Washington Redskins Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan had a clear plan for the 2016 NFL draft, a plan he didn't deviate from even when it meant picking players who didn't meet immediate needs on the roster.

McCloughan proved his fidelity to his board by selecting wide receiver Josh Doctson, sub-package rover Su'a Cravens and cornerback Kendall Fuller with his first three picks.

Sure, finding some blue-chip talent for a weak defensive line seemed a more pressing need. But McCloughan still found good players to add to positions facing uncertain futures.

It's a theme he followed on Day 3 when he wrapped things up with a quarterback who needs to be developed, a run-thumping middle linebacker and a rotational running back. Washington's GM even finally made room for that defensive tackle.

Throw in some trades to net a trio of extra picks for 2017's draft, and McCloughan's strategy this year becomes clear. He's had one eye fixed firmly on the future this weekend in the Windy City.

Read on for grades and analysis of every pick and trade McCloughan and the Redskins made in this year's draft.

Pick Tracker

Sitting at No. 21 means McCloughan will have many options to bolster talent along a porous D-line. Prospects such as Alabama tackles Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson, along with Baylor's monster in the middle, Andrew Billings (6'1", 311 lbs), should all still be on the board as the first round enters its final 10 picks.

But don't rule out McCloughan still pursuing a trade. Scout.com Breaking Burgundy analyst Ben Standig examined possible trade scenarios.

He named the Denver Broncos at the end of Round 1 and the AFC North's Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens at the top of the second as potential trade partners.

Standig also sees Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch and Ole Miss wideout Laquon Treadwell as the targets teams will look to move up to acquire. McCloughan previously said he'd like as many as 12 picks this year, according to Andrew Walker of the team's official site.

Regardless of whether he moves, the primary needs McCloughan should focus on won't change. So still expect prospects at D-line, safety, running back, inside linebacker and wide receiver to hear their names called whenever Washington finally makes its picks.

Washington Trades Out of No. 21

Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

McCloughan got the extra picks he wanted by dealing out of the 21st pick.

McCloughan made his trade, although he only moved one spot, swapping the 21st pick for the Houston Texans' 22nd overall choice. The Redskins also got a sixth-round pick in 2017, according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.

Picking up an extra pick next year does little for McCloughan's desire to accrue extra picks in 2017 unless he chooses to use the additional sixth-rounder as a makeweight in a deal this weekend.

It's unusual to see a team trade for just one spot.

Still, moving down one spot still puts Washington in place to add a quality D-tackle. Many of the main options, including the big three—Reed, Robinson and Billings—are still on the board.

Grade: C

Round 1, Pick 22: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Kirk Cousins has a new weapon in Washington.

Well, McCloughan's trade one spot back was soon explained by the decision to take TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson with his first-round pick. The Texans were obviously worried the receiver-hungry Redskins might have taken their pass-catcher of choice (Will Fuller).

But McCloughan's decision to pass on defensive line help here is a little tougher to decipher.

He has essentially added to what's already a loaded position group, albeit one with some question marks in terms of the futures of certain incumbents.

Specifically, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are both free agents next year. Yet, the prolific pair are still around for this season, along with Andre Roberts, Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant and Rashad Ross.

Those are a lot of cooks in the kitchen.

But scratch a little beneath the surface, and you might find the apparent strength of this rotation is a little deceptive. Jackson has had issues staying healthy, and Garcon will be 30 by the time this season begins.

Roberts has had trouble catching the ball, while Grant hasn't delivered on his steal potential as a fifth-rounder in 2014.

So what have the Redskins got in Doctson? To begin with, they've got a sneaky quick playmaker with excellent hands.

He's a tenacious radar for the football whom Jon Ledyard of USA Today's DraftWire called "an elite jump-ball threat who can win above the rim with incredible consistency."

More praise comes from B/R's Mike Tanier, though he added a note of caution about a roving target who passes all the eye tests between the hashmarks: "Doctson's tape makes him look like the ultimate receiving rock star, but Big 12 games look so much like video games that you have to adjust for the loosey-goosey defenses and the 55-52 final scores."

What Doctson will bring that's different is his size. At 6'2" and 202 pounds, he's already the second-tallest wideout on the roster. Those dimensions will give Cousins another big-ball target to go along with Jackson. They'll also make Doctson an asset for head coach Jay Gruden's West Coast-style pass routes.

If you're looking for brass tacks, consider Doctson's awesome production during his final year on campus. He helped himself to 79 catches and scored 14 touchdowns, per cfbstats.com.

This is a pick that commits to the strength of Washington's team, namely its offense. It's also a massive show of faith in Cousins to replicate last season's impressive numbers. He'll have few excuses if he can't with this many weapons at his disposal.

But while a receiver is welcome, this feels a round or two early to have addressed the position, especially when the front seven has so many holes.

This grade will look tough if McCloughan still fixes the trenches on that side of the ball by taking one of the top D-tackles sure to still be on the board on Day 2.

It'll look generous for a luxury pick if he doesn't.

