starting job as a rookie.
90: R3P27
C NICK MARTIN
NOTRE DAME
Notes: Almost pulled the trigger on him with the previous selection, but decided to wait and lucked out that he was still on the board. Martin is probably my favorite center in the class, so landing him here is a steal for me. I think he is another player who has a chance to start as a rookie and at worst is a starter by year 2.
121: R4P22
CB CYRUS JONES
ALABAMA
Notes: Jones can play inside or outside (though he's shorter than you'd like for the latter role), as well as being a top return man. He's not afraid to get physical, and he's got good speed and quickness. He will likely primarily play nickel at the next level, but he can probably hold his own on the outside if needed.
125: R4P26
WR CHARONE PEAKE
CLEMSON
Notes: Should have one of the best size/speed combinations in the draft, but will likely slide into the early 3rd day given his previous injuries and older age. For the Redskins that shouldn't be as of a pressing concern since they won't need Peake to be an instant starter or anything like that. If Peake checks out medically, the upside is there for him to be a weapon like his fellow Clemson receivers to enter the NFL in recent years.
158: R5P19
OT KYLE MURPHY
STANFORD
Notes: Murphy offers the Redskins nice versatility here as he's got experience at both right and left tackle. He would be a good swing tackle option and give the Redskins further OL depth.
190: R6P12
DT JAVON HARGRAVE
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Notes: Smaller school guy, but he's a good fit as a rotational NT option. He has nice size, burst and power, but doesn't figure to be an every down starter early in his career. He can help the Redskins with a good 15-20 snaps a game of solid production even as a rookie.
230: R7P11
RB AARON GREEN
TCU
Notes: This is later than I'd like to address the RB position, but still feel like I found nice value in Green here. He'd be a nice complementary back to Matt Jones, and could carve out a 3rd down role in the future.
240: R7P21
WR BYRON MARSHALL
OREGON
Notes: Marshall has RB, WR and return experience, and could be a nice value pick at the end of the draft. He's very unrefined as a route runner, but his speed and quickness can create match-up problems so with some development he could be a weapon down the line.
Mock 2- CBS Big Board
Trades: Redskins 1st for Chiefs 1st, 3rd and 4th, Chiefs 1st for Broncos 1st and 3rd, Redskins 3rd and 5th for Bills 3rd
Draft summary page to follow along
31: R1P31
OLB JAYLON SMITH
NOTRE DAME
Notes: Is this a risky pick? Yes Smith is coming off a serious injury and there is no way you can feel 100% confident in his health before the draft. You make this pick though because Smith was a top 5 or top 10 pick at the worst before the injury, and you are landing him here at 31 after trading back twice and stockpiling picks. How much Smith can help you next year is definitely up for debate, but he has the potential to be a star player going forward.
53: R2P22
DT AUSTIN JOHNSON
PENN STATE
Notes: Johnson gives the Redskins a good DL option here and a guy who can do the dirty work for this unit. He's not the flashiest player, but he's got great instincts and he should help to really shore up the run defense.
80: R3P17
WR TYLER BOYD
PITTSBURGH
Notes: I made the slight trade up here to land Boyd who to me is a top 50 prospect. If he slides in this draft (as some do predict) he's a fantastic option in the 3rd round. He's got nice size and is already such a fluid route runner. He really has the potential to develop into a number 1 down the road.
91: R3P28
RB KENNETH DIXON
LOUISIANA TECH
Notes: This draft I decided to address RB a bit earlier and got one of the better ones in the draft in Dixon. Dixon not only complements Matt Jones, but if the fumbling issues to resolve themselves, he could take over the lead back role for this team.
95: R3P32
CB HARLAN MILLER
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
Notes: Miller is an intriguing young corner who can develop into a good starting option. He held his own vs better talent at the Senior Bowl, but he probably needs a year of seasoning before facing off vs the NFL's best. He can be a solid back-up/special teamer in year one and develop going forward.
121: R4P22
C EVAN BOEHM
MISSOURI
Notes: this might be a reach pick to some, but I feel that after the top 3 centers the best option for the Redskins might be Boehm. He's a bit bigger and more physical than some of the other centers that were still on the board and could fit the Redskins system better. He's not likely to challenge for the starting role in year one, but the potential to start is there.
127: R4P28
WR DE'RUNNYA WILSON
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Notes: The benefits of the extra picks allows the Redskins to grab guys who might slide a little, even if it's not a pressing need or the position has been addressed. Wilson has excellent size, but he's a lot more raw than a guy like Boyd. What he can offer is some use in the red zone early on and maybe develop into more down the road.
190: R6P12
TE HENRY KRIEGER COBLE
IOWA
Notes: Krieger-Coble gives the Redskins a good inline TE option to replace Logan Paulsen, and he's got some receiving potential as well.
230: R7P11
FB DEREK WATT
WISCONSIN
Notes: If Darrel Young isn't brought back, the Redskins still need to find a cheap fullback. Grabbing J.J. Watt's younger bother isn't the worst option. He's not the athletic freak of his older brother, but Derek is still a solid NFL prospect, who can contribute as a FB and on ST.
240: R7P21
DT ANTWAUN WOODS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
-Woods is a nice late round NT prospect, if the position isn't addressed by now he makes a lot of sense for the Redskins.