NFL Mock Draft 2019: ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. gives the Redskins a new OLB

It’s the Conference Championship round of the NFL playoffs this week which means it’s time for a mock draft for the Redskins! Mel Kiper, Jr. released his first mock draft of the season this morning. Will the Redskins get their QB of the future this year, or will they continue to build up their defense? The NFL draft is April 25th in Nashville, Tennessee this year.

Kiper goes defense for the Redskins with the 15th overall pick. Preston Smith is expected to test free agency, and could get a big payday that the Redskins aren’t willing to match. That leaves Washington very thin at OLB for 2019. Ryan Kerrigan was a stud once again in 2018, but after that the options are thin or just not there at all. Ryan Anderson was drafted in the 2nd round in 2017, but hasn’t made an impact at the position yet. The Redskins signed Pernell McPhee last season, and let Junior Gallette go. By the middle of the season, they were turning to guys like Cassanova McKinzy for depth.

Kiper gives the Redskins Florida OLB Jachai Polite to replace Preston Smith. The Redskins have been trying to find the guy opposite Kerrigan for years now with mixed results. Polite would step in as an immediate starter, and fill the hole created by another 2nd round free agent OLB leaving after their rookie deal is up.

15. Washington Redskins

Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida

This is another potential landing spot for Kyler Murray. Alex Smith’s scary injury put his future in jeopardy, and it wouldn’t shock me if the Redskins added a young quarterback this offseason. Ultimately, I’m going with Polite, a perfect pass-rusher for a 3-4 defense who came on strong with 11 sacks this season. Former second-round pick Preston Smith has been inconsistent, and he’s a free agent, so Polite makes sense as a replacement opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Safety is another position to watch, depending on what happens with free agent Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.