Todd McShay NFL Mock Draft: Redskins get a LB in the 1st round

Todd McShay released his second mock draft of the season on E$PN IN$IDER this morning, and has a new pick for the Washington Redskins. His first mock saw FSU safety Derwin James taken 13th overall by Washington. James drops down to the Chargers at #17 in this mock. The Redskins QB situation is somewhat clearer now that they traded for Alex Smith, and will presumably let Kirk Cousins hit free agency.

The Redskins go defense again in McShay’s latest attempt at projecting picks in the first round. Georgia LB Roquan Smith is the pick, and fills one of the many holes on that side of the ball. Washington re-signed LB Mason Foster last month, but starter Zach Brown, and backup Will Compton are free agents this year. Brown is in talks with the team, but will be looking for a pay bump this season.

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia*

After trading for Alex Smith and moving on from Cousins, the QB position is no longer an issue for the Redskins. Now they must shore up their defense and add weapons for Smith. Derwin James is a possibility here, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Su’a Cravens, but Smith is the best player the board and would immediately increase the speed and athleticism on Washington’s defensive front.

Smith(6’1”, 225 lbs) is a top prospect in this year’s draft, and there is a very good chance he won’t even be available when the Redskins pick on April 26th. He played 3 years at Georgia, starting in his last 2 years. Smith was great in his final season at Georgia, helping the Bulldogs get to the National Championship Game, barely losing to Alabama. He has won various awards in college including the Butkus Award, and was an All-American last season.

His size will be seen a knock by some teams, but he has the athletic ability to be a top LB in the league. Smith has been a leader on the Georgia defense, and the Redskins need that, along with his speed, on the team. If Brown walks, Smith could step into his spot, while also learning from a vet like Foster.

There were 4 QBs taken in the top 6 picks of the draft which will obviously help push some talented players down to the Redskins at #13. The next 6 picks after the Redskins pick:

14. Green Bay Packers: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

15. Arizona Cardinals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

16. Baltimore Ravens: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State

18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

19. Dallas Cowboys: Mo Hurst, DT, Michigan

And the rest of the NFC East:

2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida