Washington Redskins Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine

Exactly how sold are the Washington Redskins on the supposed "in-house answers" the franchise believes it has along the offensive line, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com? The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine may have served to strengthen the belief that the team that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014 can help itself, rather than rely on the draft to reinforce the O-line.

Probably the top lineman in this class didn't participate in all of the drills in Indianapolis due to injury. But while Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff wasn't able to catch Scot McCloughan's eye, Washington's new general manager would've seen plenty of pass-rushing talent.

If there is one big takeaway from the combine for the Redskins, it's that Brian Orakpo should be a very nervous man. The outside linebacker who's headed for free agency should know that at least three viable successors for his position emerged in Indy.

One even leads the way in this mock draft.

Find out what other positions Washington will covet as this year's combine creeps into history.

Round 1: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida

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The Redskins didn't get to see Scherff really put through his paces after the Outland Trophy winner suffered a hamstring injury, per CSNWashington.com reporter Rich Tandler. Washington had already met with Scherff, per another article by Tandler:

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Yes I talked with them last night. I thought it went well. We just sat down, talked about my family background. We drew some plays up. They has some film of me, we critiqued that. Then it was time to go.

"

With Scherff sitting the process out, McCloughan was free to focus his full attention on the draft's top pass-rushers. The name that probably stood out was Dante Fowler Jr.

As Bleacher Report analyst Chris Simms points out, Fowler's combine performance wasn't as strong as some, particularly Clemson's Vic Beasley. The latter outpaced Fowler's 4.60 40-yard dash time and out-lifted him at the bench press, according to NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin.

In fact, Beasley seems like a more gifted pass-rusher. He may even be the most natural rusher in this entire draft.

But Fowler's upside comes from the many different ways he can improve Washington's porous defense. His value lies in his versatility.

That's a quality the player himself endorsed on the eve of his combine performance, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

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I really can play anywhere. Florida’s defense was multiple. We played a 3-4 and a 4-3. … My first year, my freshman year, I played a lot of defensive end. My sophomore year I did a lot. My junior year we played a lot of 3-4, so I was the [outside linebacker]. I stood up and just roamed and things like that, I played all over the place.

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That's the type of flexibility new Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry will covet this season. U-T San Diego reporter Michael Gehlken told B/R Barry will run a scheme that's "as close to a 4-3" as possible without actually being an official four-man front.

Such a hybrid scheme will demand players capable of being equally effective with a hand down as standing up.

Fowler's ample experience in both roles will be a major boost to his stock, so will his ability to play in space, something he ably demonstrated in Indianapolis, per NFL.com Media analyst Bucky Brooks: "From dropping into coverage with his eyes on the quarterback to changing directions in a variety of agility and bag drills, Fowler looks comfortable playing in space from an upright position."

There's obvious interest after Jones tweeted Fowler's claim he planned to meet with the Redskins.

Hybrid systems need hybrid players, especially on the edge. That's exactly what Fowler will give Washington's defense.

Round 2: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami

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One player who might see his stock hurt by a combine performance that failed to blow anyone away is Miami's rugged tackling machine Denzel Perryman. He showed off his strength by topping the bench press drill with an impressive 27 reps, but his 4.78 40 time was not as nifty as many would expect from a quick-twitch 242-pounder.

Having been outperformed by Eric Kendricks and Benardrick McKinney, Perryman figures to still be sitting on the board at the top of Round 2. If so, the Redskins simply have to take him.

Inside linebacker depth became a major issue last season. Washington ended 2014 with Steve Beauharnais and Will Compton seeing time in the middle. That's not good, no matter how much of a fan favorite Compton appears to be.

This teams needs quality cover at the heart of the linebacker corps, especially when starter and budding star Keenan Robinson isn't the most durable.

More than just providing depth, though, Perryman would immediately push for playing time ahead of the disappointing Perry Riley Jr. The latter frequently gets into position to make plays, yet rarely finishes the job.

That's never been a problem for Perryman, who gets to the ball and always brings the boom with him when he does. Yet there are concerns about Perryman's coverage skills, as one AFC East regional scout told NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein: "He's going to lay the wood to ball-carriers when he gets a chance, but college teams were already finding ways to go after him in the passing game."

But as a natural bruiser in the middle, Perryman would be a great complement to the roving, more agile Robinson. Washington's defense has lacked genuine formidable physicality for too long.

Perryman can be that missing force in the middle and has the instincts to refine the raw areas of his game.

Round 3: Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson

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For a team transitioning to a different style of 3-4 defense, the Redskins should have liked what they saw from Grady Jarrett at the combine. The stout, barrel-chested former Clemson ace put up solid numbers in the main drills, with his 5.06 40 time particularly impressive.

More important than combine numbers, though, Jarrett fits the new direction the defense is set to take under first-year coordinator Barry.

It's a change in philosophy based on different techniques up front, according to head coach Jay Gruden, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post: "There will be some different ideas that we have, as far as it’s not a two-gap 3-4. It might be more of a shoot-the-gap-type of 3-4, a get-up-the-field-and-rush-them 3-4, you know what I mean?"

