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Mocking Across The Web

Weekly(ish) look at what semi-literate pundits around the web are projecting for the Redskins 2014 Draft.

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

It's a new draft season, and everyone has an idea of what player(s) will be available to help the Redskins return to championship form...eventually. This is extremely early in the draft process with the Combine coming up February 19th followed by Free Agency on March 11. Everything will change over the next 3 months leading up to the NFL Draft May 8-10th.

This post will be a place to discuss all of the projections for pick #34 that I have rounded up, and also a place to post your own mock drafts to discuss. Fanspeak's Simulator is a great tool to allow you to build your own mock draft.

There is a clear favorite that shows up in this sampling of mock draft projections, Notre Dame DT, Stephon Tuitt. He is a popular name with (smart)people that feel the Redskins need to rebuild the trenches this year. One other DT, Ra'Shede Hageman, shows up on the list this week. The other positions being projected to the Redskins are CB, WR, ILB, and OLB. I'm a little surprised that there were not more wide receivers projected, but there is a definite trend from reading the write-ups that the Skins defense is widely recognized as a major problem that needs to be addressed early. Who would be your selection from this group, and who is your alternative if your choice is not here?

Website

Draft Pick

Date

CBS Sports Projection

Overall

Position

Drafttek

Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame

02/05/2014

42

5

Reasoning: "The Redskins received very little push from their front three this season. If Washington plans on improving in pass coverage, that effort needs to start up front. Stephen Bowen just had his third 'minor' knee procedure in as many years and did not play up to his contract this season, so I fully expect the Redskins to replace him (and perhaps Jenkins on the other side too) this offseason. Tuitt is the new 3-4 DE prototype. He's HUGE (6'6") and will be able to bat balls away as Calais Campbell and JJ Watt do at the position. This is the way the league is headed up front and the Redskins would consider themselves blessed to land someone who was once considered a top-ten pick at this spot."

Height: 6' 6" Weight 312lbs

Alternative Picks: Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU ; Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee

Walter Football (Walter)

Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame

02/05/2014

42

5

CBS Sports Analysis:

STRENGTHS: Tantalizing upside. Highly athletic frame despite massive size. Impressive combination of length, power and surprising quickness. Scheme versatility for the 3-4 and 4-3, possessing the size of most interior linemen while maintaining the quickness to provide a rush off the edge.

WEAKNESSES: Arrived to 2013 fall came out of shape following hernia surgery and struggled to dominate as he had as a sophomore. Lack of consistency was a concern as a junior.

Walter Football (Charlie)

Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

02/03/2015

59

7

Reasoning: "The Redskins need a long-term corner to go with David Amerson. I wouldn't be surprised if Washington signed Aqib Talib in free agency and brought in a nickel.

Fuller has some upside. The 6-foot, 181-pounder doesn't have elite speed, but he has quickness to go along with his size. Virginia Tech is typically a factory for defensive backs, so Fuller enters the NFL with plus preparation after getting playing time for four years. He has some man-coverage skills and experience playing on an island.

The 2013 season opener against Alabama gave Fuller the opportunity to be extremely impressive. He was excellent versus the Crimson Tide and did a superb job of smothering Amari Cooper in man coverage. Fuller had four tackles, an interception, at least one pass batted away, some good hits and solid play on special teams. He also played well against Georgia Tech with some fantastic run defense. Fuller had a pick and other nice plays against North Carolina, but was beaten on a double-move for a touchdown. The senior recorded 24 tackles, 10 passes batted and two interceptions in 2013.

As a junior, Fuller totaled two interceptions, five passes broken up, one forced fumble and 52 tackles. He made six starts as a freshman in 2010, recording 32 tackles and six passes broken up. Fuller improved his play in 2011 and started every game. He totaled 65 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes broken up, along with being a Second-Team All-ACC selection."

Height: 6' Weight: 194lbs

Previous Pick: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida

MockingTheDraft (Kadar)

Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

02/03/2014

45

5

Reasoning: "Although the Redskins' first pick last year was used on a cornerback, DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson are both free agents, and just really aren't that good. Roby didn't have the season at Ohio State some expected, but he's still a highly talented cornerback with the tools to be a star."

Height: 5' 11" Weight: 192lbs

MockingTheDraft (Fairburn)

Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame

01/27/2014

42

5

Reasoning: "Many expect the Redskins to draft a wide receiver with this pick, but with a first-round-caliber defensive lineman still on the board, Washington will have to strongly consider addressing the front seven. Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions in the 2014 draft, so Stephon Tuitt is the pick here."