Grade: C+

Round 2, Pick 53: Su'a Cravens S/OLB

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Cravens gives Washington a matchup-type piece at the second level.

If you had to guess, you would assume McCloughan hasn't wasted time finding his new safety. How else do you explain drafting USC's Su'a Cravens 53rd overall, a lightweight linebacker who projects to the defensive backfield in the pros?

Similar to taking Doctson one round earlier, this is a head-scratcher initially. But on closer inspection there's a lot to like about this bold pick.

At 226 pounds, Cravens is too light to play outside or inside in the 3-4 base, but he'll give defensive coordinator Joe Barry a ton of sub-package options.

He screams dime linebacker in a six-defensive back look, a sentiment the player himself endorsed, per Scout.com's Ben Standig. If it's nickel, think big nickel with three safeties on the field, with Cravens likely to patrol at the linebacker level of that scheme.

When turning your attention to matchups, consider the class of tight ends in the NFC East, particularly Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys and Zach Ertz of the Philadelphia Eagles. Barry also needs to find a way to combat jet-heeled pass-catching running backs like Darren Sproles (Eagles) and Shane Vereen of the New York Giants.

Cravens' 'tweener qualities will give him the inside track to cover these players in space. He can quickly adopt the role played so well by last year's sixth-round pick, Kyshoen Jarrett.

Jarrett was invaluable in the sub-package fronts last season. Think of how he frustrated Rob Gronkowski in man coverage when the Redskins unleashed a 3-8 front on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Sadly, Jarrett's participation for the 2016 season is far from certain, as he deals with nerve damage in his shoulder. Gruden has already cast doubt on whether the versatile DB will be ready to go, per Breaking Burgundy's Neil Dalal.

Enter Cravens, who may have no definite position but certainly has a nose for the football, as statistics from Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post support.

If there's an obvious reason to be dubious about this pick it's the offseason signing of David Bruton Jr., another linebacker-style safety with the flexibility to roam in nickel and dime sets.

But as a former backup with the Denver Broncos, Bruton screams stop-gap. Cravens will be a little more permanent.

Grade: B+

Round 3, Pick 84: Kendall Fuller, DB, Virginia Tech

The Redskins still haven't plugged the Terrance Knighton-shaped hole at the heart of their defensive line. But the reigning NFC East champs still found a good player in the form of Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller.

Another ultra-versatile defensive back, this is a player comfortable at cornerback or free safety. Fuller can lock up receivers down in the box as a slot cover man. He can also marshal the boundary and keep pace along the sidelines.

Fuller is a corner who likes to roll up on his receivers at the line but still keep his eyes in the backfield. He just loves tempting overconfident quarterbacks into chancing their arms on out routes.

Although an opportunist streak can make some nervous, it's welcome in Fuller, whose game is all about aggression. But his tenacity is matched by an innate feel and understanding for the game thanks to strong bloodlines. He's one of four Fuller brothers to make it to the pros, according to Lance Zierlein of the league's official site.

His path has been a little more challenging due to a lengthy injury history. A fractured wrist and a torn meniscus in his right knee were among his main issues, per Zierlein.

The latter undoubtedly hampered his draft stock somewhat. But as Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch points out, the Redskins, specifically team doctor James Andrews, have done their due diligence.

Fuller has already indicated he's unsure when he can get started but will lean on Andrews' advice regarding his knee, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

It's not just the injuries that raise questions about this pick, though. Washington's cornerback rotation already looked crowded after McCloughan signed both Josh Norman and Greg Toler in free agency.

Granted, Washington's GM did state how signing Norman didn't rule out drafting a corner, per CSNMid-Atlantic.com's Rich Tandler. But even so, there's still Bashaud Breeland, Chris Culliver and Quinton Dunbar to factor in.

What this pick probably does mean is that DeAngelo Hall and Will Blackmon's immediate futures belong at free safety. It's an experiment that needs to work.

Fuller is a solid player, and this is a steady pick. But his injury concerns and the questions about his initial fit, along with ignoring D-line talent for another round, mean it gets a bland grade.

Grade: C

Washington Trades with New Orleans Saints for Extra Fifth-Rounder

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

McCloughan added another pick to next year's haul.

McCloughan isn't picking up any extra picks this year, but 2017's haul is already looking bountiful. Washington's GM traded out of the fourth round and earned an extra pick in the fifth after dealing the 120th selection to the New Orleans Saints.

The NFC South club also sent their fifth-round choice next year to the Redskins, per the Burgundy and Gold's official site. Got it? Good.

It's one more move that makes it clear McCloughan isn't bowled over by many prospects in this class. But he does at least seem determined to keep an eye on the future.

Yet, while looking ahead to next year is fine, there's still the not-so small business of refining a team for the 2016 season. It's tough to sell the idea the Redskins have done that this weekend, when they've ignored primary needs and simply stockpiled picks for another draft.

Grade: C-

Round 5, Pick 152: Matthew Ioannidis, DL, Temple

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Ioannidis became the unlikely new recruit to Washington's rebuilding D-line.

