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Alright, the Combine is 8 days away, at which point the pre-draft frenzy will begin in earnest. Until then, there’s little to do but discuss carving off the contracts of dead-weight veterans and trying to make a mini-splash with released free agents in the period before the new league year starts. Oh, that and mock drafting. This is the second of my pre-draft mocks, conducted using the Fanspeak.com mock draft simulator.
For this mock, I used the latest big board available, the CBS - Josh Edwards’ Big Board (2/14/20), on the “difficult” setting. As I intend to do in all my mocks - and hope the Redskins will, in reality - I looked to trade back from the #2 pick. To begin the draft, I had two offers to do so, and obliged the Jaguars, sending #2 for #9, #20, and round 2 pick 10.
Round 1, Pick 9:
Isaiah Simmons (LB)
Jeffrey Okudah (CB)
CeeDee Lamb (WR)
Young, Simmons, and Okudah. Those are the three top defensive players in this draft. With the trade back to #9, it’s almost impossible to believe Young would still be around, and he wasn’t in this case. Surprisingly, both Simmons and Okudah were. It would be hard to go wrong with either one, but Simmons is just too versatile a player to pass on. He instantly upgrades the linebacking corps, bolstering the Redskins already very solid front four. Lamb was available, but those familiar with my approach know I don’t take WRs early. Ever.
Round 1, Pick 20: Trade back with Titans for #29, Round 3 pick 29, and Round 6 pick 29.
In the mocks I’ve done, this is consistently a great spot to trade back from to get at least one more Day 2 pick and keep a second Day 1 pick. This mock was no different.
Round 1, Pick 29:
Tyler Biadasz (C)
Xavier McKinney (S)
Prince Tega Wanogho (OT)
There’s no escaping it, the Redskins have to upgrade at free safety. Is McKinney the answer? It’s hard to say, but either he, or Grant Delpit, seem to be the consensus #1 safety in the draft. He’s got versatility, with the ability to play FS, SS, or in the slot, and he comps with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, one of my favorites from last year’s draft, and a solid contributor to the Saints this year. OL depth was important, but the way the board was falling, and with additional Day 2 picks, it looked like there was time to wait.
Round 2, Pick 10: Trade back with the Seahawks for Round 2 pick 27 and 32.
An easy choice. Presented with the option to trade one second rounders for two, I’m taking that all day.
Round 2, Pick 27:
Josh Jones (OT)
Matt Peart (OT)
Denzel Mims (WR)
Here, several solid project guys at OT remained. When the real draft rolls around, I suspect Jones won’t last this long, but he did here, and I took him. He has left tackle starter upside, and assuming we keep Trent around for another year or two, he would have the time to develop. This pick puts Geron Christian Sr. on notice that, either he better step up to challenge Morgan Moses for the RT position, or risk eventually falling off the roster.
Round 2, Pick 32:
Ashtyn Davis (S)
Antonio Gandy Golden (WR)
Adam Trautman (TE)
Gandy Golden is tantalizing here. I think he’s a potential breakout star at WR, but the team’s need for a TE is just too great to pass on. Trautman’s stock has shot up since the Senior Bowl, and I’d love to see him become a Redskin, perhaps understudying with Greg Olsen for a year or so.
Round 3, Pick 2:
Comped to the 49ers TJ Ward, Winfield adds depth to a position of significant weakness for the team. Troy Apke and Jeremy Reaves have to be upgraded upon.
Round 3, Pick 29:
Uche is something of a pass rush specialist, and an asset the Redskins could use to augment Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat (and Jordan Brailford?) on the outside of the front four. This line from his draft evaluation, in particular, caught my attention, “the difference in becoming a pro linebacker instead of a short-term, hybrid athlete will depend largely upon improving his second-level instincts and finding an eclectic defensive mind to unlock his potential.” I think we have a couple of those.
Round 4, Pick 2:
Dad was an OL coach and NFL starter: Check. Has swing tackle athleticism: Check. Went to a school where he’s likely to be overlooked (UNC): Check. Can never have too much OL depth.
Round 4, Pick 38:
When I first heard about Dugger, I was skeptical. I assumed he was beating up weak competition. After I saw him play at the Senior Bowl, I got religion. Dugger can play anywhere in the defensive backfield and brings solid special teams upside as well. He gets added here.
Round 5, Pick 2:
Lewis is described as a great run blocker who still needs work as a pass blocker. He becomes an IOL project, joining Pierschbacher and, perhaps, Wes Martin.
Round 6, Pick 29
Pride helped his stock at Senior Bowl week. He still needs development, but assuming Dunbar is re-signed and Moreau shows out, or is usurped by a free agent, there is an opportunity for depth CBs to develop.
Round 7, Pick 2:
In my last mock here, I took two TEs, and the opportunity presented itself again. I sincerely hope that it’s not necessary for Jeremy Sprinkle to be on this 53 man roster when the season begins.
Round 7, Pick 15:
I would have liked to have picked up a WR earlier than this, but Gibson was the best of what was left. He’s an intriguing athlete with great hands and burst who can play WR, 3rd down RB, and special teams returner. I’d encourage you to take a look at his highlights.
This draft puts bodies in most of the team’s key positions of need, but I look forward to your thoughts on it in the comments below.