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Redskins Still Have Plenty of Options on D-Line

The Redskins shocked some people by selecting WR Josh Doctson in the first round, but there are plenty of defensive linemen still available.

By Bryan Frantz
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Redskins traded down from No. 21 to No. 22, and many thought they'd move back further from there. When they didn't, it was anybody's guess who they'd take. With the selection of TCU receiver Josh Doctson, they addressed a need, but not one considered by the consensus to be one of the most pressing needs.

That's fine. What's even better is this: If the Redskins are still interested in picking up one of the dozen or so top defensive linemen in this draft, they could still get a chance with their second pick, without having to trade up.

The following defensive linemen were all considered possibilities to go in the first round (in no particular order):

  1. Joey Bosa
  2. DeForest Buckner
  3. A'Shawn Robinson
  4. Sheldon Rankins
  5. Jarran Reed
  6. Andrew Billings
  7. Chris Jones
  8. Kenny Clark
  9. Kevin Dodd
  10. Robert Nkemdiche
  11. Vernon Butler
  12. Shaq Lawson
  13. Jihad Ward

Of those, only Bosa, Buckner, Rankins, Lawson, Clark, Nkemdiche and Butler were selected in the first round. There are also plenty of other players who slipped — looking at you, Myles Jack and Reggie Ragland — and could be taken in the early parts of the second round, so unless there's a significant run of defensive linemen, there's a strong possibility the Redskins will still end up with one of the dozen at No. 53.

If they decide to address an area aside from defensive line, or if the significant d-line run does happen, that leaves myriad options for Washington at No. 53, such as safety Vonn Bell, guard Cody Whitehair, cornerback Mackensie Alexander, the aforementioned Jack and Ragland, or even Derrick Henry. Ragland and Jack are virtual locks to be gone by No. 53, and it would be a legitimate shock if either Reed or Robinson remained on the board that late, but anybody else is possible.

Either way, the Redskins should be in fine shape. But if they still want to address the defensive line with an early pick, as all indications suggest, they're still in a terrific position to do so. With just the slightest bit of luck, they could end up with a player like Dodd or Billings — both commonly projected to go in the late first round — in the mid-late second round.

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