Washington Redskins: Full 2016 Draft Guide and Preview
The Washington Redskins will enter the 2016 NFL draft with eight opportunities to further bolster a roster good enough to rule the NFC East last season.
But general manager Scot McCloughan would dearly love to add a few more picks. In fact, he may already be drumming up interest, something that could draw a response from two teams perhaps keen on a deal.
Regardless of how many selections McCloughan gets to make in Chicago starting this Thursday, his task will be clear: He must improve the talent along the defensive line, at inside linebacker and at safety, as well as find new weapons at running back and wide receiver. Chuck in a capable interior offensive lineman or two, and McCloughan will score major plus points with the Washington faithful.
But before he can engineer a second straight sensible draft haul, McCloughan must finish running the rule over the prospects who can answer his team's biggest needs.
Read on to find out which players you need to know, along with the rumours gathering steam as the big day gets closer.
Draft Picks
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Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 21
Round 2, Pick 22 (53)
Round 3, Pick 21 (84)
Round 4, Pick 22 (120)
Round 5, Pick 21 (158)
Round 6, Pick 12 (187)
Round 7, Pick 11 (232)
Round 7, Pick 21 (242)
What to Know
McCloughan has established a pattern of building from the trenches up. He did it last year when he wisely took Brandon Scherff, the best O-lineman in the class, with the fifth overall pick.
Although not every one of his road-graders have worked out, McCloughan drafted 13 linemen, including some edge-rushers, during the four drafts he oversaw for the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-09, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Add that to the four trench warriors he grabbed last term—Scherff, Preston Smith, Arie Kouandjio and Austin Reiter—and it's clear McCloughan rarely overlooks quality prospects for these positions.
That's good news since this draft class is loaded with talented interior linemen, particularly on defense.
NFLDraftScout.com's Frank Cooney broke down the depth and quality of this group for CBS Sports. Cooney highlighted prospects such as Alabama's A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, both of whom have been sent to Washington in various mock drafts.
But McCloughan wants to give himself more options over the three days' worth of selections. Actually, Washington's GM has indicated he'd like as many as 12 picks, per Andrew Walker of the team's official site.
Top Needs
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These are Washington's five most pressing needs with draft day looming:
Defensive Tackle
Terrance Knighton left town along with Jason Hatcher and Frank Kearse. Sure, Kedric Golston, Ricky Jean-Francois and Chris Baker are still around, and McCloughan even signed free-agents Kendall Reyes and Ziggy Hood.
But there's a distinct lack of star power among this group.
Fortunately, 2016's draft class is fit to burst with budding stars at the D-tackle position. Ideally, McCloughan needs a behemoth who will act as the linchpin for a much-improved run defense following last season's 26th overall ranking.
If that player can play 5-technique end, also slide over center in the team's 3-4 front and provide pressure from four-man alignments, all the better.
Inside Linebacker
The Keenan Robinson experiment didn't last long, while trusting Perry Riley Jr. went well beyond its shelf life. So Washington ended last season with Will Compton and Mason Foster manning the heart of the linebacker corps.
Compton is an easy player to like thanks to his willingness to improve and do-what-it-takes temperament. Meanwhile, Foster is more talented than his stat sheet often indicates.
Still though, there isn't much of a wow factor at what is a key position. The Redskins don't have a brutal run-stuffer, exceptional blitz man or even a trustworthy coverage guy in the middle.
This draft offers relatively slim pickings in terms of top-tier inside 'backers, but there are still a handful of interesting prospects for McCloughan to consider.
Teams in the NFL's modern age love to pretend run-stuffing linemen and two-down linebackers are prehistoric creatures, but it's foolish. A soft middle cost Washington many times last season, ultimately bringing a thrilling campaign to a premature finish.
Running Back
Alfred Morris is now suiting up for the old enemy, while Chris Thompson is coming off shoulder surgery, Silas Redd is suspended indefinitely and the team mistakenly banished Darrel Young to the open market.
It's all on Matt Jones, a promising third-round pick last year whose rookie campaign was still blighted by fumbling problems and injury.
Even if you accept it's a pass-first league, there's no way Washington can expect to really thrive without the balance offered by a steady diet of running. So it's incumbent on McCloughan coming out of this draft with at least one ball-carrier capable of contributing immediately.
Safety
If you're less than impressed with the bland rotations at D-tackle and middle linebacker, prepare to be put to sleep by the team's current depth chart at safety.
Duke Ihenacho, David Bruton Jr. and Kyshoen Jarrett can play strong safety, while converted cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Will Blackmon look set for reps at the other spot.
In this context, it's no wonder West Virginia's Karl Joseph's name is appearing in more mock drafts at No. 21, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan.
Center
It's easier to consider the entire interior offensive line as needing work, at least in terms of adding greater depth. But center stands out as the position of primary focus because of Kory Lichtensteiger's injury last season and the problems his absence caused.
