Updating Washington Redskins' 1st-Round Big Board Post-Combine

A new pass-rusher creeps onto the updated first-round big board for the Washington Redskins following the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. So does a massive defensive tackle capable of anchoring the team's 3-4 defense.

The new additions are still joined by some familiar faces who've been linked with landing in D.C. by virtually every mock draft since the season ended. They include college football's best offensive lineman, along with the nation's top safety.

While neither represents the fashionable pick, both would help improve the two weakest positions on the roster. But since new general manager Scot McCloughan has preached the "best player available" philosophy, per ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, two more pass-rushers could turn his head at the fifth overall pick.

Here's what Washington's updated first-round big board should look like following the combine.

6. Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

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When you're running a 3-4 scheme you can't easily overlook a natural, dominant nose tackle. That holds true even if you're running a one-gap, or more traditional two-gap scheme.

Of course, it's doubtful anyone's been able to see over or around 6'2", 339-pounder Danny Shelton in quite some time. The former Huskies star is a powerful mass of humanity who would instantly become the focal point of the front seven in Washington.

He's a classic space-eater a defense can count on to fill gaps and absorb multiple blockers. But Shelton isn't merely a functional road grader.

He's also surprisingly adept at getting into the backfield and creating negative plays of his own. During the Senior Bowl, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock praised Shelton's ability to generate pressure, per NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Bryan Fischer:

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When you put the tape on, you can't help but think of Haloti Ngata. For a guy that's 343 pounds, his strength is outstanding. He's got a little hump move like Reggie White and Howie Long had, too. He has way more lateral quickness than people think he has and he played the majority of snaps at the University of Washington. Most big guys can't do that. He's had a special week.

If you have a top-10 pick, the thing you have to ask yourself is will he consistently have an ability, when you go to sub-packages, to push the pocket. I think he does. I would put him in the category with a Vince Wilfork.

"

Those are lofty comparisons, but certainly speak to Shelton's potential value. He gave a reminder of his playing strength at the combine by notching 34 reps at the bench press, the best mark in his field.

This is a powerful anchor with underrated athleticism. The Redskins may be moving away from two-gap principles this season, according to head coach Jay Gruden, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post, but that doesn't necessarily rule Shelton out.

Many one-gap 3-4 schemes make room for a big man over center. The Arizona Cardinals do with free agent Dan Williams. The Kansas City Chiefs do the same with Dontari Poe, another house-sized behemoth who doesn't leave the field in sub-package situations.

If a team is going to play the 3-4, it needs a dominant presence over center. Washington hasn't had one since switching to the scheme in 2010.

So Shelton still has value as this team's potential first-rounder. USA Today writer Nate Davis endorses that view, citing how Shelton will help the line get younger, as well as making stars of those around him.

Ultimately though, it will be down to McCloughan, Gruden and new defensive coordinator Joe Barry to determine if Shelton really will be more than a two-down player in the pros. The same trio will also have to decide if they want a more obvious playmaker who posts his own gaudy statistics rather than making them for others.

5. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Brandon Scherff's combine may have been cut short by a hamstring problem, per CSN Washington reporter Rich Tandler, but there's still plenty to recommend McCloughan picking the Outland Trophy winner at No. 5.

Scherff would instantly upgrade one of football's worst offensive lines. Washington's front five surrendered 58 sacks in 2014 and needs help at every spot bar left tackle.

Scherff played that position at Iowa, but projects best to the right edge or either guard spot. That's invaluable versatility.

Scherff and the Redskins don't seem to have a problem with him playing either position, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post: 

" Scherff said he's open to playing guard or tackle. #Redskins believe he'd be good at either position.— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) February 19, 2015"

Washington certainly did its due diligence at the combine. The team sat down with Scherff, per another CSN Washington report from Tandler:

"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."

It makes sense for a team with this many holes along the offensive front to talk things over with the best blocking prospect in this class. In terms of value and safety, Scherff is the smartest pick McCloughan could make this year.

