Mid-Round NFL Draft Targets Who Could Start in Year 1 for Washington Redskins

The rookie-wage scale in the NFL has placed an increased emphasis on teams to find starters in the draft. Without a first-round pick, the Washington Redskins can chalk up their 7-25 record the past two seasons to their inability to do just that. 

Of the eight players they've selected in the middle rounds (Rounds 3-5) of the past two drafts, only Bashaud Breeland and Jordan Reed can count themselves as rookies who started multiple games.

Looking toward the upcoming 2015 NFL draft, here are five mid-round prospects Washington can turn to and change this trend.

S Kurtis Drummond

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Washington's struggles on defense are well documented. It was 29th in points allowed and 24th in pass defense last season.

Firing Jim Haslett was a start, but you'd be naive to think swapping him out for defensive coordinator Joe Barry alone would fix this defense.

Evidenced by his stint with the winless 2008 Detroit Lions, Barry isn't going to turn around this defense without better personnel.

Enter Kurtis Drummond.

The former backup to current Redskin Trenton Robinson at Michigan State, Drummond patrolled the back end of one of college football's best defenses the past three seasons. Already sporting a resume that included first-team Big Ten honors, he became just the fifth safety in program history to be named a first-team All-American in 2014, according to the school's official website.

In his senior season, Drummond led the Spartans with 74 tackles, four interceptions and 15 passes defended. Capable of playing in the box as well, he led the team's secondary with five tackles for loss. 

Relaying what he'd heard from an NFL scout, Chase Goodbread of College Football 24/7 (h/t NFL.com) cited Drummond as one of the standouts in Senior Bowl practices. "Drummond quietly had an impressive week and showed strong instincts in tracking deeper passes," he said.

As Allen Iverson would say, though, we're talking about practice here. And for good reason.

Because of a hamstring injury, Drummond didn't actually play in the Senior Bowl. While it's been some time since he missed a game, 34 consecutive games to be exact, ESPN.com rates his durability as one of his weakest traits.

Still, with the Skins needing to move on from both Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather, Drummond is a prospect who could challenge for a starting job as a rookie.

S Jordan Richards

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Cast in the shadow of Ed Reynolds previously, Jordan Richards finally got his moment in the sun in 2014.

Behind three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 79 tackles, he was placed on the All-Pac-12 first team his senior season. A player who won't blow you away from a physical standpoint, Richards can attribute these accomplishments to the sound fundamentals he sports.

A participant in the East-West Shrine game, Richards was one of 10 prospects who impressed NFL.com's resident draft aficionado Mike Mayock in the contest.

Looking to his draft profile on ESPN.com, Richards is also lauded for his instincts and recognition skills. 

"Maintains quality spatial relationship when tasked with deep-half or center-field responsibilities. Keys quarterback eyes and flashes ability to anticipate throws," it reads.

Knowing that blown assignments were frequent occurrences in Washington's secondary because of deficiencies in this department, Richards shouldn't be overlooked as a potential starter should he land in Washington.

G Josue Matias

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After allowing 58 sacks in 2014, Washington is going to be name-dropped as a potential landing spot for the top offensive linemen in free agency. With owner Daniel Snyder's history, you can count on that. 

While it didn't necessarily work last offseason with the selection of Morgan Moses and Spencer Long, don't rule out the draft as an avenue for the team to find a new starter up front, though. 

The 2015 NFL draft may lack elite offensive lineman at the top, but this class is relatively deep.

Case in point, Josue Matias. A three-year starter at Florida State, Matias brings the pass-blocking skills of a tackle to the guard spot. Compared to James Carpenter by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, Matias brings to the table the size that head coach Jay Gruden has clamored for up front since being hired.

He's a work in progress as a run-blocker because of poor technique, but under the stewardship of new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, Matias could emerge as a starter by the end of his rookie season.

DT David Parry

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Already undersized for his position, Barry Cofield's 2015 cap charge of $7.6 million, via Spotrac.com, could spell the end of his time in Washington.

Needing depth up front regardless if he stays or goes, it'd be wise for the Skins to take a flier on David Parry in the draft.

The anchor in Stanford's 3-4 front, Parry consistently commanded a double-team and in turn freed up his linebackers to make plays. One of the risers in the East-West Shrine Game, Parry drew praise from DraftInsiders.net's Tony Pauline (h/t PhiladelphiaEagles.com):

"

Parry, listed as 6-2, 305, is not a lineman who will pass the eyeball test as he's smaller than one would expect. Fact is he played big today and was unstoppable despite his lack of classic measurables. Built low to the ground, he gets leverage on opponents and then showcased a variety of hand moves to get around blocks. He beat almost every opponent he faced in one-on-one drills and left a positive impression on teams.

"

Conditioning is a problem for Parry. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted that he only played 49 percent of the snaps in 2014. Still, with Parry capable of playing in both odd and even fronts—remember, Barry has experience coaching both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses—at worst, he should carve out a role as a rotational player in Washington.

LB Stephone Anthony

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At linebacker for Washington, there's Ryan Kerrigan and Keenan Robinson, and then everybody else. Brian Orakpo was again lost for the season and Perry Riley Jr. continued to showcase his limitations in coverage.

With Trent Murphy and the No. 5 pick in the draft, though, we're not looking for Orakpo's replacement here, but Riley's. Injuries played a role, but Riley's 92 tackles were his lowest total in three years.

Needing to bolster the inside linebacker spot, Stephone Anthony should be in play for the Redskins. A participant in the Senior Bowl, Anthony drew praise from ESPN.com's Todd McShay. 

"Anthony displayed very good awareness and closing burst and excellent range for a linebacker his size (6-2, 245 pounds)," he said.

An All-ACC performer, he registered a team-high 90 tackles his senior year at Clemson. Furthermore, unlike Riley, Anthony displayed the ability to pitch in on obvious passing downs. This was a sentiment NFL.com's Lance Zierlein touched on in his scouting report.

"Able to cover tight ends in passing game. Breaks to ball quickly against pass. Flashes ball skills and will play through pass-catchers. Features traits to be a more effective blitzer if called upon," Zierlein said.

His technique and recognition skills need work, but Anthony could find himself lining up next to Robinson by season's end.