Washington Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

Football hasn't changed as much as it would like to pretend in the NFL's modern era. No matter how many times you hear phrases such as "pass-happy age" or "offense-driven game," two truths remain eternal on the gridiron.

First, defense wins championships. Second, all good teams are built from the trenches up.

Both of those things are good news for the Washington Redskins headed into the 2016 NFL draft. General manager Scot McCloughan is already running the rule over a class rich in outstanding D-line prospects.

Two trench-based agents of destruction should be at the forefront of McCloughan's thoughts when he picks 21st overall. Both former stalwarts of the SEC, a conference Washington's GM loves to plunder, either lineman can fortify a run defense that was softer than a feather lying on cotton in 2015.

Fixing the defense, front-seven first, has to be McCloughan's priority during his second draft in charge. So think run-stuffing linemen, seek-and-destroy linebackers, edge-rushers and ball-hawking defensive backs.

Each of those positions represent an obvious need for Washington. Please, resist the urge to shout "best player available" at your screen.

The so-called "BPA" philosophy might make for good buzz speak, but it's a myth. Don't believe me? Just consider McCloughan's 2015 draft haul.

Nine picks netted the best offensive lineman in the class, an outside pass-rusher, a versatile running back, slot receiver, hard-hitting safety, inside linebacker and secondary help. All were major needs after 2014's dismal 4-12 finish.

By taking what he deemed the best available prospects for the positions of need (see how it works?), McCloughan made quick work of retooling a roster top-heavy with some elite talent, but unbalanced by feeble depth.

With eight picks (and perhaps more) to work with in 2016, McCloughan can add playmakers to a roster good enough to rule the NFC East last season.

Read on for a full mock draft, beginning with a big board of the top 100 prospects the Redskins should seriously consider in the early rounds later this month.

Top 100 Big Board

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

McCloughan can answer many questions with his eight picks.

The following are the top 100 players the Redskins should target early in this year's draft. Typically, this is the group from which picks in the first four rounds will be made.

This particular big board represents players who fit the primary needs Washington must address at the end of this month. They include D-line, interior offensive line, inside linebacker, running back and secondary depth.

As much as possible, a balance has been struck between talent versus need. So, for instance, Laquon Treadwell maintains a high spot on the board, even though choosing a receiver in the first two rounds would be a luxury pick from McCloughan. After all, the position is already loaded with DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, Jamison Crowder and Ryan Grant.

Working the other way, Reggie Ragland stays high on the board, despite a poor showing during Alabama's national championship win over Clemson, along with a rather limited skill set. But as a two-down thumper, there are few better in this draft, and Ragland would fill a major hole at the heart of Washington's front seven:

Washington Redskins Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
2	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
3	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
4	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
5	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
6	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
7	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
8	Reggie Ragland	MLB	Alabama
9	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
10	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
11	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
12	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
13	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
14	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
15	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
14	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
16	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
17	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
18	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
20	Cody Whitehair	G	Kansas State
22	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
23	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
24	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
25	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
26	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
27	Noah Spence	DE/OLB	Eastern Kentucky
28	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
29	Darian Thompson	FS	Boise State
30	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
31	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
32	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State
33	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
34	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
35	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
36	Keanu Neal	FS	Florida
37	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
37	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Fla.)
38	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
40	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
41	Joshua Garnett	G	Stanford
42	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
43	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
44	Joshua Perry	OLB	Ohio State
45	Christian Westerman	G	Arizona State
46	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
47	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
48	Landon Turner	G	North Carolina
49	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
50	T.J. Green	FS	Clemson
51	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
52	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
53	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
54	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
55	Vadal Alexander	G	LSU
56	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
57	Jordan Jenkins	OLB	Georgia
58	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
59	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
60	Jason Fanaika	DE/OLB	Utah
61	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
62	Eric Murray	CB	Minnesota
63	Harlan Miller	CB	Southeastern Louisiana
64	Miles Killebrew	SS	Southern Utah
65	Joe Dahl	G	Washington State
66	Su'a Cravens	LB/S	USC
67	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
68	Graham Glasgow	G	Michigan
69	Evan Boehm	C	Missouri
70	DeAndre Houston-Carson	FS	William & Mary
71	Kyle Murphy	OT	Stanford
72	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
73	Blake Martinez	ILB	Stanford
74	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
75	Kamalei Correa	DE	Boise State
76	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
77	Jacoby Brissett	QB	North Carolina State
78	Juston Burris	DB	North Carolina State
79	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
80	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	BYU
81	Jack Allen	C	Michigan State
82	Cole Toner	OT	Harvard
83	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
84	Jason Fanaika	DE/OLB	Utah
85	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
86	Maliek Collins	NT	Nebraska
87	James Cowser	DE/OLB	Southern Utah
88	Roger Lewis	WR	Bowling Green
89	Scooby Wright III	ILB	Arizona State
90	Joe Schobert	ILB	Wisconsin
91	Tyler Ervin	RB	San Jose State
92	Fahn Cooper	OT	Ole Miss
93	Kelvin Taylor	RB	Florida
94	Jayron Kearse	SS	Clemson
95	Sean Davis	FS	Maryland
96	Jalen Mills	FS	LSU
97	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
98	Brandon Shell	OT	South Carolina
99	D.J. Reader	NT	Clemson
100	Brandon Allen	QB	Arkansas

