Todd McShay Mock Draft: Redskins take a RB in the 1st round

Todd McShay is back with his third E$PN IN$IDER mock draft of the season, and has the Washington Redskins going offense for the 3rd year in the row with their 1st pick. Washington gets a talented RB in FSU’s Dalvin Cook, but also passes up on some defensive talent(and QBs) to take the 3rd RB off the board in a deep class for the position.

McShay has projected an offensive player to the Redskins in 2 out of his 3 mock drafts. In his first mock, he had Washington going WR with USC’s JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Redskins lost their top two receivers to free agency, but also signed Terrelle Pryor, and have Josh Doctson coming back from injury, and also Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed in the lineup. Smith-Schuster does not appear in the first round in his latest mock.

McShay’s second mock of the season had the Redskins going defense with Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers. There are questions about where Peppers will play at the next level, and how he would fit in the Redskins defense. Washington is moving 2nd year defender Su’a Cravens to safety from the ILB position he played last year. They also signed D.J. Swearinger, and have other players on the roster at the position. None of that should stop the team from drafting a player they feel could be a difference maker at the position. Peppers also does not appear in the first round of McShay’s newest mock draft.

The Redskins carried four running backs on the roster last season since Matt Jones was injured in Week 7 vs the Lions, and Mack Brown was promoted from the practice squad. Jones also had a critical fumble in that game, and didn’t play in a game again last year. “Fat” Rob Kelley took over the starting job, with Chris Thompson getting a lot of playing time behind him.

Kelley is expected to enter the offseason as the starter, but Jay Gruden could want more competition at the position. Thompson was tendered, and will likely be back. Matt Jones is still on the roster, and will have a chance to try to earn a spot in the rotation again. Mack Brown has been used primarily on special teams. Keith Marshall will also return after an elbow injury shut him down his rookie season.

Is Dalvin Cook the answer at RB for the Redskins, or can they wait until later in the draft to grab better players on defense?

17. Washington Redskins, 8-7-1

Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Some character red flags and a deep running back class could lead to Cook falling a bit, but he's far too talented to drop out of the first round. Running back is a big need for the Redskins, and Cook is an explosive playmaker who's also an adept pass-catcher out of the backfield. He looks like a true three-down back in the NFL.

Next 5 players drafted:

Tennessee Titans: WR Mike Williams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE David Njoku

Denver Broncos: OT Garrett Bolles

Detroit Lions: DE/OLB Charles Harris

Miami Dolphins: OLB Haason Reddick