Redskins Mock Draft Simulation

I’m starting up my Washington Redskins Hogs Haven mock draft simulations and will do a couple a week leading up to the draft. In addition to showing some plausible scenarios for the Redskins I hope to use this space as a way to talk about various prospects and how they can be utilized with the Redskins. I realize that not everyone is a fan of mocks and if that if this is not for you no worries, feel free to comment on the prospects mentioned or positional needs discussed.

For my first simulation I just used the standard On the Clock mock draft simulator with the basic settings with the exception of the difficult setting. Feel free to check out the actual draft here!

13: R1P13 LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS VIRGINIA TECH

-I know with the return of Zach Brown many would say that ILB is no longer a “need” for the Redskins, but I don’t think the position is locked down with Brown and Mason Foster as the starters. There is still plenty of room for improvement there, and Edmunds is a raw talent with elite upside who can help as a run defender, blitzer and in coverage vs tight ends and backs. Foster’s contract is cheap enough where he is really valued as a back-up/special teams player, so it shouldn’t prevent the drafting of Edmunds. The two areas the Redskins struggled the most with last year were run defense and covering TE’s, Edmunds is a considerable improvement in both areas, and long term has the potential to develop into an elite defender.

44: R2P12 DL HARRISON PHILLIPS STANFORD

-Speaking of run defense the Redskins need to add players along the defensive line who are good in this area and Phillips is one of the top run defenders in college. He had over 100 tackles as a defensive lineman, which simply doesn’t happen at the college level. He plays with good power, and does an incredible job of finding the ball carrier and figuring out where he’s going. He can play both nose tackle and 5 technique in the Redskins base defense and play the 1 technique when they are in a 4 man front. Though primarily known for his run defense, he’s been effective pushing the pocket and getting pressure and clean-up sacks these last two seasons. Phillips can hold his own on passing situations, so while he might not be on the field on 3rd and long, he won’t be a liability when teams throw when he’s out there.

113: R4P13 S JESSIE BATES III WAKE FOREST

-Bates has some hype in some circles as a top 75 player and someone who could be in the late Rd 2 discussion. I think there are some concerns with his game that could make him more of a 4th rd target and if he’s there I think the Redskins would be wise to add him. What holds me back on Bates and why he might slide, is the fact that while he racks up a number of tackles and at times will make some big hits, his angles of pursuit and reaction time in run support is sub optimal. Where he excels though is his coverage ability and ball hawking skills. He does a really nice job in man coverage and he can lock up tight ends and some wide receivers. That is an area where the Redskins still need some help and while they have Swearinger and Nicholson, they don’t have much behind them. Bates could be a nice 3rd safety option and give the Redskins more depth and versatility on defense.

149: R5P12 RB BO SCARBROUGH ALABAMA

-Though there is a lot of talk of the Redskins draft a running back early, it’s possible that other needs or value is just too good to pass up at those picks. If that is the case adding a back like Scarbrough might make some sense. While he’s not going to “fix” the Redskins running back woes, he can help improve their committee approach and help them situationally as well. Scarbrough is a big physical power back, who at the very least can help the Redskins in short yardage and goal line situations. While Kelley and Perine have similar builds, neither has the same power and physicality that Scarbrough brings to the backfield. It’s unlikely he’s every a full time back, he does have pretty decent athletic numbers so perhaps there is more to him than what we saw at Alabama.

188: R6P14 C BRADLEY BOZEMAN ALABAMA

-Bozeman had a good career at Alabama and a strong showing Senior Bowl week, to get himself in the late round picture. He’s not athletically gifted compared to other linemen, but he’s strong and physical and plays smart. He’s limited to the interior, with center being his better position, but he’s capable of playing guard as well. Though the Redskins ideally address the interior offensive line earlier in the draft, Bozeman is a good fall back option. He is similar to Roullier from a year ago and could push for a role earlier than expected.

231: R7P13 EDGE JOE OSTMAN CENTRAL MICHIGAN

-Ostman tied for the NCAA sack lead this year with 14 sacks and did so playing in only 11 games (versus 13 or 14 for most other players). He’s been a highly disruptive EDGE the last two seasons where he combined for 23 sacks and 34 tackles for a loss. Ostman doesn’t have the size or body type you typically want for an EDGE rusher, but while that may make him an unlikely starter, his natural talents and decent athletic ability could make him a solid situational EDGE player. For a 7th round pick it’s a solid roll of the dice for the Redskins.

241: R7P23 OT COLE MADISON WASHINGTON STATE

-Madison is a solid late rd depth offensive lineman who can play both tackle and move inside to guard. He’s not pro ready just yet, but he has a solid frame and with some added strength and coaching he could develop into more than just a depth player. In the meantime he can battle for a back-up role vs a group that is pretty thin overall.

Notes:

If you follow along with the draft link above you will see that at pick 13 I had the choice between Harold Landry, Vita Vea and Edmunds. Now I think a strong case can be made for any of the 3, but I went with Edmunds in this simulation because I think he’s the best combination of immediate need/upside/usage. I’m a huge Landry fan, but feel that he’s not going to add enough value short or long term with Preston Smith here. Now if the Redskins have already decided that Smith will walk next year that is a bit different. As for Vea he definitely fits the Redskins biggest need, but my issue with him is that he’s probably a 40-55% player who is going to be excellent versus the run, but just okay vs the pass. Edmunds on the other hand might not be an every down player as a rookie given the presence of a vet like Foster, but he will still probably be out there 70% of the time. Going forward that will grow to the point where he’s on the field every down and impacting the team.