Setting up the Redskins 2017 Draft

The NFL draft never quite goes how fans expect/want. That doesn't mean however, that we can't discuss the possible scenarios all off-season until we are blue in the face.

As the Redskins search for a defensive coordinator continues, so does the thought of finding good defenders to play for that soon-to-be-named coordinator.

In this exercise, I'll take a "mock look" at how the first part of the 2017 NFL Draft could play out, and try and give you some realistic targets for our Redskins at pick 17.

1)Browns: Myles Garrett  DE  Texas A&M

2)49ers: DeShone Kizer  QB  Notre Dame

3)Bears: Marshon Lattimore  CB  Ohio St.

4)Jaguars: Jonathan Allen  DE  Alabama

5)Titans: Jamal Adams  S  LSU

6)Jets: Teez Tabor  CB  Florida

7)Chargers: Cam Robinson  OT  Alabama

8)Panthers: Leonard Fournette  RB  LSU

9)Bengals: Derek Barnett  DE  Tennessee

10)Bills: Malik Hooker  S  Ohio St.

11)Saints: Reuben Foster  ILB  Alabama

12)Browns: Mitch Trubisky  QB  North Carolina

13)Cardinals: Mike Williams  WR  Clemson

14)Eagles: Dalvin Cook  RB  Florida St.

15)Colts: Ryan Ramczyk  OT  Wisconsin

16)Ravens: Tim Williams  OLB  Alabama

17)Redskins: As you know, the Redskins need a lot of help on defense. DT, S and LB are all in need of serious upgrades. In this scenario, I have the top defensive tackle, top two safeties and top middle linebacker off the board.

My Big Board stands as follows:

Raekwon McMillan  LB  Ohio St.

Malik McDowell  DT  Mich. St

Solomon Thomas  DT/DE  Stanford

Zach Cunningham LB  Vanderbilt

Caleb Brantley  DT  Florida

...With the 17th selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Redskins select:  Malik McDowell  DT  Mich. St.

Malik McDowell - McDowell, at 6'5" 280, can play either DT in a even front, or DE in an odd front. He has room to add at least 15 pounds to his massive frame without losing quickness and explosion. He's best suited for a one-gapping scheme where he can use his non-stop motor to reak havoc in opposing teams backfileds.

After missing on the defensive line last year in both free agency and the draft, the Redskins need to address the position immediately. Our best interior defender, Chris Baker, who is set to become a free agent this offseason, is 29. We need young talent to develop.

Reasoning for this pick:  I had Ohio State inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan rated slightly higher than McDowell, but I think we can draft a linebacker with a later pick in this draft. I like both Kendall Beckwith and Anthony Walker, and hope one of the two will be available with a later pick. Both McDowell and Solomon Thomas were rated very similar on my board, but McDowell had the edge for two reasons; 1) he's a junior, where Thomas is just a redshirt sophomore, and 2) he's more of a traditional defensive tackle, where Thomas is viewed by some as a defensive end prospect. I also looked at where some other defensive tackle prospect could fall in the second round, and a saw a significant drop-off in talent.

Overall, I see McDowell as a three-down defensive linemen for the Redskins, who is able to play the 3 or 5 technique opposite Chris Baker(if he is retained).

Tell me who you would have chosen, and why, in the comment section.