Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft Roundup: The Redskins get more talent on defense

The NFL Combine is over, the official 2018 Draft Order has been released, and it’s time for a new round of mock drafts! Mocks change weekly, daily hourly depending on new information, or the never-ending need for clicks. The Underwear Olympics is one of the biggest parts of the mock offseason, and everyone is racing to give your favorite team someone new. Those 40 times!, a few injuries, and anonymous scout rumors give you this week’s round of mocked players for the Washington Redskins. Defense is king this week, especially in the secondary.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama

Pro Football Focus

With Kendall Fuller traded to the Chiefs, the Redskins have holes to shore up in the secondary. At worst, Fitzpatrick looks like a good slot corner or safety, though his size makes him an intriguing option as an outside cornerback despite playing only 13 snaps there last season. He has three strong years of grading under his belt on 2,281 career snaps.

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

CBS Sports(Brinson)

The Redskins are quietly getting kind of thin at cornerback with Breshaud Breeland a free agent and Kendall Fuller going to the Chiefs in a trade.

CBS Sports(Prisco)

They traded Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs in the Alex Smith deal and Bashaud Breeland is a free agent. Taking a corner makes sense and Jackson is a ball hawk.

Derwin James, S, Florida State

Newsday

Washington has moved on from Kirk Cousins by trading for Alex Smith, which frees them up to address one of their other needs in the first round. While safety isn’t a major problem, they could use an impact player deep in the secondary. Derwin James is just that. He’s similar to former Seminole Jalen Ramsey in terms of versatility — both played all over Florida State’s secondary, including cornerback, safety and up in the box as a linebacker. James looks to be fully healed from a torn meniscus that cost him almost all of his 2016 season, and his athleticism could be a huge boost for Washington’s secondary.

NFL.com(Schrager)

James is a dynamic game-changer who lined up at both safety spots, was used at cornerback and even had moments of brilliance at linebacker. Pure athlete.

LA Times(Farmer)

If they can’t grab a game-changing running back, the Redskins will look to address their needs at safety, inside linebacker, and along the defensive line.

Bleacher Report(Miller)

Florida State safety Derwin James is the ultimate plug-and-play prospect at strong safety. That just so happens to be a need in Washington given the uncertain future of Su’a Cravens (who also played linebacker) and with starter Deshazor Everett being a replacement-level player.

James is a special athlete who showed up both on the field and on the track. At 6’3”, 215 pounds he turned in a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and added 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Both numbers reflect the type of athleticism James showed in his time at FSU.

For Washington, James is the type of athlete who can come in and give the defense an instant upgrade.

Round 2: MJ Stewart, CB, North Carolina

Round 4: Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers

Vita Vea, DT, Washington

SB Nation(Kadar)

There is an outside shot that Vea lasts this long, and if he does Washington shouldn’t hesitate to take him. Vea can play up and down the line, and give Washington a player who would let them easily shift between even and odd fronts.

CBS Sports(Dubin)

Washington had a horrific run defense in 2017 despite nabbing former Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen -- who was limited to only five games -- in the first round of last year’s draft. Pairing him with Vea will make the middle of the defense much more stout, an important thing in a division suddenly featuring three incredibly strong running back groups.

For The Win

Washington quietly had one of the best pass rushing units in the league last season, but this line needs more beef on the interior. How does a 347-pound tackle with rare movement skills sound, Redskins fans?

Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

WalterFootball

Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

Sporting News(Galko)

With a new quarterback in Alex Smith, the Redskins should find reinforcements to make their defense a strength. Smith can help solidify their front seven.

NDT Scouting

I think some teams could be turned off by Roquan Smith’s size, but this is an absolute gift for the Washington Redskins, given the value and need at this spot. They landed Jonathan Allen after he fell to them last year, and this would be a similar scenario.

Leighton Vander Esch, OLB, Boise State

CBS Sports(Trapasso)(TRADE)

The Trade:

Derwin James, SS, Florida State: As the Chargers see James fall, they want to make sure they get him, so they send their third-and fourth-round picks to Washington. James is a hyper-versatile gifted athlete who’ll instantly be a playmaker in the Chargers secondary, especially playing behind Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram up front.

The Redskins pick:

The standout linebacker put on an absolute show at the combine on Sunday, and will be a tackling machine behind a defensive line that spends time two-gapping. The Redskins are able to get their target after the trade back.

Marcus Davenport - OLB, UTSA

NFL.com(Jeremiah)

Davenport has solidified his spot as the No. 2 pass rusher in the draft behind Bradley Chubb.