Washington Redskins: Updated Draft Big Board After First Wave of Free Agency
It is rare to have a free-agency period where the Washington Redskins don't have their hat in the highest-profile rings the offseason has to offer.
However, the signings they have made have been smart and narrowed their focus for the draft.
Having solved a few problems in their secondary and along the defensive line in free agency, the Redskins can focus on more important improvements to their roster.
Here is a look at Washington's big board following the first wave of free agency.
13. Jaquiski Tartt, S, Samford
1 of 13
There are some players you hear about, seemingly out of nowhere, and then find yourself enamored with. Jaquiski Tartt is that type of intriguing player, which makes him a late-round draft target.
With the need at safety still present, Tartt could be the steal of the draft for the Redskins.
Though Samford isn’t known as a football powerhouse, NFL Media's Charles Davis told NFL AM (h/t NFL.com) that Tartt has "SEC skills," which is to say that he could have made it in college football’s strongest conference.
Tartt isn’t elite in coverage but could be a weapon at strong safety playing in the box or prowling the line of scrimmage.
12. Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT, Iowa
2 of 13
Coaches love players with a relentless approach who are capable of overcoming less-than-elite athleticism or technique.
Though the Redskins added Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton and Stephen Paea, they could use some extra beef up front.
Iowa’s Louis Trinca-Pasat is a sleeper pick in this draft and should be available in the middle or late rounds. For Washington, he presents a potentially overshadowed asset with the skills to be an excellent part of a defensive line rotation.
Trinca-Pasat is undersized (6'1", 290 lbs) for a defensive tackle but would do nicely as a 3-4 defensive end. The Redskins need a player with a motor who will fight tooth and nail to make a play.
11. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
3 of 13
The additions of Chris Culliver certainly improve Washington’s secondary, giving the team a legitimate starter.
It allows the Redskins to work with David Amerson, potentially moving him to slot duty and shifting DeAngelo Hall to free safety.
However, a player like Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would give them depth, a potential future starter and a malleable talent they can develop as they see fit.
Amerson was drafted for former defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s defense—not current DC Joe Barry’s—and while he is talented, he regressed in 2014, struggling mightily in every situation imaginable.
Ekpre-Olomu has a recent injury history, suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2014. However, he has the skills to be a steal outside of the first round, where the talented Trae Waynes or even the troubled Marcus Peters are likely to be drafted.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
10. Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
4 of 13
The safeties in this year's draft class are not particularly impressive, though many of the projects are intriguing long-term prospects. Landon Collins is the top-rated strong safety in the draft, with CBSSports.com's Rob Rang and Pete Prisco projecting him as the 11th overall pick.
Collins would be an excellent addition to the Redskins needy secondary, but make no mistake about it, he is not a top-10 talent.
If the Redskins were to see Collins fall to the second round, or if they were to trade out of the top 10, he would be an excellent pick. But they shouldn't leap at the chance to draft him with the fifth pick and should be wary about picking him in the top 15.
Collins would fill a position of need, but he is not likely to be the best player available when the Redskins are on the clock.
9. Andrus Peat, RT, Stanford
5 of 13
If the Redskins want an assurance that their right tackle position is no longer a concern, they need look no further than Andrus Peat.
He has the foot speed to play the left side but all the skills of a right tackle, which fits right in with what Washington needs.
A likely mid-first-round pick, Peat is the most NFL-ready tackle in the draft. Like any prospect, he will need to improve—particularly in pass protection—but he won’t be a liability as a rookie starter.
Speed has been his Achilles' heel, but that is something he can work on while being an excellent run-blocker on the right side.
8. Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
6 of 13
Alvin "Bud" Dupree is another pass-rusher with potential who is simply not quite there yet in this draft. He has the physical tools, though he has not displayed ideal instincts to be unstoppable as a rush linebacker.
He is a raw player with a physical approach that won him a lot of battles at Kentucky.
Dupree’s problem is that he may be too much of a project, one who will never see his full potential. The sky is the limit if he focuses on developing at his position, but his reliance on athleticism could lead to him failing to reach his ceiling.
Proper coaching and the right system would be great for Dupree, and Washington’s system under Joe Barry has not been established enough to present the perfect place for Dupree.