Bleacher Report (Hope)

Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU

01/26/2014

27

5

CBS Sports Analysis:

"STRENGTHS: Smooth athlete with very good acceleration to get up to top speed quickly. Terrific shake and burst out of his cuts to beat press and do something after the catch - dangerous with the ball. Excellent vision with dynamic moves. Good footwork, timing and depth in his routes to create separation and catch the ball well in stride.

Much improved hands, doing a nice job elevating and extending to snare the ball from the air - large catching radius and tracks well. Ball appears to slow down for him at the catch point, making fluid adjustments with natural body control.

Speedy and explosive return man on special teams with vision, awareness and toughness to create - two career punt returns for scores. Consistent production all three seasons at LSU with career-highs in 2013.

WEAKNESSES: Only average height and overall body strength - room to get stronger. Lacks elite speed and can be caught from behind by NFL DBs. Timid at times over the middle.

Has improved leaps and bounds catching the ball with his hands, but he will still have the occasional drop off his mitts. Missed blocking assignment and needs technique work in this area.

Room to improve his judgment and consistency fielding punts. Only 12 career receiving scores in 34 career starts.

COMPARES TO: Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars - Beckham and Shorts are both exciting players with the ball in their hands and have shown steady improvements catching the ball over the years.

Height: 5'11" Weight: 193lbs

Bleacher Report (Miller)

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minn

02/02/2014

26

4

CBS Sports Analysis:

STRENGTHS: Alternately lining up over the nose or as a three-technique, Hageman consistently pushes his counterparts deep into the backfield, demonstrating rare upfield burst for a man of his size, as well as impressive strength. A brute in the middle, combining excellent size and power to push blockers deep into the pocket.

WEAKNESSES: At times struggles to locate the football quickly, can appear a bit stiff changing directions and shows just average speed and determination in pursuit, despite being subbed often. Had two potential big tackles for losses negated by facemask penalties against Minnesota in 2013.

Height: 6'6" Weight: 318lbs

Draft Breakdown (Dove)

Carl Bradford, ILB/OLB, Arizona State

01/24/2014

67

7

CBS Sports Analysis:

"STRENGTHS: Sports a compact, powerful frame. Highly instinctive, physical and versatile defender who splits his time between defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker. Good initial quickness off the snap out of the three-point stance, showing enough speed to cross the face of the offensive tackle, as well as an effective club, rip and spin moves to break free.

Surprisingly effective when run at due to his quickness and use of leverage, bending to take out the knees of oncoming blockers and creating a pile. Adept at slipping blocks. Locates the football quickly and shows an explosive burst to close emphatically. Only occasionally asked to drop back into coverage but shows at least fair fluidity and speed when doing so.

Alert player with a history of making big plays. More than the sum of his parts. Good special teams performer who often served as the personal protector in the punting game.

WEAKNESSES: Will be viewed by some as a classic 'tweener. Plays in a highly aggressive scheme that may maximize his big play ability while minimizing his faults. Size, athleticism and instincts project him best to inside linebacker in the NFL - a position he only occasionally played for ASU.

Does not possess ideal physical traits to remain as an outside pass rusher in the NFL - where he has starred for the Sun Devils. Can be engulfed in the running game (whether playing linebacker or defensive end) and does not appear to possess ideal arm-length to break free from blocks once blockers latch on. Smooth accelerator off the edge but doesn't possess great speed.

Can play out of control, at times, dropping his head to deliver the knockout blow and occasionally whiffing on open-field tackles. Can allow his emotions to get the better of him. Was benched for the second half against Oregon State (Nov. 16) after a physical altercation with teammates on the sideline.

COMPARES TO: Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots - Like the Patriots' inside linebacker, Bradford is an instinctive, physical and tenacious defender who, unfortunately, has some size and athletic limitations.

Height: 6' 1" Weight: 241lbs

Draft Breakdown (Mochal)

Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech

01/27/2014

84

8

CBS Sports Analysis:

"STRENGTHS: Attaochu looks the part with an athletic build and long arms, using his range to make plays all over the field. He has good get-off quickness with the chase skills to track down the ball carrier from behind and finish. Attachou has an impressive blend of athleticism and strength to work off blocks and battle through the whistle. His transition to DE will be something to watch this fall.

WEAKNESSES: Attaochu is a fiery player with a violent temperament, but needs to keep his wits on the field and control his intensity. He doesn't always appear to have a plan and will bite hard on play fakes and get grabby in coverage.

Height: 6'3" Weight: 251lbs

NFL Draft Geek

Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame

02/05/2014

42

5

Reasoning: "Washington was a disaster in all phases last year. While RG3 and the offense got all the attention, the Skins defense was a complete train wreck. It starts up front for them as they were completely incapable of stopping the run. Tuitt is a top 10 talent who could be a huge steal in the second round."