In fairness, Lichtensteiger's deputies were hardly helped by tough left guard Shawn Lauvao also being consigned to the shelf. Yet even with both veterans returning to fitness, many would feel better if McCloughan looked for some new blood on the inside.
Fortunately, this draft is home to some very intriguing prospects, including Alabama's anchorman in Ryan Kelly and versatile Notre Dame mauler Nick Martin.
Adding talent at each of these positions shouldn't be beyond McCloughan, regardless of whether he stands pat on eight picks or adds a few more.
There are plenty of obvious targets to plug these particular gaps.
Top Targets
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Here are the top two targets for McCloughan to consider for Washington's primary areas of need:
Defensive Tackle
Jarran Reed, Alabama
Reed is the most natural fit for what the Redskins need up front. He's a beefy space-eater who's never better than when he's absorbing double-teams and keeping linebackers clean to chase down running backs.
What makes predraft prognosticators nervous about the 6'3", 311-pounder are his perceived limitations against the pass. Reed is viewed by many, including Rich Tandler of Real Redskins, as a "one-dimensional" run defender.
But while he's far from flashy, Reed is well-schooled in classic line technique. He knows how to use his hands to lock up and disengage blockers, his feet to slide, shift, get low and put his powerful frame where it can do the most damage.
Throw in the ability to play end, shaded tackle and 0-technique over the center, and Washington would get a player you'd create in a lab if you're looking for the perfect 3-4 lineman.
A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
If McCloughan and the Redskins are really concerned Reed will block out the sun but do little else, they might be tempted by his teammate in A'Shawn Robinson.
A taller, more overtly destructive tackle, the 6'4", 307-pounder offers greater upside than Reed as a playmaker who will show up more often on the stat sheet. B/R's Mike Tanier said it best when he sent Robinson to Washington at No. 21 in his recent mock predictions: "He’s a block of concrete on wheels on the interior defensive line."
Yet despite that enthralling description, Robinson is a little too sloppy with his technique to measure up more favorably than Reed. The former sometimes plays too tall, losing valuable leverage in the meat grinder.
In truth, though, one minor coaching point wouldn't really put a damper on things if Washington made Robinson its primary pick.
Inside Linebacker
Reggie Ragland, Alabama
OK, so things are Crimson Tide-heavy so far. But choosing from a defense stingy enough to spearhead a march to the national title is not a bad thing.
Often times, the tip of the spear was Reggie Ragland. 'Bama's brains and brawn at the heart of the front seven rarely makes a mistake.
In terms of style, he's purely a downhill player. But that description still incorporates seeking and destroying running backs and wrecking pass protection with expertly timed blitzing.
Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Brothers doesn't boast the same pedigree as Ragland, but he's still an active presence in the middle. The former Mizzou standout can be a thumper, but there's also a cerebral side to his game, evidenced by the ability to call signals and read and react while rarely guessing wrong.
Last season proved a productive one for Brothers, as he logged 152 total tackles in the FBS, per cfbstats.com. While some of those tackles occurred longer into plays than you'd like, Brothers proved he's always around the ball and has a playmaking flair displayed by two interceptions, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and three blocked kicks.
Running Back
Jordan Howard, Indiana
As willing to run over a would-be tackler as he is to run around one, Jordan Howard possesses the combination of raw upper-body strength and intelligent feet that all pro-level runners need.
He's a ready-made workhorse who would immediately push Jones for carries. How many touches he'd take away from No. 31 would depend on his staying healthy. Howard didn't always manage that during his final year with the Hoosiers, according to CBS Sports' Rob Rang.
But at peak fitness, this shifty yet bruising 230-pounder will be an asset to any NFL backfield.
C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Built a little more wiry than Howard, despite packing 220-pounds onto his frame, C.J. Prosise represents excellent value for Washington. There are few more determined runners in this draft class.
At first glance, there doesn't appear to be a great deal to boast about his game, but Prosise stands out because of his policy of getting the most out of every play. Never shy after first contact, he's a swift chain-mover whose background as a wide receiver also makes him useful as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Safety
Karl Joseph, West Virginia
Joseph has the traits to land at either safety spot for a Redskins defense desperately in need of help at the position.
He can handle single-high coverage responsibilities thanks to impressive range but also packs a wallop as a tackler. He's a true ball hawk, having snatched five interceptions from just four games during an injury-interrupted 2015 campaign with the Mountaineers.
That knack for finding the football is no doubt why draft scribes such as CSN Mid-Atlantic's Ben Standig believe Joseph is perfect for Washington. The only drawback concerns the ACL injury which wrecked his final collegiate year back in October.
Joseph is a risk, but given how long the Redskins have suffered through poor safety play, he may be one worth taking.