But snagging a potential guard in the top five may not endear the new general manager to many in D.C., not when there are playmakers at more glamorous positions still on the board.

4. Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

It's become something of a hipster statement to downgrade the idea of Washington drafting Landon Collins. But it's a mistake to easily dismiss the notion of the most safety-needy team in the NFL drafting the best safety in this year's class.

Yes, this is a weak class at the position, but that's hardly Collins' fault. Yet he seems to have been tarred with the same brush as every underwhelming prospect at his position.

In reality, Collins is an exceptional talent, even if his best attributes may be suited to a very specific role. But it's a role that would immediately boost the Washington defense.

Specifically, Collins is a hitting safety who makes his greatest impact the closer to the line of scrimmage he is. He's a formidable force player against the run and adept at locking up receivers in short-area zones.

Collins is the kind of "Joker" in the box every aggressive, pressure-crazed hybrid defense needs to confuse blocking schemes and quarterbacks. Collins' thick 6'0", 228-pound frame lends itself to a "Lurch" role in big nickel, three-safety sets.

This hybrid linebacker-defensive back position has become increasingly important in today's game, where offenses frequently pass on early downs and defenses counter by leaning on the nickel package more often.

It's a position that also happens to have been the foundation of the defenses new Washington secondary coach Perry Fewell called for the New York Giants. Fewell used the three-safety package to feature players such as Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant during Big Blue's last Super Bowl run in 2011.

Fewell could certainly find multiple ways to utilize an attack-minded athlete like Collins. Mark Bullock of The Washington Post broke down Collins' combine performance, and also cited NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock making a very apt comparison to a bruising safety taken in the first round last year:

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He was a little stiff in the hips when dropping back in coverage drills but did run 4.53 40, impressive for a man that weighed in at 228 pounds. I really liked Mike Mayock’s comparison on the NFL Network broadcast, where he suggested him in a role similar to Deone Bucannon of the Cardinals last year. On first and second down, Bucannon played as an in-the-box strong safety, but moved to linebacker in dime sub-packages. I think Collins can play that exact role and excel while doing so.

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There are always going to be concerns about Collins' fluidity in deep coverage. But improvement in coverage will be a collective effort in Washington.

More physical techniques at the line will jam and disrupt receivers, preventing clean releases to the safety level. Whoever plays safety for the Redskins in 2015 needs to be put in structures that better protect the position.

It's a position that still needs an overhaul. Considering the veteran market is not exactly brimming with marquee solutions, taking the best safety in this draft would make a lot of sense.

The team has even shown interest, according to NBC reporter Dianna Marie Russini. She also notes Collins sees the Redskins as his top choice.

But McCloughan is guarded against drafting for need, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler. Meanwhile, most of the league is wary of taking a safety this high.

Those factors keep Collins in the middle of this big board.

3. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Vic Beasley just had to make this list after not only wowing everyone at the combine, but also dispelling some of the concerns about his size. Beasley took care of the former by posting position-best marks in every major event, including running a blazing 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

That's obvious evidence of Beasley's tremendous speed. He certainly possesses the lightning burst every quality edge-rusher needs.

But the real note from Beasley's performance in Indianapolis was the weight he added to a frame many scouts pegged as too slender. Beasley arrived at the combine weighing a bulkier 246 pounds, 11 more than his listed weight, according to NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin.

While it's still not prototypical size for the edge of a 3-4 in today's NFL, Beasley's larger frame will have eased the fears of some teams believing he wouldn't be able to withstand every-down duty in the pros.

Washington should be one of those teams. Look at any film of Beasley and you'll see a true natural pass-rusher. He's got the bend, lean, takeoff and closing speed the position demands.

A Redskins defense that logged just 36 sacks in 2014 needs a player with these attributes.

But despite the obvious need, it's never a bad idea to be a little wary of players who boss the combine. Or at least it's smart not to make a pick based solely on those numbers.