Round 1, Pick 21: Jarran Reed, DT Alabama

Jarran Reed may not be a first-round pick to set pulses racing, but he makes too much sense for the Redskins to ignore at 21.

Select Reed, and McCloughan would add a player born to clog running lanes and absorb blockers along a three-man line. As far as temperament goes, Reed is the kind of no frills, intelligent grafter with which Washington's GM wants to litter his roster.

When considering Reed, it's easy to get wrapped up in what he can't do. The statistics don't exactly jump off the page and scream playmaker: 17 solo tackles, 4.5 stops for loss and just one sack for the Crimson Tide in 2015, per cfbstats.com.

But if crunching the numbers is the only thing that flips your switch, you'll easily overlook everything Reed can do.

What he does is make himself a magnet for double teams. When Reed slides his ample 6'3", 311-pound frame into a running lane, it's like rolling a boulder in front of a cave.

Opponents attempting to make hay on the ground against the Tide last year found it easier running away from Reed, even though it meant heading toward A'Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen instead.

Stuffing the run is Reed's forte. No, it's not a fashionable skill in today's game. Yes, it's still an essential part of winning on Sundays.

It's also what the Redskins didn't do last season, as rankings of 26th in overall run defense, including surrendering 122.6 rushing yards per game, prove, according to the league's official site.

The problem ultimately brought Washington's otherwise thrilling season to a limp conclusion, as Rich Tandler of Real Redskins noted in his own assessment of Reed: "Forget about the regular season stats; when the playoffs rolled around the Packers’ running game (141 yards) was just as responsible for beating the Redskins as was Aaron Rodgers."

Add Reed to the mix up front and that problem goes away, something Tandler also highlighted: "Reed could line up just about anywhere along the line and create problems for any team trying to run the ball."

Take one look at the schedule for the new season and you'll see why the Redskins must fix their run defense fast. Marquee running backs such as Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers' workhorse Jonathan Stewart will be challenging Washington's D in 2016.

There are also two reunions with a certain Mr. Alfred Morris to consider.

Reed's bulk, power and versatility would make him an instant asset for a front soft on the ground, one that's lost Jason Hatcher, Frank Kearse and Terrance Knighton this offseason. Coached in typically astute fashion by Nick Saban in Mobile, Reed can fill any of those positions thanks to the ability to line up at 5-technique end, 3-gap tackle or 0-technique nose guard directly over the center.

Justin Byram told Scout.com's Breaking Burgundy he sees Reed fitting best in the latter spot: "Reed is as powerful as they come, using phenomenal lower body strength and a well-timed punch off the snap to be a very effective nose tackle, clogging the middle and filling running lanes with ease."

Among the mountain of pre-draft blurb, one pro comparison to really enjoy is the one likening Reed to current Oakland Raiders D-tackle Dan Williams, per CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang.

Williams was one of the true gems of last season's free-agency market, a player the Redskins may have considered ahead of Knighton, who in all honesty flattered to deceive during his sole season reppin' the Burgundy and Gold.

Selecting Reed would net the Redskins a player who could slide inside on base downs. It's still a need, especially with big Chris Baker declaring he wants to remain at left end, according to ESPN's John Keim.

