Redskins Mock Draft Scenario- Stockpile picks

With the Redskins free agent approach of short term contracts and not making major commitments the Redskins were able to address a number of positions in free agency. This allowed them to ensure greater depth and should help make them a better team in 2017. The downside is they didn’t lock down any positions long term or bring in any guys who appear to be true difference makers. In terms of the draft this means the Redskins aren’t desperate to draft any position, but it also means that they could look for players at basically any position.

In that vein I wanted to look at a mock draft scenario where the Redskins decided to take advantage of the deep and talented draft class and trade back multiple times. Using On the Clock Premium I traded out of the first round after multiple moves and looked to stock pile as many top 4 round picks as possible. You can follow along with the draft here!

46: R2P14 EDGE DEREK RIVERS YOUNGSTOWN STATE

-A bit of a surprise as the top pick, but the Redskins have been looking at a number of EDGE prospects in their visits. Rivers is a small school guy, but he showed he can play versus better competition with a strong Senior Bowl week and a really good Combine. Rivers has the burst and quickness off the EDGE that the Redskins have lacked and he can be a nice ROLB to balance out Ryan Kerrigan on the left side. With Galette’s injury history and questionable off the field situation and Trent Murphy’s suspension, this position could definitely be a higher priority than most believe.

62: R2P30 S MARCUS WILLIAMS UTAH

-Williams is one of the best pure FS in this draft class and he would give the Redskins a really good 3rd safety option to go along with Swearinger and Cravens. With the Redskins playing more and more nickel defense they could find ways to get all three safeties on the field for a good percentage of the time. Williams would give the Redskins a true ball hawk center-fielder and a nice last line of defense.

63: R2P31 LB RAEKWON MCMILLAN OHIO STATE

-With the signing of Zach Brown, ILB isn’t the priority it once was, but with the extra picks the Redskins would be wise to still target it early in the draft. Currently the Redskins top 3 ILBs are all free agents after the season, so building for the future makes sense. McMillian could push for the starting role opposite Brown, but even if he doesn’t crack the starting line-up he could be penciled in as the starter for 2018.

80: R3P16 G DORIAN JOHNSON PITTSBURGH

-Johnson is one of my favorite interior OL options in this class and a guy who I think can be an instant starter. He’s got great size, power and technique and he comes from more of a pro style type offense which helps. He would be a great LG option to replace Lauvao, and the final piece to the Redskins OL puzzle.

81: R3P17 WR CARLOS HENDERSON LOUISIANA TECH

-The Redskins might have added a pair of receivers this offseason, but both are on one year contracts. Add in the fact that Josh Doctson is still an unknown, the the future of the Redskins receiver corps is very much up in the air. Using a mid-round pick on a guy to develop does make some sense with the extra selections. Henderson also balances out the height they added in free agency and gives them another deep threat option (though he needs some refinement). Henderson is a special player when the ball is in his hands and this would be a good situation to bring him into as he wouldn’t need to take on a large role as a rookie. Henderson can be used as a screen/deep threat option who also can become the primary kick returner (3 KO TDs in college).

105: R3P41 CB CAMERON SUTTON TENNESSEE

-Sutton was a highly productive corner at Tennessee, who profiles best in the slot at the next level, but versatile enough to play outside as well. He’s got good instincts and does a nice job mirroring his opponent in the short area. His ball skills are strong as well, and he has experience as a return man as well. Sutton would give the Redskins a nice additional corner option in case Fuller doesn’t develop and/or if Breeland leaves as a free agent after the year.

114: R4P7 EDGE DEMARCUS WALKER FLORIDA STATE

-Walker is a highly productive pass rusher these past two seasons with 26.5 sacks in that time frame. Though listed as an edge he might fit best for the Redskins with bulking up some to play as a pass rushing 5 technique who can kick inside on passing downs. Walker is 6’4”, 280 and he can bulk up a bit more to fill the role. Though his college production is impressive he doesn’t have the elite edge ability you are looking for, which is why a move to the 5T/3T role could be his best fit. Currently right now there is a big void for the Redskins along their defensive line when it comes to players who can rush the QB, so adding a guy like Walker makes some sense.

130: R4P23 DL ELIJAH QUALLS WASHINGTON

-Qualls like a number of defensive line prospects in this class is solid, and will show flashes at times, but probably won’t ever develop into a star. Still he fits with what the Redskins need as a guy who can play NT, 3-tech and even some 5-tech in a pinch (not ideal length for the role). He’s more of a run-stuffer and he could push for the starting nose tackle role as a rookie. This is a solid value spot here even if he doesn’t develop as more of a complete player and he gives the Redskins another solid young defensive lineman.

142: R4P35 RB JAMES CONNER PITTSBURGH

-After the top 4-5 backs, Conner is one of my favorite options in this class. He might not fully take over the lead back role, but combining him and Kelley on early downs and Chris Thompson on passing downs should give the Redskins a decent rushing attack going forward.

154: R5P10 C TYLER ORLOSKY WEST VIRGINIA

-With Johnson picked above the OL is set, but that doesn’t mean depth should be ignored. Currently the Redskins really don’t even have a back-up center option so Orlosky fills that role immediately. Also he gives the Redskins some insurance if Spencer Long isn’t retained in free agency next year.

174: R5P30 TE GEORGE KITTLE IOWA

-I can see Kittle going a round higher (if not more), but in this simulation he’s still on the board and a really nice value pick as an in line tight end with good size and athleticism. He gives the Redskins plenty of versatility for this season with 2 and 3 TE sets and he can take on a larger role as Davis declines.

209: R6P25 CB BRANDON WILSON HOUSTON

-Wilson is listed as a corner, but he’s really more of an athlete/returner than anything else. Wilson played primarily on defense and special teams in college, but these past two years he got some usage on offense as well. He’s an explosive athlete and could be an interesting developmental guy at the bottom of the CB depth chart who can help return kicks as well.

220: R7P2 S DAVID JONES RICHMOND

-One of the thinnest positions on the Redskins currently is the safety group and going forward it doesn’t get that much better as few guys are signed beyond this season. Jones is an interesting FCS player, who has size, speed, length and a ton of production to his name. He’s capable of backing up either safety spot, but he is noted for his ball skills and coverage ability making him a capable free safety option. In addition to his value as a versatile depth option, he also played a lot of special teams in college as well and can help in that area.

235: R7P17 LB CONNOR HARRIS LINDENWOOD

-While the bottom of the Redskins ILB depth chart is a bit crowded at this point, with the extra picks the Redskins can add a guy who has some nice late round intrigue. With the top 3 ILBs impending free agents the Redskins can use the depth, and Harris is a guy who can become a valuable special teams contributor.

What do you think of this mock? Should the Redskins trade out of the first round and how would you approach this kind of scenario? Share your thoughts and mocks below!