McCloughan knows that, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

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I want [the scouts] to realize that just because a guy can’t run a 4.4, 40 doesn’t mean he can’t play wide receiver or running back. All the sudden you have an offensive lineman who measures 6-foot 2-1/2 when the league average is 6-4. I couldn’t care less about that. Let me know about a football player and we’ll go from there because that’s what’s going to help me on Sundays.

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That means Beasley won't sit atop this big board, not when there are two other candidates whose numbers in Indy weren't as gaudy, but whose long-term value as pros could be greater.

2. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Washington needs a dynamic 3-4 outside linebacker. Brian Orakpo is a free agent, and 2014 second-rounder Trent Murphy hardly looks starter-ready.

But if you're talking appearances, Nebraska's Randy Gregory just looks like a rush linebacker in a 3-4. He's got the length, agility and closing speed most commonly associated with the scheme's finest pass-rushers.

It doesn't hurt that Gregory wants to play in the scheme at the pro level. That's not to say there aren't major question marks about him.

In fact, B/R draft analyst Matt Miller has highlighted serious red flags, citing potential "off-field issues." Those concerns go alongside those regarding Gregory' size.

Miller tweeted the Nebraska ace weighed under 240 at the combine: 

"I can confirm: Randy Gregory started Combine training at 218. Got up to 242 before getting sick. Weighed in at 238.— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 20, 2015"

These are the type of things that usually put teams off. They would have to be weighed against Gregory's obvious fit for the 3-4.

Former NFL safety and current ESPN pundit Louis Riddick still believes Gregory is a dream fit for the scheme: 

"Gregory is a prototype 34 edge rusher. His pure movement skills/athletic fluidity is the best of the edge players.— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 20, 2015"

It's a view also shared by former Atlanta Falcons D-end and pass-rush coach Chuck Smith, who's worked with Gregory during the predraft process: 

"@RandyGregory_4 has been trained in Coverage & PassRush and is as skilled 3-4 OLB Prospect the draft has seen in years.— Chuck Smith NFL (@chucksmithnfl) February 20, 2015"

Gregory's fit for this defense, as well as his natural talent, could be too good for Washington to pass up if he's still on the board at No. 5. Only particularly unfavorable off-field reports and issues with his size are likely to put McCloughan off.

1. Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

McCloughan could avoid answering the questions about Beasley and Gregory simply by taking Dante Fowler Jr. with his top pick. In that scenario, Washington would earn a skilled and highly versatile pass-rusher who carries none of the weight concerns of the other two.

Fowler managed to shift his 6'3", 261-pound frame across the 40 in 4.60 seconds. The ideal size and speed ratio is there for a modern edge-rusher.

But what makes Fowler really stand out is his tremendous flexibility. He has actual experience lining up on either side with his hand down or standing up.

Fowler noted how he has been expertly schooled in playing a hybrid role, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

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Fowler credits his time under Dan Quinn in 2011-12 (before Quinn took the defensive coordinator job in Seattle) and the last two seasons under Will Muschamp for his success.

Muschamp in 2014 utilized an attack with the most diverse number of blitzes, and moved Fowler all over the place. Quinn, now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, gave Fowler his foundation.

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Those move skills will be key to helping Barry and the Redskins get more creative up front in 2015. With Fowler in the lineup, Washington will be able to mix up base fronts pre-snap, depending on where he is and what stance he takes.

The ex-Gators star will also be able to confuse quarterbacks post-snap, with his ability to play in space. If the Redskins are committed to finding a natural hybrid pass-rusher to succeed Orakpo, Fowler is likely to make the quickest transition.

This big board reflects both the major needs Washington enters this draft having to fix, as well as the strength of this class at those positions. If McCloughan plays things smart, he won't have to make a choice between need and best player available.

He can walk away having obtained both.

All combine results and player information, including height and weight, via NFL.com.