2015 Draft Sleepers Who'd Fit Perfectly with the Washington Redskins

Opening night always dominates the headlines and buildup to any NFL draft. With this year's draft day looming large, all anybody wants to talk about are first-round prospects.

But smart franchises are the ones who consistently make good use of the later rounds. Smart general managers are the ones who consistently guess right on sleeper prospects.

The Washington Redskins are hoping Scot McCloughan is that type of GM. His history with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks suggests he is.

But can McCloughan find the next the Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson or Frank Gore in 2015?

Here are five sleepers who would fit best on the Redskins' rebuilding roster.

Anthony Chickillo, DL, Miami

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Redskins haven't been shy about changing their techniques up front defensively for the 2015 season. Head coach Jay Gruden declared this year's 3-4 defense will feature less two-gap principles and be more of a "shoot-the-gap-type" scheme, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

That means lighter, quicker linemen who can split gaps rather than control them. Free agency reflected the switch when McCloughan handed deals to Ricky Jean Francois and Stephen Paea, both of whom are smaller than the classic 5-technique space-eaters most often associated with 3-4 fronts.

So is Anthony Chickillo, an undersized D-lineman who would work well in the new system. NFL.com Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah (h/t College Football 24/7's Mike Huguenin) dubbed the former Miami player "a mid-round pick who will be around a long time."

There seems to be some uncertainty over Chickillo's weight. Huguenin listed him as 6'4", 275 pounds, while Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples put the numbers at 6'4" and 282 pounds. NFL.com draft profiler Lance Zierlein has Chickillo tipping the scales as a 6'3", 267-pounder.

Obviously, the first two weights are closer to what the Redskins would like to let Chickillo play up front in the 3-4, even if their version will place less emphasis on size in the trenches.

Yet it's not size that really recommends Chickillo to Washington. Instead, it's his quickness off the ball, his ability to suddenly split gaps and get into the backfield.

Staples referenced an NFL Network interview Chickillo gave after impressing at the East-West Shrine game. He told reporter Alex Flanagan about his quick takeoff speed: “I’ve always had it. In college I was asked to two-gap. I’ve always had it, and I’m happy to use it out here today.”

The versatility to two-gap is useful for any 3-4 team, but it's his more dynamic qualities that should put Chickillo on Washington's radar. Staples noted how Chickillo is more of a playmaker, which is less common on 3-4 fronts: "As a senior, he made 41 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Those aren’t unusual numbers for a 3-4 defensive end asked to occupy two gaps, and video shows Chickillo didn’t take plays off."

Chickillo could work as a rotational 3-technique end, a key position in one-gap 3-4 schemes. He'd split time in a quality rotation with Paea, Francois and Jason Hatcher.

The group may be light in the running game but would certainly be effective pressuring quarterbacks.

Jaquiski Tartt, S, Samford

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

McCloughan addressed safety when he signed free agent Jeron Johnson and traded for Dashon Goldson. If all works out well, those moves should give Washington starting strong and free safeties.

But the Redskins shouldn't be done adding to a position that's been the bane of successive defenses for five seasons, so Samford's Jaquiski Tartt should still merit strong consideration over draft weekend.

B/R draft analyst Matt Miller identified Tartt as possibly the "best NFL draft sleeper no one is talking about:"

"

I've watched the tape on Tartt. He can find the ball, takes solid angles in run support and isn't afraid to mix it up. He has the ability to roll down over tight ends, and I like him playing in the front at the strong safety position. That's where he will earn his money in the pros.

"

Tartt is certainly a hitter who plays well in the box. His best fit is likely as a "lurch-style" third safety, the type of player who will be key in big nickel packages.

The hybrid position could become significant following the arrival of new secondary coach Perry Fewell. A former defensive coordinator with the NFC East-rival New York Giants, Fewell often utilized three-safety packages.

That meant deploying a safety at the linebacker level. At 6'1" and 221 pounds, Tartt certainly has the frame for a role so physically demanding.

There are other beefy hitters on the roster at the strong safety position; both Phillip Thomas and Duke Ihenacho fit that particular mold. But Tartt has greater upside than both. Specifically, he would lend yet more flexibility to a changing, evolving defensive scheme.

Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Often, a prospect is considered a sleeper precisely because he doesn't fit a specific position. Other times, it's because off-field question marks overshadow the projected talent.

