5 Hidden Gems the Washington Redskins Should Have Noticed at the Combine

A quintet of previously hidden gems should have made Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan sit up and take notice at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

Actually, McCloughan could hardly miss one under-the-radar-treat, who leaped so high he made the global record books. But a gravity-defying cornerback wasn't the only unheralded star who made waves at the combine and could help the Redskins.

Two small school offensive linemen would add depth and starter's potential to perhaps the weakest unit on the roster. There's also room for a little-known defensive lineman who seems like a natural fit for a one-gap 3-4 scheme.

Find out which hidden gems should have made it onto Washington's radar after events in Indianapolis.

Derrick Lott, DT, Tennessee-Chattanooga

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

As one of the older rookies in this class and hailing from a small school, Derrick Lott will need a pro team to take a risk on him. Fortunately, the 6'4", 314-pound 24-year-old fits the mold for what the Redskins want to do along the defensive front this season.

Head coach Jay Gruden has already stated that this year's 3-4 scheme won't contain many two-gap principles, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post. That means the line will need big bodies agile enough to split blocks and slant through a single gap.

Lott fits that description. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein describes him as a "skilled" pass-rusher and a "natural fit as a 3-technique."

While Zierlein also notes Lott has the potential to play 3-4 end, his attributes attacking the guard-tackle gap could be enough in the new defense. First-year coordinator Joe Barry has arrived in D.C. after serving on the San Diego Chargers defensive staff.

Barry helped coach a scheme that regularly turned Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes loose as 3-technique rushers. Every one-gap 3-4 needs a capable 3-technique.

Washington currently has one in the form of veteran Jason Hatcher. But the 32-year-old is up there in age and struggled through his debut year in the nation's capital amid injury concerns.

Lott would potentially make a useful rotation option. His 4.99 40-yard dash time at the combine was solid, as was his 106.0-inch broad jump.

This stout lineman is blessed with ample agility and move skills. Lott would be well worth adding to the mix along Washington's defensive front for the cost of a late-round draft pick.

Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Washington's coaches and decision-makers have made little secret of the fact they want to get bigger and play with more power along the offensive front in 2015. It's an approach that will require different linemen than the ones who were recruited to run previous head coach Mike Shanahan's zone-style stretch schemes.

One unheralded blocker who fits the hat-on-hat mold the Redskins now covet is Tennessee State behemoth Robert Myers. He tips the scales at 6'5" and 326 pounds.

More importantly, his playing strength and technical acumen all suit a power-based system. NFL.com draft scribe Lance Zierlein couldn't be clearer that the player he calls an "average lateral athlete" has a poor grasp of the nuances of zone blocking.

But Zierlein does note how Myers creates "movement at the point of attack when asked to drive-block." That's a quality that should endear the man mountain to Gruden, as well as new O-line coach Bill Callahan. The latter is another proponent of power-based blocking, per ESPN.com's John Keim.

One of the most instantly recognizable features of a power scheme are pulling linemen. Zierlein ended his assessment of Myers with this description: "Myers is a guard prospect who can pull and play in a power scheme."

The player dubbed "Quadzilla" is projected as a fourth- or a fifth-round pick, according to his CBS Sports draft profile page. Given his naturally imposing physical attributes and his fit in a power scheme, along with how Callahan's coaching could refine his raw technique, Myers would be a true sleeper in either round for Washington.

Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Byron Jones may have been a hidden gem entering the combine, but he'll find it impossible to stay hidden now after he shattered the combine record for a broad jump.

The NFL on ESPN Twitter account detailed Jones' staggering jump: 

"

UConn CB Byron Jones is UNREAL! He just broke the Combine broad jump record by 8 inches (12'3")!!

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 23, 2015"

Jones obliterated the mark previously set by New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins in 2013, per NESN.com writer Doug Kyed.

NFL Network reporter Andrew Siciliano noted how Jones' effort would be a world record if it was an official mark: 

"

UCONN CB Byron Jones 12’3” broad jump would be a world record. Previous record of 3.71 meters (12’2”) has stood since 1968.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 23, 2015"

But Jones wasn't finished, as Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Burke noted: "Jones then backed his magnificent show of athleticism with a 44.5-inch vertical, second-best of anyone participating at the 2015 combine behind only Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley, who tapped 45 inches."

