The Redskins lost their 6th straight game yesterday, and the only good thing to come from it was the effect it has on their draft position. Last week the Redskins held the 6th overall pick in the 2015 Draft, and they moved up 1 spot to 5th overall after their loss and the New York Jets win yesterday. And because #SoRedskins, there are actually 4 teams who currently have a worse record than Washington right now. That gives them a top 5 pick again, with only a 0.9% chance to get the #1 pick this year. If the Redskins lose their final two games to the Eagles and Cowboys they could have a chance for a top 3 pick due to strength of schedule, and two teams in the top 5 playing each other in the last two weeks.
I posted this during last week's draft order update, and I'll post it again this week because nothing has changed except for our draft position.
5. Washington Redskins
2014 record: 3-10 (.485)
Top three needs: Pass rusher, DB, OT
Analysis: The Redskins have a lot of issues on defense, starting with a pass rusher and ending with a safety -- positions that were never addressed adequately last offseason. Jason Hatcher hasn't worked out and Brian Orakpo can't stay healthy. Their offensive skill positions are set, but can Robert Griffin III stay healthy? If not, add quarterback to the list.
Top-rated seniors at positional needs: Pass rusher: Vic Beasley (Clemson), Alvin Dupree (Kentucky), Owamagbe Odighizuwa (UCLA); CB: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon), Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest), Byron Jones (UConn); S: Derron Smith (Fresno State), Kurtis Drummond (Michigan State), Durell Eskridge (Michigan State); OT: Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M), La'el Collins (LSU)
Chances of landing No. 1 pick, per http://t.co/wuj1IeE7kb: Jags: 31.6% Titans: 31.4% Bucs: 25.7% Raiders: 10.4% Redskins: 0.9% Jets: .02%
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2014
And a quick roundup of who the way too early mocks have the Redskins taking:
Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Redskins could use offensive line help and safety. I'm not convinced Bruce Allen would draft a safety this high though. His track record is corners in the first round and safeties later on. Plus, the Redskins are getting good value with the top offensive lineman.
Over the past two seasons, Peat has been rock solid at protecting quarterback Kevin Hogan. Peat also had success in the ground game. He is strong enough to be a downhill run-blocker and also is agile enough to block in a zone scheme. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder has excellent size and athleticism with upside for the NFL.
Peat had a good game against USC this year. He did well in his plays against Leonard Williams and was generally rock solid minus a couple of snaps. Peat had a similar outing against Washington with generally a quality outing aside from a few plays. The Cardinal moved David Yankey inside to guard for 2013 because the coaches believed they had a star left tackle in Peat. Judging by Stanford's 2013 season, their belief looks like the correct one.
Pick change; previously Landon Collins, S
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Redskins are passing on Shane Ray for a slightly inferior prospect, but they're set at outside linebacker. Also, they haven't been able to protect very well. It's highly disconcerting that third-round rookie Morgan Moses hasn't been able to find his way into the starting lineup despite the team's issues at right tackle. Moses finally started at San Francisco, and he was abysmal.
Same position, different player. There's talk that Andrus Peat will return to school, whereas Ronnie Stanley, who has been incredible this year, asked the draft advisory committee for his projected grade.
Pick change; previously Andrus Peat, OT
Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The quarterback situation is a mess in Washington, but the Redskins need to build a solid foundation around whoever is taking snaps from under center. Peat has had his inconsistencies as a college player, but he's still highly thought of due to his natural traits and upside.Previous Pick: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Trent Williams is good, but the right side of their offensive line is a mess. Scherff should be able to step in and lock down right tackle, and help whoever is under center next year stay upright and open holes for that running game.
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The rationale for selecting a safety over a much-needed offensive tackle is as follows: 1) More tackles project into the 40 selections than safeties, meaning the Redskins have a better shot at adding one of each if they make the picks in this order. 2) Collins is a major talent and sincere playmaker. 3) Wow, do the Redskins need help at safety. Adam Archuleta at his current age would be an improvement. Iowa's Brandon Scherff and Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi loom as OT options.
Current 2015 NFL Draft Order
Pick |
Team |
Record |
Strength of Schedule |
1 |
TB |
2 - 12 |
.479 |
2 |
TEN |
2 - 12 |
.491 |
3 |
JAX |
2 - 12 |
.509 |
4 |
OAK |
2 - 12 |
.585 |
5 |
WAS |
3 - 11 |
.495 |
6 |
NYJ |
3 - 11 |
.550 |
7 |
ATL |
5 - 9 |
.480 |
8 |
NYG |
5 - 9 |
.511 |
9 |
NO |
5 - 8 |
.482 |
10 |
CHI |
5 - 8 |
.518 |
11 |
MIN |
6 - 8 |
.480 |
12 |
STL |
6 - 8 |
.536 |
13 |
HOU |
7 - 7 |
.441 |
14 |
CLE |
7 - 7 |
.461 |
15 |
MIA |
7 - 7 |
.516 |
16 |
SF |
7 - 7 |
.541 |
17 |
KC |
8 - 6 |
.516 |
18 |
SD |
8 - 6 |
.518 |
19 |
CLE via BUF |
8 - 6 |
.520 |
20 |
CAR |
5-8-1 |
.495 |
21 |
PIT |
9-5 |
.453 |
22 |
BAL |
9 - 5 |
.466 |
23 |
PHI |
9-5 |
.471 |
24 |
CIN |
9-4-1 |
.493 |
25 |
DAL |
10-4 |
.450 |
26 |
IND |
10-4 |
.468 |
27 |
GB |
10-4 |
.491 |
28 |
SEA |
10 - 4 |
.534 |
29 |
DET |
10 - 4 |
.475 |
30 |
NE |
11 - 3 |
.518 |
31 |
DEN |
11 - 3 |
.525 |
32 |
ARI |
11 - 3 |
.529 |