Well, that took long enough, but the Redskins finally addressed defensive line. Temple's Matthew Ioannidis became the unlikely trench warrior of choice.

It's not easy classifying exactly what Washington line coach Robb Akey will do with his new toy. Ioannidis' attributes are obvious as a high-effort interior hustler with power loaded into his thick arms and bulky upper torso.

But like many still on the board at this point, he's not the most dynamic athlete. Ioannidis isn't going to explode into the backfield or make himself a familiar face on weekly highlight reels.

But what he will offer is a rugged determination backed up by sound technique, particularly his clever hand usage. Those attributes were on display throughout the Senior Bowl, according to Josh Sanchez of Campussports.net: "For Ioannidis, one-on-ones have been his time to shine. The Owls defensive standout has been disruptive on every day of practice against an impressive group of offensive linemen."

The question is how can Washington make the most of Ioannidis' best qualities? Will the 6'3", 299-pounder shift inside and play over center where his leverage, solidity and hand moves are sure to make him a nuisance in the middle? Alternatively, he may fit best as a 5-technique on the edge, where this block of muscle can keep blockers off edge-rushers.

He doesn't have the wow factor of many of the prospects at one of the deepest positions in this draft. But Ioannidis boasts the toughness McCloughan loves and finally helps address this team's primary need.

Grade: B

Trade: Yet Another Pick Added for 2017

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Washington traded again, this time with the New York Jets.

So much for this being a deep draft in class, at least in McCloughan's mind. Or to put it more clearly, Washington's GM obviously believes quantity doesn't always imply quality.

There's no other way to explain a third trade netting a third extra pick for the 2017 NFL draft. The Redskins dealt their original fifth-round choice, pick No. 158, to the New York Jets in exchange for a fourth-rounder next year, per CSNMidAtlantic.com's Rich Tandler.

To keep track, that's an extra fourth, fifth and sixth available in 2017. It's also another reminder McCloughan isn't enamoured with what's left on this board.

Still, its' tough to hate a GM who loves building through the draft stockpiling picks. In fairness, McCloughan did earn solid value in this deal.

Things may just feel a little hollow when this particular draft class is in the books for Washington.

Grade: C

Round 6, Pick 187: Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana

Jay Gruden wanted a quarterback to develop, and now he has one after McCloughan used his sixth-round pick on towering former Indiana passer Nate Sudfeld.

A prototype at the position, the 6'6" signal-caller put up some impressive numbers during his final season as a Hoosier, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

What Sudfeld also does is tick the boxes for what Gruden looks for at the position. Specifically, he operates best from the pocket, boasts a strong arm and is sharp enough to read defenses, both pre- and post-snap.

Having Cousins under the tag, and with journeyman Colt McCoy as the next man up, the Redskins had to go quarterback at some point.

Sudfeld will need to refine his mechanics, particularly his footwork and throwing motion on the deep ball. But he'll be working with a staff expert at honing young passers.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick 232: Steven Daniels, ILB, Boston College

Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Daniels joins a position needing greater depth.

The Redskins entered this draft needing an inside linebacker. If that 'backer was a bulky thumper in the middle, adept at stuffing the run, all the better.

That's why it's easy to love the decision to take Boston College bruiser Steven Daniels 232nd overall. He'll never pass the eye test of the modern, ultra-athletic inside linebacker. You wouldn't want to put him in space, but few players will bring the wham to the guard-center-guard box as enthusiastically as Daniels.

As a player carrying a hefty 243-pound frame on a 5'11" body, Daniels doesn't look like he can win many footraces going sideline-to-sideline. But whatever physical limitations appear obvious at first glance, just don't show up on the field, where Daniels has a true nose for the football, evidenced by an impressive 2015 stat line provided by the Washington Post's Master Tesfatsion.

The rotation was lacking a true downhill, attacking middle linebacker among Perry Riley Jr., Mason Foster and Will Compton. So McCloughan deserves some props for snagging one late on.

Grade: A

Round 7, Pick 242: Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Marshall will bid to add depth at a threadbare RB rotation.

It took a while, all the way until the last pick in fact, but McCloughan finally added a running back. He chose Georgia's Keith Marshall, a swift zone-style runner who has the chance to stick at a rotation with a ton of question marks headed into the 2016 season.

Matt Jones is the lead workhorse, but he better not be counting on much support as things stand. Not when Chris Thompson is coming back from shoulder surgery and Silas Redd is suspended.

Marshall is a fascinating pick in this context. As a downhill grinder, he looks like a back who is brought in to compete for carries on the team's primary rushing calls. He certainly doesn't boast the receiving chops to be on the field for football's "money down."

What he might offer, though, is a pure speed complement to Jones' power. SINow's Eric Single revealed how Marshall set the pace in the 40 at the combine.

An intriguing combination of speed and power would have seen Marshall go a lot higher had it not been for an injury history that includes a torn ACL suffered in 2013.

With the right teaching, particularly when it comes to identifying and attacking cutback creases with authority, Marshall can hopefully use his natural athletic gifts to add some dynamism to Washington's ground game.

Grade: B