Keanu Neal, Florida
Neal is a big hitter who fits well with what most teams expect from their safeties in today's game. Like Joseph, he can play either spot and isn't cowed by any coverage assignment, nor by the demands of stepping into the box to stuff the run.
What his game lacks is refinement. Neal would be a project for Redskins secondary coach Perry Fewell, who would need to teach him some patience in coverage, particularly in deep areas where it would be important to simply concentrate on keeping things in front of him rather than pursuing glory.
But with some savvy coaching, Neal has the makings of a dynamic, well-rounded pro safety.
Center
Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Ryan Kelly is the prototypical guy who saves his best for the field. His dimensions won't wow you, but once the whistle sounds, Kelly does everything he's supposed to do.
While Alabama's pivot man is never going to maul a D-tackle to the floor and leave his impression in the dirt, he's skilled and smart enough to keep rushers at bay. When it comes to knocking open holes for the run, Kelly's technique wins no matter what the play call demands.
Lance Zierlein, draft analyst for the league's official site, summed up Kelly's game well with a description sure to appeal to McCloughan:
"Tenacious leader and three-year starter for highly successful Alabama program that puts a heavy emphasis on physical and mental toughness. Kelly might not be a combine warrior, but when the pads are strapped, he plays with enough strength and athleticism to thrive in both gap and zone running schemes.
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Washington's GM loves players who thrive in the rigorous SEC. He's also rarely been swayed by combine warriors.
Kelly's career habit of saving his best for the minutes that matter has surely brought his name into focus for the Redskins ahead of Thursday night.
Nick Martin, Notre Dame
Nick Martin looks every inch a pro-ready interior O-lineman. Martin is one of those blockers whose core talents extend to a variety of roles.
He can operate both over the ball and at either guard spot, making him invaluable for any team needing help in the middle. What he needs is a teacher who will find his best spot and trust him to develop at a quick pace.
Bill Callahan, Washington's resident line guru, would be the ideal sensei to guide this tough and resourceful and scrapper.
Coming out of this draft with any of these players would represent a major win for Washington. McCloughan would have tailored his improving roster with a prospect talented enough to start from day one and instantly upgrade a suspect position.
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The Latest Rumours
4 of 5McCloughan Potentially Courting a Trade Out of Round 1
ESPN's Britt McHenry has revealed the Redskins may be tempted by trading out of the first round. The franchise wants to use interest in Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch to drum up a deal.
It's credible to believe this kind of trade could happen. Charlie Campbell of Walter Football thinks the Denver Broncos, holders of the final choice in Round 1, along with the Cleveland Browns, owners of the top selection on Day 2, could be drawn into the Lynch sweepstakes.
But Campbell doesn't think any deal will be ratified "in advance of the draft."
Still, this is something McCloughan would surely be tempted by. There are ample players likely to hear their names called on the second day who could meet his needs, including Penn State nose tackle Austin Johnson.
McCloughan's already indicated he'd love to load up with extra picks. This looks like his best way to make it happen.
But NFL Network's Ian Rapoport isn't as sure there are any teams left still willing to trade out of the opening round.
Josh Norman Makes DL Likely in 1st Round
Former Redskins general manager and current NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly believes the recent acquisition of shutdown cornerback Josh Norman will narrow McCloughan's scope in Round 1.
In fact, Casserly thinks Norman's arrival makes it more likely Washington targets D-line help with its primary pick. It's a view that makes perfect sense.
Norman is joining a rotation already home to Chris Culliver, Bashaud Breeland, Will Blackmon, Quinton Dunbar and fellow new arrival Greg Toler. So scratch corner off the list as a primary need for one of McCloughan's prime selections, if he targets the position at all in the Windy City.
But the line rotation didn't get a Norman. This group still needs a premier talent, the kind of talent this year's defensive tackle crop is loaded with.
Washington Keen on Michael Thomas
One of the main predraft rumours involving Washington is detailed in the video above where B/R's Jason Cole details how the team views Ohio State's Michael Thomas as the "top" receiver in this class.
Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo has also stated Washington's keenness on the ex-Buckeyes playmaker.
Cole's notion that the Redskins are wowed by Thomas' red-zone potential is intriguing. Of the team's wideouts, DeSean Jackson is at his best as a vertical threat, yet five of Pierre Garcon's six touchdown grabs in 2015 came inside the red zone. Dynamic tight end Jordan Reed is also a major threat on the business side of the 20.
Of course, both Jackson and Garcon are free agents in 2017, and McCloughan could already be thinking about a replacement for one. The 6'3", 212-pounder would fit best as a successor for Garcon, the team's franchise single-season receptions record holder.
Jay Gruden Wants to Draft A QB
Washington's head coach would like to end this draft having taken a quarterback. Jay Gruden is looking for a signal-caller he can develop, according to CSN Mid-Atlantic's Tarik El-Bashir: “You can never have too many good arms in the building and you want a young guy that can develop through the system. It can be a college free agent. It would be nice to draft a guy but you know, we’ll see.”