But whether in base defense or nickel, every unit needs a player who will make opponents one-dimensional, while making those around him look good. Reed is those things in a nutshell.

He's not a wow pick, but McCloughan isn't looking for one of those. He didn't last year when he selected Brandon Scherff fifth overall, and he isn't this year, something he recently made clear to B/R's Jason Cole: "But I'm adding the same kind of guy. Toughness, smarts, competitiveness, team. The whole thing."

That could be Reed's byline.

Round 2, Pick 53: Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana

Maybe expecting Jordan Howard to still be there at 53 is the "stuff that dreams are made of" to quote Bogie. Yet his injury concerns make a slide on draft day not just possible, but likely.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports emphasized durability as the main concern with this former Hoosier: "Howard is arguably one of the five-best running backs in the 2016 class, but he missed four games in 2015 and parts of several others due to injuries. Although his medical reports will be a strong part of his pro evaluation, Howard is a Day 2 draft pick based on talent."

But if Howard is still there when Washington is making its second pick, McCloughan has to take him. He won't secure a better prospect for a position decimated this offseason.

Alfred Morris, Pierre Thomas and Darrel Young all took a walk in free agency. Chris Thompson is recovering from shoulder surgery, while Silas Redd has just been hit with an indefinite suspension for substance abuse violations, per the league's official site.

Head coach Jay Gruden has been talking a big game about leaning on last year's third-rounder Matt Jones, according to CSNMid-Atlantic's Tarik El-Bashir. But while Jones' talent is beyond question, his own durability and ball security face scrutiny. Maybe that's why Gruden admitted, "We’re taking a bit of a gamble here."

The real gamble would be not coming out of this draft with a back capable of pushing Jones for playing time. Howard is exactly the runner for the job, provided he can stay healthy.

Despite tipping the scales at a beefy-sounding 230 pounds, Howard transports his ample bulk on a pair of light and intelligent feet. His specialty is cutback runs to the inside, a skill owing everything to an acute sense of timing and pinpoint vision.

Those qualities are the cornerstones of a natural zone-style runner. No doubt that's why Lance Zierlein of the league's official site has compared Howard at his best to former perennial 1,000-yard rusher Arian Foster, a master of the zone school of toting the rock.

Sure, the checkered medical history rates as a concern. But McCloughan is no stranger to rolling the dice on a back many believed would need to be held together by duct tape to survive in the pros.

He gambled and won big when he snagged Frank Gore for the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft, despite an extensive history of knee problems.

A depleted depth chart behind a still-unproven starter is McCloughan's motivation to chance his judgement on another brittle but brilliant ball-carrier.

Round 3, Pick 84: Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State

Washington's attempts to get a player who can create pressure from the inside and support outside linebackers in the pass rush haven't gone well in recent seasons.

Jason Hatcher looked like the perfect fit for this key role when Bruce Allen poached him from hated NFC East rivals the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. Hatch' was coming off of an 11-sack, Pro Bowl campaign. Sadly, just 7.5 sacks in two seasons proved he wasn't ever going to have the same impact in D.C. he'd had in the Lone Star state.

Stephen Paea arrived at Redskins Park in 2015, but he could muster just 1.5 sacks after logging half a dozen quarterback takedowns for the Chicago Bears the season before.

Every D-line needs a consistent pass-rush threat, especially a line asked to execute a one-gap scheme like the one Washington defensive coordinator Joe Barry favors. So Barry should be enamoured with a pick that nets true hidden gem, Javon Hargrave.

An explosive tackle who shoots through gaps rather than simply occupying them, Hargrave bossed FCS-level competition. While the more jaded among draft observers may scoff at the standard of opposition, dominance is noteworthy at any level.

A few words from Pro Football Focus highlight attributes in Hargrave any pro coaches would covet in an interior playmaker:

"

Arguably the most explosive interior athlete in the class. Burst off the snap is elite. Offensive lineman have no chance on reps where he times the snap correctly

Bowling ball frame and plays low. Almost impossible to out leverage him. He’s playing on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage

Extremely accomplished pass rusher at the FCS level. Translated to four hurries and a sack on 54 pass rushes between the Senior Bowl and Shrine game.

