The Redskins played their Super Bowl in Week 16 by knocking out a desperate Philadelphia Eagles team. If the Redskins had lost that game, they would be looking at the # 3 overall pick. With yesterday's loss to the Cowboys, and a much needed win by the New York Jets, the Redskins have settled in at the #5 overall pick. This will mark the first time since the 2011 NFL Draft that the Redskins have a first round pick, and no one knows who they will be picking. The great trade of 2012 brought the team Robert Griffin III, but also a debt that was paid out over the next two years. The Redskins enter the offseason with a ton of needs on both sides of the ball, and everyone's got an opinion on how to fill them.
Here is a look at a few of the way too early mock drafts that are out there right now:
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
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.
Stanley has generated a ton of late-season buzz, and he put an exclamation point on it by getting the better of the top 2015 NFL Draft-eligible defensive lineman in USC's Leonard Williams in limited plays against each other. It was only for a few reps, but impressive none the less that Stanley was able to handle one of the best defensive lineman in college football.
Stanley (6-5, 315) took over at left tackle with Zack Martin in the NFL and did a great job for the Irish. Stanley is strong and quick. He has good length to him and finishes his blocks extremely well. Stanley has the speed and agility to mirror speed rushers and is strong to get movement in the ground game.
In 2013, Stanley started at right tackle and was part of a line that allowed only eight sacks on the season. He has some real strength and athleticism.
Pick change; previously Andrus Peat, OT
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.
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.
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
The Redskins are a mess right now and could go in several directions with this pick, but with Brian Orakpo set to hit free agency, a pass rusher could be high on the wish list. Gregory's functional strength is a question mark, but his hand use, burst and easy change of direction skills are enticing.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Too high? Maybe. There are several offensive linemen with Round 1 potential in this class, though the jury is still out on how high any of them can climb. The mauling Scherff not only is the safest, most NFL-ready bet, he projects well at either right tackle or guard and might even be able to stay at left tackle in a pinch.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa, Sr.
The Redskins should take a play out of the Cowboys playbook by adding a multi-dimensional lineman to bolster protection of whomever ends up at QB next season. The Outland Trophy winner is also the most dominating run blocker in college football, and possesses the nasty attitude that can help transform an offensive line.
Top needs:DB, DL, OL
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The top four picks (depending on how the info on Winston pans out) seem to separate themselves from the pack. This is where things get interesting. Collins has shined at multiple safety spots, including in single high looks. He is aggressive, assertive and reads his keys to attack early.Hopefully we will have an All-22 piece on Collins, but here is the first from Cian Fahey.
Leonard Williams, DE/DT, Southern California
The Redskins have much greater needs than a defensive lineman: an outside linebacker if they stick with the 3-4, a safety and an offensive lineman come to mind. But Williams, arguably the draft's best and safest player, is far too good to pass up with the fifth pick.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
When it comes to prospects, the draft community falls in and out of love more of then Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee. By May, a likely consensus on the top offensive tackle should exist. Right now my spidey sense suggests Scherff is a place holder for that spot, though also a contender. For some, the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder is also a contender for guard which would drop his stock into the middlle of round one. Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley joined the top tackle discussion after rocking his redshirt-sophomore season. Stanford's Andrus Peat, LSU's La'el Collins and Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi have their suporters. Another 2-3 could land in round one. The Redskins would be wise to land one unless they tackle this need during fre agency. If no clear choice emerges, but they keep the pick, pass rushers Randy Gregory (Nebraska), Shane Ray (Missouri) and Vic Beasley (Clemson) would replace Brian Orakpo (while confusing the Trent Murphy selction).
Current 2015 NFL Draft Order via Bucs Nation
Pick | Team | Record | Strength of Schedule | |
1 | TB | 2 - 14 | 122 - 129 - 3 | 0.4862 |
2 | TEN | 2 - 14 | 128 - 125 - 1 | 0.5059 |
3 | JAX | 3 - 13 | 130 - 123 - 1 | 0.5138 |
4 | OAK | 3 - 13 | 146 - 110 | 0.5703 |
5 | WAS | 4 - 12 | 127 - 129 | 0.4961 |
6 | NYJ | 4 - 12 | 138 - 117 | 0.5412 |
7 | CHI | 5 - 11 | 135 - 120 - 1 | 0.5293 |
8 | ATL | 6 - 10 | 121 - 130 - 3 | 0.4823 |
9 | NYG | 6 - 10 | 131 - 125 | 0.5117 |
10 | STL | 6 - 10 | 136 - 120 | 0.5312 |
11 | MIN | 7 - 9 | 121 - 134 - 1 | 0.4746 |
12 | CLE | 7 - 9 | 119 - 130 - 3 | 0.4782 |
13 | NO | 7 - 9 | 122 - 129 - 3 | 0.4862 |
14 | MIA | 8 - 8 | 131 - 125 | 0.5117 |
15 | SF | 8 - 8 | 135 - 121 | 0.5273 |
16 | HOU | 9 - 7 | 113 - 140 - 1 | 0.4469 |
17 | KC | 9 - 7 | 130 - 125 | 0.5098 |
18 | SD | 9 - 7 | 131 - 125 | 0.5117 |
19 | CLE via BUF | 9 - 7 | 132 - 124 | 0.5156 |
20 | PHI | 10 - 6 | 125 - 130 - 1 | 0.4902 |
21 | BAL | 10 - 6 | 118 - 131 - 3 | 0.4742 |
22 | DET | 11 - 5 | 120 - 135 - 1 | 0.4707 |
23 | PIT | 10 - 5 | 114 - 137 - 3 | 0.4547 |
24 | ARI | 11 - 5 | 134 - 122 | 0.5234 |
25 | CAR | 7 - 8 - 1 | 124 - 129 - 1 | 0.4902 |
26 | IND | 11 - 5 | 121 - 132 - 1 | 0.4783 |
27 | CIN | 10 - 4 - 1 | 125 - 128 - 1 | 0.4941 |
28 | DAL | 12 - 4 | 114 - 142 | 0.4453 |
29 | GB | 12 - 4 | 123 - 132 - 1 | 0.4824 |
30 | DEN | 12 - 4 | 133 - 121 - 1 | 0.5235 |
31 | NE | 12 - 4 | 131 - 123 - 1 | 0.5157 |
32 | SEA | 12 - 4 | 134 - 121 - 1 | 0.5254 |