Whether there's any connection or not, Rapoport appears to have added weight to this idea by reporting Penn State passer Christian Hackenberg had a meeting with the team.
One look at the roster will tell you the Redskins are risking travelling light at football's signature position. Only starter Kirk Cousins and veteran deputy Colt McCoy remain on the books after the team finally pointed arch draft flop Robert Griffin III toward the exit.
While it's not essential to have someone carrying the clipboard, fans may rest easier if there's an in-case-of-emergency arm available in the new season.
7-Round Mock Draft
5 of 5Here's how the draft may fall for Washington, sans trades at this point:
Round 1, Pick 21: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Regardless if it's Reed or if it's Robinson, McCloughan will get an immediate solution to his team's problems stopping the run. For the sake of variety, let's go with Robinson in this mock.
He'd probably work better as a shaded tackle in defensive coordinator Joe Barry's one-gap 3-4 front. Robinson would line up on the outside shoulder of a guard and be positioned to split two blockers or at least engage and maintain a double-team.
As the unwitting help from division rivals in the Philadelphia Eagles shows above, Robinson is a force who is tough to move in the trenches. Like his teammate, he'll never make his crust crushing quarterbacks, but that's not what he'll be needed for in Washington.
Round 2, Pick 53: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt
Tyler Boyd doesn't have the imposing size of Thomas, but he compensates with a natural flair for making plays from anywhere on the field. He's a multilayered weapon who can start a play hugging the sideline, flexed into to the slot or even split in the backfield.
In a way, he's reminiscent of Pittsburgh Steelers ace Antonio Brown, in the sense that Boyd only comes alive with the ball in his hands. Once he reels it in, Boyd makes a play with light feet, joystick moves and sudden speed.
What you should really love about Boyd is his production. Even with a diverse and demanding remit, the 6'2", 200-pounder still got his mitts on 91 passes in 2015. He also rushed the ball 40 times and even averaged 23.36 yards returning kickoffs, per cfbstats.com.
Sure, this may be too early for a wideout, but the uncertainty at the position can either be addressed when the Redskins are strengthened by knowing Jackson and Garcon will be here in 2016 or when McCloughan is desperate.
Round 3, Pick 84: C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
McCloughan can grab a speed complement to Jones' battering-ram style. He'd also be getting a terrific pair of hands out of the backfield.
Putting Prosise's flexibility next to Jones' brawn and enthusiasm in the backfield would give Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay a ton of extra options for the playbook.
Round 4, Pick 120: DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
The Redskins need a safety, and getting one capable in a specific coverage scheme, as well as a hitter, would represent excellent value in the fourth round.
Houston-Carson is an astute zone defender who rarely takes the wrong depth or passes off his man before he should. You wouldn't want to see the former William & Mary product in many vertical footraces, but Houston-Carson can be trusted when he drops down to the intermediate level.
He's also no slouch in run support, either. Again, you may not be best advised setting your run force his way, but Houston-Carson doesn't let many players escape first contact.
Round 5, Pick 158: Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
A shifty grafter who can work the tackle box and also bounce deftly to the perimeter, Kelvin Taylor runs like a pro should. His motion is natural, and he rarely fails to get the most out of every carry.
Taylor is also a useful receiver, and he doesn't fumble. Literally.
McCloughan won't find a better rotational runner than Jones' old teammate.
Round 6, Pick 187: Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford
Smart, steady and physical. The essential requirements for any competent middle linebacker expected to cut it in the pros, and the perfect summary of Blake Martinez.
He wouldn't be a candidate to start right away, but Martinez would make a quick mark on special teams. He'd also provide very strong competition for the incumbents in Barry's linebacker platoon.
Round 7, Pick 232: Elijah Shumate, SS, Notre Dame
Elijah Shumate was a regular on some pretty good Notre Dame defenses. He got on the field mostly thanks to his appetite for stepping up into the box and jolting running backs and short-range receivers out of their cleats.
But this is also a smart player who knows his limitations and won't put himself in a position to be exposed. Not surprisingly, the stocky hammer-blow tackler can relax when he's part of a safe zone shell.
That needn't be a problem for a Redskins team whose 3-4 defense is still married to a Cover 3 mandate.
Shumate would push for time at a position seemingly always in need of a few more talented bodies. He'd also make his presence felt in football's third phase.
Round 7, Pick 242: Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
A blocker whose bloodlines link him directly to a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, Mike Matthews is well worth a flutter with McCloughan's ostensible final pick.
Factor in his versatility to line up over the ball or at guard, and Washington would get excellent cover at a rotation that currently looks less than inspiring.
This draft class isn't loaded with blue-chip candidates, but it's strong at the points Washington's roster is weakest. So McCloughan should end the month having fixed every problem.
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