"

The comparison made by the same report to Earl Mitchell of the Miami Dolphins is also apt. Before earning his money in Miami, Mitchell played 3-4 nose tackle for the Houston Texans in Wade Phillips' attack-minded version of the scheme in 2013.

What Hargrave guarantees is constant disruption along the line of scrimmage. He can line up over guard or center and win his one-on-one battles with speed and malicious intent. But he'd unquestionably be at his best splitting the gaps between blockers and cutting a quick path into the backfield.

With Hargrave working the interior, while Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith collapse the edges, the Redskins would have the ideal pass-rush combo to wreck the pocket and box quarterbacks in for some pain.

Washington wants to "get younger on the defensive line," per Brian McNally of CBSDC, and there's certainly room for more than one new prospect.

When Rich Tandler broke down the depth chart for CSN Mid-Atlantic, he named six as the magic number for linemen the team will carry into the season. He also named a player such as Ziggy Hood as maybe facing "an uphill climb" to make the roster.

By adding Reed's miserly bulk and Hargrave's game-wrecking dynamism alongside Baker, Paea, Ricky Jean-Francois and new boy Kendall Reyes, the Redskins can build a truly fearsome front.

Round 4, Pick 120: Jalen Mills, DB, LSU

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Versatile DB Mills would add key depth in Washington's secondary.

McCloughan can plug two gaps with one player by using his fourth-round choice to take flexible cover man Jalen Mills off of the board.

He's projected to corner, both outside and in the slot, as well as free safety. Mills has the versatility to compete for playing time and add depth at several spots in Washington's rather threadbare rotation.

Cornerback appears set with Bashaud Breeland, Chris Culliver, Will Blackmon and Quinton Dunbar. The team has even agreed a deal with veteran Greg Toler, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

At safety, there's new arrival David Bruton Jr., along with the returning Duke Ihenacho and converted corner DeAngelo Hall. Last year's sixth-rounder Kyshoen Jarrett is also in the mix, although his shoulder injury rates as an ongoing worry.

Back in March, Gruden declared himself "a little concerned" about Jarrett's recovery from the injury he picked up in Week 17's win over the Cowboys, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post.

Being without Jarrett for a prolonged period of time would be a difficult problem for Barry and secondary coach Perry Fewell to overcome. Jarret proved himself a key part of last season's schemes as a safety who often transitioned to slot corner and even matched up with marquee tight ends in man coverage.

Drafting Mills would give Washington a measure of security against ongoing injury issues for Jarrett. His smarts, range and competent coverage skills were a feature of the Tigers' D during his stint at LSU.

This is a battle-tested prospect who started four seasons in the always-tough SEC, a level of experience sure to appeal to McCloughan.

The only things counting against Mills are his 'tweener traits and a leg injury that denied him portions of his final year at Baton Rouge.

But those same things can work in Washington's favor, allowing Mills to slip down the board and represent a true steal at 120.

Round 5, Pick 158: Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida

Associated Press

Taylor is a perfect fit for Washington's rushing attack.

It's never easy to discern exactly why a natural football player finds himself low on the draft boards. Perhaps it's a lack of top-end speed or not standing out at the combine.

Both of those criticisms can be leveled at Florida running back Kelvin Taylor. But the ex-Gators backfield dynamo would still be a steal for the Redskins in Round 5.

The son of former Jacksonville Jaguars ace Fred Taylor, one of the more imaginative and graceful runners in NFL history, Taylor the younger has "never fumbled during time at Florida spanning 486 carries and 510 touches," per Lance Zierlein of the league's official site.

So much for concerns about Jones' ball security.

Just as important, Taylor has the change-of-pace qualities the Redskins would welcome as a complement to Jones' brute-force power.

One of the reasons a back who'll never win many sprints can still kick the pace up a gear is his speed of thought in the backfield. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler sums this up well:

"

Quick decisions as soon as he sees a sliver of daylight, finding the cutback lane. Sharp lateral cuts at the line of scrimmage with a quick accelerator to burst outside. Enough speed to get to the edge. Effort isn't a question, running with energy and toughness.

"

Taylor won't pass many eye tests in terms of physical requirements or game-breaking qualities. But he will consistently turn tough carries into solid gains, block willingly and catch passes with the minimum of fuss.