While it's always dangerous to put too much stock in combine numbers, any cover man with that kind of all-world leaping ability is one a defensive back-needy team like the Redskins has to notice.

Jones has proved he has the physical gifts to go up and get the ball against any receiver. But how does that translate to the field?

For one thing, Jones has the size McCloughan is likely to covet at cornerback. The 6'1", 199-pound UConn star fits the mold of the bigger, press-style cornerbacks McCloughan helped recruit as a member of the Seattle Seahawks front office.

McCloughan still believes in that approach, according to Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler.

He's also likely to be impressed by Jones' intangibles, most notably his leadership qualities. One NFC North scout told NFL.com draft profiler Lance Zierlein that Jones is a "high-character player with the vision and instincts you want from an NFL cornerback."

Zierlein called Jones an "interesting free safety prospect." That's also certainly a position that could use some help on this roster.

WalterFootball.com writer Walter Cherepinsky projects this team captain as a third or fifth-rounder, citing the shoulder injury, which ultimately required surgery, that ended his final collegiate season after only seven games.

If Jones delivers a clean bill of health at his pro day, he'd be a great fit for a Washington cornerback rotation that still looks questionable. Last season's fourth-round pick Bashaud Breeland has star potential, but 2013 second-rounder David Amerson has struggled.

Meanwhile, the team is keeping veteran DeAngelo Hall around, but the 32-year-old is recovering from tearing the same Achilles twice. With E.J. Biggers and Tracy Porter ticketed for free agency, adding a corner with Jones' intriguing athletic skills would make a lot of sense.

Ali Marpet, C/G, Hobart & William Smith

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Ali Marpet is going to be on every team's list as a potential late-round steal after he posted an astonishing 4.98 seconds in the 40. To give that figure some appropriate context, USA Today Sports For The Win blogger Nick Schwartz noted how Marpet, who was the only O-lineman to complete the run in less than five seconds, nearly matched the time set by quarterback Jameis Winston, the prospective top pick this year.

That's better than merely not bad, especially for a 6'4", 307-pounder. But it's not just blink-and-you'll-miss-it athleticism that is making Marpet stand out during the draft process.

Versatility is another key trait he brings to the table. NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock has tabbed this college left tackle as a good fit at "all three interior positions," specifically at center, per Redskins.com writer Brendan Capria.

That's potentially invaluable flexibility for a Washington O-line with so many issues at both the starter and backup levels. Of course, Marpet will always have his doubters because he's played at a Division III level.

But few prospects have made more of the predraft process.

Kyle Emanuel, OLB, North Dakota State

Bruce Crummy/Associated Press

Kyle Emanuel is a small-school hidden gem worth plucking from the sand for a team as short on outside pass-rushers as Washington is. The North Dakota State star boasted impressive numbers during his final season at the collegiate level.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein detailed some of Emanuel's more noteworthy production: "Logged 16.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in eight games against top 25 opponents."

Emanuel also made people take notice at the combine when he completed 27 reps at the bench press in Indy. That was the top mark in his field.

Emanuel has the raw physical gifts of an edge-rusher, although his 4.77 40 time may hurt that view.

Yet NFL Network draft pundit Mike Mayock believes Emanuel has the intangible toughness to switch inside in a 3-4, per WDay 6 News reporter Jody Norstedt. He's at least shown the flexibility to merit attention from any team needing to improve its linebacker depth.

The Redskins belong in that category. They need a useful outside rusher to compete with last year's undrafted signing Jackson Jeffcoat. Extra numbers in the middle behind starters Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley Jr. would also help.

Every player on this list would require a leap of faith from McCloughan. That's especially true of the four small-school prospects. But it's also relevant for Jones, who is coming off surgery and needs to prove his gaudy numbers in the combine's controlled environment can translate to game pressure.

But earning rewards for smartly taken risks is what separates good general managers from average ones. McCloughan can live up to his reputation as a keen judge of talent by snaring a few gems at this year's draft.

All combine results and player details, including height and weight, via NFL.com/combine, unless otherwise stated.