NFL Mock Draft 2019: Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. give the Redskins some new talent

ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. have combined to do a 3 round mock draft one week before the 1st round of the 2019 NFL draft starts. The two draft prognosticators switched picks back and forth to provide the first 102 picks.

McShay started it off for the Redskins in the first round by taking Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown at #15. He mentions that the top three QBs are off the board, leaving Daniel Jones sitting there, but Washington opts to go Hollywood instead.

Round 1

McShay’s pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

With the top three quarterbacks off the board, let’s get a burner with great hands for Case Keenum. Washington has been looking for a game-changing receiver for a long time.

Mel Kiper, Jr. gets the call next and gives the Redskins a player to fill another big need this year. Preston Smith left in free agency, leaving an underwhelming Ryan Anderson as the projected starter opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Enter Michigan OLB Chase Winovich, a very talented pass rusher who could be in the starting lineup early in his career.

Round 2

Kiper’s pick: Chase Winovich, OLB, Michigan

I was looking for a fit for Winovich with a team that runs a 3-4 defense. He outproduced Rashan Gary for the Wolverines.

Kiper also gets to pick both of the Redskins 3rd round picks in this collaborative mock. Kiper goes for another defender with Washington first pick in this round. Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson joins a Redskins secondary that has some big question marks this season. Jay Gruden wants Josh Norman to play up to his hype and contract. Quinton Dunbar had a mystery nerve injury last year that sidelined him. Fabian Moreau has been underwhelming, and the Redskins have some young players fighting for position at the bottom of the depth chart.

Kiper mentions getting a QB with the Redskins first pick in 3rd round, but waits until pick #96 to get their young signal caller. West Virginia’s Will Grier has received a lot of love from Washington, and Head Coach Jay Gruden, in the pre-draft process. If they don’t grab a QB early, or trade for Josh Rosen, Grier is definitely in play in the 3rd round(and possibly earlier).

Round 3

Kiper’s pick: Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB, Kentucky

Could this be a sneaky spot to watch for the fifth quarterback off the board? Johnson is a good player who will push for playing time immediately.

Kiper’s pick: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia

If I had pick No. 15, I would have thought about quarterback Daniel Jones for the Redskins. But let’s add Grier, who could sit behind Case Keenum for a year.