Redskins: Boom-or-Bust Prospects Washington Should Gamble on in NFL Draft

Whether you point to Robert Griffin III, LaRon Landry, Chris Samuels or LaVar Arrington, the Washington Redskins have drafted their share of boom-or-bust prospects in the NFL draft.

Judging from the team's three playoff appearances over the past decade, the prospects the Skins have drafted of late have been more inclined to fall on the bust side. 

Thankfully, though, a new man, general manager Scot McCloughan, has been brought in to reverse this trend. Formerly the architect of the San Francisco 49ers, he's unearthed gems both early and late in the draft in the past.

Looking ahead to the 2015 NFL draft, let's examine some boom-or-bust prospects he should consider selecting to help rebuild Washington.

OT Cedric Ogbuehi

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Viewed as a surefire first-round pick in 2014, Cedric Ogbuehi currently finds himself being slotted to go in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft by CBSSports.com.

What happened, right?

Well, for starters, he's hurt. Ogbuehi suffered a torn ACL in Texas A&M's bowl game. Prior to that, though, he had a rough senior season.

Following in the footsteps of Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, Ogbuehi made the transition from right to left tackle. But instead of propelling himself up draft boards, the move caused his stock to take a hit. 

Matching up with the SEC's best pass-rushers, Ogbuehi's limitations in pass protection were exposed. So much so, in fact, that he was even moved back to right tackle for a stint in 2014. Even with that said, it's hard to overlook all his positives. 

With experience at guard and both tackle spots, Ogbuehi would fit in nicely in Washington. The team isn't married to recent draft picks Spencer Long or Morgan Moses by any means. But in the event they pan out, Ogbuehi's versatility would relieve the team of any potential logjam. 

An excellent run blocker that Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBSSports.com once called a "future NFL Pro Bowler," Ogbuehi's selection could be a home run for the Skins if they take a gamble on him. 

WR Dorial Green-Beckham

With the likes of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts heading the depth chart, receiver doesn't rank as a position of need for Washington.

Looking at the financial state of the position, though, that could change. According to Spotrac.com, the team has over $23 million committed in cap space to its receivers in 2015. Sporting an offense that's predicated on the success of its running game, this is irrational spending on the Skins' part.

Because of this, some have pondered the thought of trading Garcon to balance the team's cap sheet. He's due to carry a cap charge of $9.7 million in 2015, and he's coming off a year in which his role within the offense was significantly diminished in the wake of Jackson's arrival. 

Relatively small at receiver—Leonard Hankerson was the only wideout last year listed over 6'0" on the roster—Washington would be wise to target a bigger receiver in the draft if it goes this route with Garcon. A receiver like Dorial Green-Beckham.

The 6'6" wideout's combination of size and speed is unmatched in this year's draft class. With his ability to high-point the football, Green-Beckham should thrive in the NFL as a red-zone target immediately, a la Kelvin Benjamin.

For all his natural ability, though, Green-Beckham didn't always showcase it on the gridiron. He did have 17 touchdowns in 25 games at Missouri, but his career numbers of 87 receptions and 1,278 yards remain underwhelming considering his talent.

But part of this is due to his inability to avoid trouble off the field. Ending with his dismissal from the university, Green-Beckham was suspended on multiple occasions at Missouri. Not only is marijuana possession on his rap sheet, but it was alleged in 2014 that he pushed a female student down a flight of stairs.

In the wake of the incidents involving Ray Rice and, more recently, Josh Gordon, this type of behavior can only have a negative effect on Green-Beckham's draft stock.

This is the NFL we're talking about, though. Talent trumps all! With that in mind, Washington should take a flyer on Green-Beckham if he's still available in the second or third round.

QB Sean Mannion

TROY WAYRYNEN/Associated Press

Any way you slice it, unless you want to count Colt McCoy, none of the quarterbacks on Washington's roster have been hand-picked by head coach Jay Gruden. 

With Gruden relentlessly pushing his offense on his quarterbacks, opposed to tailoring it to their respective strengths, this isn't something you should overlook. In light of that, the time has come for Gruden to get another quarterback to develop.