As value goes, McCloughan won't find much more than by plucking this gem of a back from the draft's lower reaches. He went to Florida last year to take Jones ahead of schedule, and McCloughan shouldn't pass up the chance to revisit the scene in 2016.

Round 6, Pick 187: Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford

Associated Press

Martinez is a potential steal for a Redskins defense needing help at ILB.

This may be a little late in the day to address inside linebacker, but don't forget the Redskins chose to retain both Will Compton and Mason Foster during free agency. The pair formed a very capable starting duo during the latter stages of last season.

Perry Riley Jr. is also still hanging around, while McCloughan added Terence Garvin off the veteran market.

It was also roughly at this stage in last year's draft when Washington's GM went inside 'backer, choosing Martrell Spaight just one round earlier. This year, McCloughan can claim a real sleeper late on in Stanford's Blake Martinez.

Less a classic bruiser and more a happy-footed seek-and-destroy linebacker, Martinez is quick and cerebral at the heart of the front seven. The 237-pounder's lanky 6'2" stature makes him a useful factor in intermediate coverage, an important consideration for a team facing tight ends the quality of Jason Witten and Zach Ertz twice a season.

Martinez's time at Palo Alto should be considered excellent training for life in a 3-4 system. While there's little spectacular about him, Martinez will rarely make a mistake and always do just what the game demands of him.

His early pro life screams special teams demon, but considering how former undrafted player Compton grafted his way into a starting role, Martinez's ultimate ceiling could be much higher.

Round 7, Pick 232: Darrell Greene, C/G, San Diego State

Associated Press

Greene is a hidden treasure in this year's draft class.

The interior of the offensive line could use some work. Well, it could at least use a few more big bodies. Enter 6'3", 321-pounder Darrell Greene.

He was a proverbial "dancing bear" in the MWC during 2015. Greene throws his mass around aggressively at the heart of the trenches, but don't be fooled into thinking he's static weight.

Greene can shift his feet and boasts a deceptively smooth slide move. Any blocker who combines size with fluid move skills should make scouts sit up and take notice, especially those who scout for a team still needing extra talent up front.

Things got ugly in the middle at times last season while starting left guard Shawn Lauvao and center of choice Kory Lichtensteiger were injured. But with those two key veterans returning to health, the Redskins can afford to leave it late before adding to the ranks.

The roster still contains Spencer Long, Josh LeRibeus and Arie Kouandjio, yet creating stronger competition for all three is a must.

Drafting Greene would do that, but it doesn't have to be the only move of this type McCloughan makes.

Round 7, Pick 242: Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M

Associated Press

Matthews has the lineage and versatility to make it in Washington.

Strong NFL bloodlines are again evident with Washington's final pick. Aggies interior mauler Mike Matthews is from the same family that gave the league Clay Matthews, both Jr. and III, Jake Matthews and Bruce Matthews, one of the all-time great O-linemen to ever buckle a chinstrap.

The latest Matthews making the jump to the pros doesn't boast elite size at 6'2" and 294 pounds, although he plays bigger than his frame. Thanks to his background, Matthews is well-schooled in pro-ready technique, as well as being versatile enough to play multiple spots along the front five.

Being a jack of all trades is essential for backup linemen in the NFL. It will be a valuable trait in Washington, where Matthews would figure to be the primary deputy to Lichtensteiger. But he'd also offer cover at both guard spots.

If Matthews made it through camp, he'd give the Redskins a lot of options regarding the other members of their line rotation, as well as allowing the team to carry a slimmer depth chart into the season.

Toughness and Hard Work Central to These Picks

Matt Hazlett/Getty Images

McCloughan must stick to the theme of last year's draft.

The general theme of this mock is a group of players short on style but long on substance. Each of these picks yields a versatile performer who would present extra options at key positions.

With half of the class coming from the SEC, McCloughan would be taking players well-versed at a high level of competition. He'd also be getting more than one prospect raised to play football, and self-motivators who don't need any extra incentive to work hard and improve their respective games.

Since he took over, McCloughan has been all about building a bigger, tougher team, a bully mean enough to collect six amounts of lunch money from the other members of the NFC East.

A draft haul of four trench warriors, two tough runners, a tackling-machine linebacker and a ball-hawking defensive back would make the defending division champs even meaner in 2016.