For Nick Marshall, both issues apply. A quarterback at Auburn, Marshall transitioned to cornerback for Senior Bowl week.

The results were initially mixed, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

"

Auburn’s Nick Marshall came here as a quarterback but after one practice had switched to defensive back. Marshall did well covering a comeback route run by Miami’s Phillip Dorsett and broke on the low throw at the same time as a diving Dorsett, who couldn’t make the catch. But Marshall later got juked and burned badly, surrendering a long touchdown to Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett.

"

Despite any hiccups during the transition, Marshall has the raw attributes McCloughan could look for in another cornerback. His 6'1", 207-pound frame fits the kind of bulkier secondary McCloughan has preferred.

He helped construct the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary, a defensive backfield built on size and physicality. One of the key decisions in that process was drafting Richard Sherman, a former wide receiver converted to cornerback, in the fifth round in 2011.

The Redskins can afford to indulge letting a raw prospect develop. Cornerback is stronger following 2014 fourth-rounder Bashaud Breeland's quick development, DeAngelo Hall's return from injury and the acquisition of Chris Culliver in free agency.

Marshall is an intriguing talent for a team not put off by the "theft charges and a July 11, 2014 citation for marijuana possession," per CBS Sports' Rob Rang, that have naturally hurt his stock.

Terry Williams, NT, East Carolina

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Washington's defense will finally see the benefit of a true space-eater at the nose tackle position this season. McCloughan ensured that when he smartly signed 331-pounder Terrance Knighton in free agency.

The Redskins can find the perfect understudy for Knighton if McCloughan rolls the dice on Terry Williams. The ex-East Carolina behemoth is the ultimate risk.

First, there are his weight concerns, specifically regarding Williams' ability to keep his playing weight under control. He struggled to do that when he tipped the scales at 6'1" and 353 pounds during his collegiate days.

Fortunately, Williams has been making the effort to get in pro shape during the pre-draft process. DraftInsider.net's Tony Pauline provided details on the leaner Williams:

"

Terry Williams/DT/East Carolina: 5117/329lbs, down 30lbs from his playing weight. Pro-day updates for 3/26 in a few.

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 26, 2015"

A little more quickness can only be a good thing for a player College Football 24/7's Mike Huguenin described as "flat-out dominating at times."

The bigger concern may be Williams' off-field issues. He earned a pair of suspensions during his college days, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke.

Having some beef in reserve is no bad thing. It means the team will be able to spell Knighton over center and keep him fresh.

That would free Chris Baker, another house-sized road grader, to play end or shaded D-tackle, where he fits better than as a classic 0-technique.

John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

John Crockett has the versatility to not only fill the void in the backfield on third downs but also take some carries away from leading rusher Alfred Morris.

Bleacher Report's Mike Tanier identified the ex-North Dakota State ace as a "small-program star." While citing solid skills and deceptive downfield potential as a pass-catcher, Tanier also highlighted Crockett's flexibility as a runner:

"

Crockett is an old-fashioned, I-formation, one-cut runner. On power runs, traps and sweeps, he patiently follows his blocks and bursts when a hole is about to open. On zone-blocking or designed-cutback runs, he has very good vision and anticipation, particularly when cutting back against the flow of the play.

"

Crockett's ability to gain yards in power and zone schemes will suit a Washington ground system set to be more versatile in 2015. The Redskins will no longer tie their fortunes heavily to the Mike Shanahan-style zone techniques implemented in 2010.

Gruden and new offensive line coach Bill Callahan will introduce more "downhill" concepts, per ESPN's John Keim. Crockett fits such a scheme, but it's his pass-catching talent that could make him a steal for Washington.

Sporting News' Chris Kouffman noted how "West linebackers were helpless against him during one-on-one coverage drills," in the East-West Shrine game.

This team needs an obvious backfield weapon for third downs. Gruden has indicated Chris Thompson and Silas Redd will get their chances but also made it clear another back will be added, per Stephen Czarda of the team's official site.

Every player on this list fits the direction the rebuilding Redskins are taking on both sides of the ball. They are getting bigger at every level of the defense, so bulkier defensive backs and a beefy nose guard make sense.

Meanwhile, an ultra-talented contingent of skill players won't be complete without a more versatile running back for third-down duty.