Nimble-footed, 6'0", 290-pounder Jarrett just so happens to be perfect for such a scheme. That's according to one NFC North scout, per NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein:

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Grady will take you on a ride when he gets into you. I think grades on him will really vary since the only real fit for him is in a 1-gap 4-3 defense on the nose. Teams will beat him up over his size, but someone is going to get a good football player with him.

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Finding fresh answers over center remains a pressing concern for Washington. The team tried almost every available defensive lineman at the nose last season, with little success.

Now Jarvis Jenkins and Chris Neild, two of the better candidates, are slated for free agency. Meanwhile, veteran Barry Cofield Jr. carries a high cap hit in 2015, per Spotrac.com.

Barry has just come from a San Diego Chargers defense that trusts 6'3", 303-pounder Sean Lissemore to be its anchor. Selecting Jarrett would give Washington's new play-caller an ideal fit for a version of the 3-4 requiring greater quickness and that moves skills up front.

Round 4: Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford

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The need for better players at the safety position isn't going away anytime soon. Sadly, this isn't a great year for finding help from the collegiate ranks.

But Washington could still take a gamble on one late riser. Samford's Jaquiski Tartt has the size, mean streak and downhill attacking instincts most teams want in a strong safety.

Standing at an imposing 6'1" and 218 pounds, Tarrt has hybrid potential as a de facto linebacker in nickel sets. This "lurch-style" position has become more relevant in today's game, as pro defenses are increasingly reliant on nickel fronts on early downs.

Fielding five defensive backs and still staying stout against the run often requires three safeties. Tartt would certainly fit this key role.

His status as a so-called "small school prospect" could leave Tartt on the board until the fourth round. That's despite NFL Media analyst Charles Davis claiming on NFL Network's NFL AM the player has "SEC Skills," per NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin.

Tartt didn't waste his opportunity in Mobile, with CBSSports.com analyst Rob Rang noting he performed well. Provided he doesn't wow too many at the combine, and Tartt is yet to perform at the time of writing, the Samford slugger could be true bargain for Washington in the middle of this draft.

Round 5: Jeremiah Poutasi, G/T, Utah

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If Washington is serious about shifting to a power scheme, then McCloughan has to consider a natural drive blocker as big as Jeremiah Poutasi. The 6'6", 330-pounder played tackle for Utah but is already being projected to move to guard at the pro level.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein feels a move inside is in Poutasi's future. So does CBSSports.com writer Rob Rang, who also noted Poutasi's ability to play on either side of the line.

Washington needs that type of versatility to add depth to its patchwork front. Despite serious problems among the starters, the franchise apparently remains high on "in-house" candidates, according to WalterFootball.com reporter Charlie Campbell.

If so, it means the team may hold off on finding line help early on. That's certainly a very risky move, but there's no denying Poutasi fits the type of drive and "gap-blocking plays" Gruden loves, per CSNWashington.com reporter Rich Tandler.

Round 6: B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State

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McCloughan believes big guys win, especially in the trenches, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler. That belief should put B.J. Finney on his radar. In fact, if the wide-bodied Kansas State anchorman is still on the board in Round 6, Washington just has to take him.

Finney would give the team a bulkier option in the middle than capable, but lightweight veteran starter Kory Lichtensteiger. Finney tips the scales at 6'4" and 303 pounds, compared to Lichtensteiger's 6'2", 296-pound frame.

Finney was mildly impressive at the combine, clocking 5.25 in the 40. But his 20 reps in the bench press could've been better.

Some of his more modest figures, along with his so-called "small school" status could harm his draft stock. Few teams chase centers early on, but the Redskins would be wise to snap up this instinctive and scrappy interior blocker as a potential late-round gem.

Marcus Murphy, RB, Missouri

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Snaring one of the best pass-catching running backs in this class would be a great way for McCloughan to wrap up his first draft making the picks for the Redskins.

Marcus Murphy hardly wowed the field at the combine. The former Missouri star ran a 4.61 in the 40. But his natural shiftiness and excellent receiving skills are obvious to anyone who's observed him in a game situation.

Murphy lined up everywhere for Mizzou, flexing into the slot and even splitting out wide. As a runner, he knows how to slip underneath would-be tacklers and protect the football.

All told, Murphy has the versatility and quicks of an obvious third-down back. That's one thing Washington's current offense is certainly missing.

Roy Helu Jr. is headed for free agency and B/R analyst Chris Simms believes Gruden will chase a more "electric" option for third-down chores this offseason. Murphy fits the bill and would be a favourite to beat brittle 2013 fifth-rounder Chris Thompson to win a key role in the offense.

This mock has obviously paid close attention to combine performances, good and bad. Of course, it's never wise to put too much stock in numbers posted in Indianapolis.

McCloughan already made that clear on the eve of the event, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post: "What I’m trying to change is … we’re not looking for the height, weight or speed guys, we’re looking for football players."

Each of the picks on this list reflect versatile players who can help out at weak areas in schemes set to become more expansive in 2015.

All combine numbers courtesy of NFL.com.