How about Sean Mannion?

Courtesy of playing under head coach Mike Riley, Mannion is well-versed in pro-style schemes. As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes, it was commonplace for him to make pre-snap reads and call audibles at the line of scrimmage. Knowing that Mannion comes from a multiple-read offense, Gruden won't have to worry about Mannion reading the wrong side of the field, a la Griffin.

Boasting the size and arm strength that NFL teams covet at the quarterback position, Mannion has even drawn comparisons to Matt Schaub. As we all know, though, this comparison could be a bit of a double entendre.

For all of Schaub's accomplishments—three 4,000 yard passing seasons and leading the Houston Texans to the postseason for the first time—as of late, he's become infamous for his mistakes. Looking at his career at Oregon State, the same could be said about Mannion.

In 47 games, he threw 54 interceptions. It should be mentioned, though, that in his senior season, he threw a career-low eight picks. A statue in the pocket, he's a sack waiting to happen if the ball doesn't come out on time. Behind Washington's offensive line, this could become problematic.

Still, provided he quickens his release and improves his decision-making, Mannion has the makings of an NFL starter. Given the state of the quarterback position over the past decade in D.C., this makes Mannion a risk worth taking for the Redskins.

RB Duke Johnson

Alfred Morris is entering the final year of his rookie deal and, as DeMarco Murray is currently finding out, he plays a position most teams aren't willing to invest in heavily.

In need of an explosive playmaker at this position for some time now, Washington could take Morris' pending free agency as an opportunity to find just that. 

Enter Duke Johnson. The latest stud running back to pave his NFL path at the University of Miami, Johnson proved to be a playmaker of the highest order in his three-year collegiate career. 

A threat to score as a runner, receiver and return man, Johnson amassed 2,060 all-purpose yards his freshman season (second-most in school history). 

While he did see his opportunities as a returner dwindle as his role increased on offense, he'd easily be the Skins' top return man under their present construction. He averaged 31.4 yards per return, in addition to scoring two touchdowns.

With 69 career receptions, at the very least Johnson could fulfill Roy Helu's role as the third-down back if he leaves in free agency. Sporting a career average of 6.7 yards a rush, in addition to Miami's all-time rushing mark, Johnson's only fallback is his durability.

ESPN.com gave him a below average rating for his durability, citing a sophomore campaign that was cut short by a broken ankle after eight games and the multiple concussions he's suffered. 

The second-round grade CBSSports.com is currently giving him could make Johnson too rich for Washington's taste. But provided the team trades back in Round 1 and acquires more picks—it really needs to—he certainly registers as a prospect worth gambling on.

CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Despite ranking as of the top cornerbacks in college football in 2014, Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu passed up the fortunes of the NFL and returned to school for his senior season. Named as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe award, which goes to the nation's best defensive back, he didn't disappoint in his senior year. 

Given the Richard Sherman treatment, in that teams often threw away from him, Ekpre-Olomu still managed to rank second on the team with two interceptions and six pass breakups. 

A successful senior campaign by all accounts, Ekpre-Olomu's year ended in disastrous fashion: He tore his ACL in practice prior to the playoffs. With his availability for the 2015 season a lingering question mark, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein is projecting for Ekpre-Olomu to fall out of the first round.

This is potentially good news for the Skins.

Washington was 24th in the league against the pass and allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete over 66 percent of their throws in 2014. Given the suspect play of David Amerson, Bashaud Breeland stands as the only long-term piece in the team's secondary.

So while the Skins would be cornering the market a bit on injured defensive backs, with Tracy Porter and DeAngelo Hall also coming off injuries, Ekpre-Olomu is worth the risk. 

Prior to his injury, Ekpre-Olomu was a staple in Oregon's lineup. He hadn't missed a game throughout his entire collegiate career. Additionally, his talent isn't scheme-specific. He excels in off-coverage and, despite his size (5'9", 185 pounds), he's not afraid to mix it up with receivers at the line of scrimmage. 

Capable of moving inside to cover the slot, Ekpre-Olomu could carve out role in Washington's nickel defense as a rookie.