7. T.J. Clemmings, RT, Pittsburgh
7 of 13
T.J. Clemmings would be a good option for the Redskins if they were to trade down in the first round in order to get out of having to reach with the fifth pick. He isn’t the best tackle in the class, but he does have the fewest questions about his position at the NFL level.
While Brandon Scherff and La’el Collins are projected by NFL Media analysts (h/t NFL.com) as better fits at guard in the NFL, Clemmings is a tackle all the way.
Where Clemmings fails is with his technique. He is still learning the position and will require coaching. But Clemmings is athletic for his size and can do serious damage blocking on the move and in space.
He could be a starter from the start but would need help as he refines his technique and learns to play under control.
6. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8 of 13
Wide receiver may not be at the top of the Redskins' list of needs, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider drafting the best receiver in the draft in Amari Cooper.
Cooper is a complete receiver and selecting him would go a long way toward making Washington’s passing offense one of the more dangerous units as far as receivers go.
In terms of athleticism, hands and polish, Cooper is the best in the class. It may be a controversial pick for the Redskins given their needs elsewhere, but if he’s the best player available, why not?
5. Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
9 of 13
Rarely is a nose tackle considered a game-changer. Vince Wilfork is about the only player who comes to mind in that role.
The Redskins may have just added Terrance Knighton, but that should not sway them from taking a long look at Danny Shelton.
Shelton can dominate at the point of attack and be a constant force in the middle, occupying blockers and eating up space. He’s powerful and can dictate the line of scrimmage if left unchecked.
Knighton is on a one-year deal, which means he can either earn a longer deal or make way for the future, which could very easily be Shelton.
4. Brandon Scherff, RT, Iowa
10 of 13
The need to improve the offensive line—particularly the right tackle position—remains and is amplified by the Redskins not signing guard Mike Iupati.
Brandon Scherff is the top-rated tackle in the draft and could be the top pick for the Redskins.
He is a solid pass protector with the ability to be a mauler in the ground game. His physical ability is not at all in question.
The problem with Scherff is that some view him as a guard at the NFL level, which would mean the Redskins would be taking a huge chance with him at right tackle or spending too high a pick on a guard.
While he is still an impressive prospect, the fifth overall pick is a reach for Scherff.
3. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
11 of 13
Randy Gregory is one of the more intriguing players projected in the top 10 of this year’s draft. He doesn’t have the ideal build, lacks polish and hasn’t displayed great instincts at his position.
But as raw as Gregory is, he has some incredible physical tools at his disposal.
He showed the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or standing up, he converts speed to power on his rush, etc.
He has a Julius Peppers sort of package going for him, which would offer limitless upside for the Redskins should they draft him.
While Gregory may not be an immediate replacement for Brian Orakpo, he would give the Redskins a versatile playmaker capable of working from multiple positions on the defense, potentially creating havoc for opposing offenses.
2. Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
12 of 13
Much will be made of the departure of Brian Orakpo, and with good reason. He was an imposing, physical linebacker who demanded the attention of opposing offenses.
Shane Ray could very easily be the player to not only replace Orakpo, but exceed his level of production and impact for the Redskins.
Not to take anything away from Orakpo, but he relied too heavily on bull rushes and pure power. Ray is an explosive athlete, with speed and power at his disposal.
The only knock on Ray is his lack of length, which poses a problem when engaging blockers—particularly when they can get their hands on him before he can get his hands on them. If he can’t get around or off of a block from a tackle with long arms, he can be removed from the play off the edge.
1. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
13 of 13
All of the concerns regarding Vic Beasley being undersized for a pass-rushing linebacker were silenced when he showed up to the combine weighing 246 pounds, 11 pounds heavier than his measured playing weight.
Add in the excellent performance in the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical and broad jumps, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, and he becomes one of the most tantalizing prospects available.
Having seen Brian Orakpo sign with the Tennesee Titans, the Redskins need a playmaker coming off the edge opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Beasley is an explosive athlete who could be the game-changer the Redskins hoped Orakpo would become.
Unless otherwise noted, draft projections and rankings courtesy of CBSSports.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
