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Another week and the Redskins still don't have a new defensive coordinator, but they did make it official with new GM Scot McCloughan. A new GM means a new draft philosophy, and one that is more in line with winning franchises. McCloughan believes in drafting the best players available and building the team with talent while loading it up with depth. He doesn't believe in relying on older, injury-prone, overpaid free agents. The Redskins have a lot of very real needs and the #5 overall pick in this year's draft.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has USC DE Leonard Williams as his #1 overall player in this year's draft, but somehow has him falling to #5 to the Redskins. Washington fans and coaches would love to see this happen, but he would likely need a bad few months before the draft for that to happen. We see the same theme this week with pass rushers and offensive linemen being mocked to the Redskins. The only exception is a lone projection(and admitted reach) of Landon Collins(Bucky Brooks mock has since been added). This week we are QB and Jameis Winston free!
Weekly Mock Draft Roundup:
Leonard Williams, DE, USC
The Redskins need help in several areas, and Williams would be a steal at this spot. He can dominate versus the run and pass.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Put Scherff opposite Trent Williams and Washington has the bookends to really turn around an offensive line that has struggled. Going offensive line here assumes they add a pass rusher at some point.
Brandon Scherff, OT/G, Iowa
When the Dallas Cowboys selected Notre Dame left tackle Zack Martin with their first-round pick in last year's draft, offensive line coach Bill Callahan moved him to right guard and made him the missing piece of a unit that emerged as the league's best in 2014.
Now the offensive line coach of the Washington Redskins, Callahan is not going to have nearly as much talent at his disposal this year. The Redskins could start to remedy that, however, by drafting another collegiate offensive tackle with the potential to switch positions in Iowa's Brandon Scherff.
The best all-around offensive-line prospect in the 2015 draft class, Scherff is a technically sound blocker who is explosive off the snap and can drive defenders downfield with his power.
Like Martin, Scherff does not have the length that NFL teams desire in a left tackle, but his game is well-suited for a transition to guard or right tackle-both positions where Washington should be in the market for upgrades.
If Washington is ready to move on from Robert Griffin III, another possibility with this pick could be Jameis Winston. Trading down to acquire more assets would also be a smart move. But the best pick, especially considering Callahan's track record of developing offensive linemen, might be Scherff.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top-10 talent, but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Washington Redskins offensive line is terrible. They need major help at guard and right tackle. Brandon Sherff can play both. Sherff is bound to be a star tackle or guard but needs to work on his feet. Other Potential Picks: Marcus Mariota, Landon Collins, Shane Ray, Amari Cooper
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Love his aggressiveness and strength at the point of attack. For a big man, he moves easily and his athleticism should help in his development in pass protection. Can struggle against a solid speed rush, but that should be minimized as his technique improves.
Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Redskins could use offensive line help and safety. The Redskins would get a better value with the top offensive lineman.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pounder has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness and athleticism. Flowers doesn't get a lot of publicity, but don't be surprised if he becomes a hot prospect. Flowers played extremely well in 2014. After missing a few games because of a torn meniscus, he came back in impressive fashion against Florida State. Flowers also had an impressive game against Nebraska taking on Randy Gregory. For the year, Flowers was a very consistent run-blocker for Duke Johnson and pass-protector. Flowers is shockingly fast and agile for such a big and strong blocker who can bully defensive linemen.
In 2013 as a sophomore, Flowers took the left tackle job from Seantrel Henderson. In his true freshman season, Flowers was a backup who started four games.
Pick change; previously Ronnie Stanley, OT
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Alternate #1: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson; Alternate #2: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Randy Gregory, Edge Rusher, Nebraska
Brian Orakpo was a good pick for the Redskins originally being selected with the 13th pick in the first round, but he has struggled with some injuries and his time looks like it might be coming to an end in Washington. Gregory has a ton of potential and should fit the Redskins defensive system regardless of who ends up being the new defensive coordinator.
Dante Fowler Jr., DE/LB Florida
It is a little bit of a surprise just to see the Washington Redskins making a pick in the first round. After all, Washington hasn't drafting in the first round since the debacle of 2012 that got them quarterback Robert Griffin III. But we shall not speak of it.
However, this means the Redskins front office have to make a smart pick here, and for as tempting as Mariota might be, they must look elsewhere. Going over the Washington roster, adding a disruptive player on defense is the top priority. Washington runs a 3-4 base defense, but other than Ryan Kerrigan, this group hasn't really performed up to task.
Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. is a great pick here because he is a great hybrid edge player with the added bonus of great size. During his time at Florida, Fowler moved all over the field, which is a good thing and a bad thing. While he's not really settled into a spot, he does show potential to be great at several. Fowler's size allows him to line up in-line and set the edge against the run, but with his arm length and explosion Fowler has the potential to be a great pass-rushing specialist opposite Kerrigan.
Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
With Brian Orakpo set to hit free agency, pass rusher will be high on the Redskins' wish list. Fowler projects best to the NFL as a stand-up edge rusher, using his relentless energy to be effective disrupting the pocket
Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Redskins are not filling a primary need at all. Brian Orakpo is heading for free agency, but they still have Ryan Kerrigan and 2014 second-rounder Trent Murphy. However, Shane Ray is the best player on the board, so I don't think Washington will be able to pass on him, given how this has played out with Ronnie Stanley headed back to school. Besides, the Redskins can rotate three talented pass-rushers, and Ray will give them depth at a key position.
Pick change; previously Ronnie Stanley, OT
Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
Perfect world, the Redskins fortify the offensive line. Obviously, that could take place in free agency, but tackles go for a pretty penny in that scenario. This draft appears loaded with prospects, but at this point none the draft community loves in this range. Trade down certainly could work. As for Alabama's Landon Collins, safeties simply don't go this high. That leaves pass rushers and there are a few good ones. Ray recorded 14.5 sacks this season at Missouri. Not sure what the Missouri star's addition means for Trent Murphy in the starting lineup, but it should mean applying more pressure on the Tony Romo's of the world.
Landon Collins S, Alabama
Collins is a ball hawk with the instincts and awareness to shut down the middle of the field.
Landon Collins S, Alabama
I try my best not to make 'need' the basis for our mock draft selections, but in this particular case I don't see any other way around it. Washington has the talent in place on offense, it's just a matter of coaching it up. When you look at the defense there isn't a down lineman they can take this high, and though I've seen some mock drafts giving them a pass rusher, I think Kerrigan, Orakpo and Trent Murphy is good enough for now. There isn't a cornerback they can take in the top five, which leaves only the safety position which has been one of the worst units in the league for some years now. Landon Collins is probably more of a 10-15 prospect, so ideally they would trade down and get him, but he's only a slight reach here.