5 Creative Moves the Washington Redskins Can Pull on Draft Day

If you want to get really creative for the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL draft, how about adding a defensive tackle yet to appear on the team's radar? Despite an offseason spent retooling the defensive front, new general manager Scot McCloughan can still target a big and dynamic playmaker up front.

That idea comes via a trade, a familiar theme when you're exploring ways a team can get creative in a draft. The other alternative is a double whammy dedicated to selecting two building blocks for an offensive line that's been weak for the longest time.

There's no doubt many fans would feel better about this team's chances in 2015 if the offensive line is in better shape. Yet ironically, not many seem comfortable with the idea of using a top-10 pick to make it happen.

Find out what creative moves the Redskins can make on draft day.

Trade Back with Kansas City Chiefs and Select Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

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The move: Washington moves back to 18, sends the fifth Pick to Kansas City Chiefs for third-round pick (80) and fourth-rounder (118)

Trading back with the Chiefs will give general manager Scot McCloughan more mid-round ammunition to add pieces to both the offensive and defensive fronts. He'll ask for and get the first of the Chiefs' third-round picks, as well as a fourth-rounder.

That deal will also yield the 18th overall selection. McCloughan can spring a surprise here by using that pick to take Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown.

He's perfect for the new scheme Washington intends to run defensively. The Redskins will run a one-gap version of the 3-4 ideally suited to Brown's particular skills.

The 6'2", 319-pounder is blink-of-an-eye quick off the snap, as NFL.com draft profiler Lance Ziegler notes:

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Brown has hand quickness and uses hands like an NFL starter. His instincts and feel off the snap help him to get into the backfield quickly. Some personnel men believe Brown can play multiple spots along the line in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, which could put him in play for a high number of teams.

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OK, you're probably thinking why go there when the team added Ricky Jean Francois and Stephen Paea in free agency, a pair of one-gap penetrators? For one thing, Brown has more upside than either player.

For another, Jason Hatcher, who figures to start at one end spot while Paea takes the other, will be 33 before the season begins. The Redskins have made a major push to get younger and bigger in the defensive trenches this offseason.

Adding Brown would complete the makeover.

What's in it for the Chiefs? The chance to add a top wide receiver to a position desperately in need of marquee talent.

Trade with the New Orleans Saints and Take a Pair of O-Linemen

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The move: Trade No. 5 pick, plus second- and sixth-rounders to New Orleans Saints for 13th and 31st picks. Select La'el Collins, T, LSU, Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Mark Bullock of The Washington Post noted how no team on draft day has more room to be creative than the Saints: "After landing a second first-round pick in the Jimmy Graham trade, the Saints now have five picks in the first three rounds. They also have a fourth- and two fifth-rounders, giving them eight picks in the top 154. With those picks, the Saints have the most maneuverability of anyone in the draft."

Perhaps the NFC South club could be tempted into a deal involving giving away their top two first-round choices. The trade would also involve the Saints moving into the top five, where prime prospects are available at their two biggest positions of need, namely, pass-rusher and wide receiver.

The New Orleans defense registered a mere 34 sacks in 2014, two shy of Washington's own paltry number. Meanwhile, quarterback Drew Brees would benefit from a refresh of his receiving corps, especially post-Jimmy Graham.

ESPN's John Keim has noted how elite receiver prospects Amari Cooper and Kevin White are top-five candidates, something that gives the Redskins a few trade options.

Owning the fifth choice would also give New Orleans a pick of at least three of the top four pass-rushers in this class: Dante Fowler Jr., Vic Beasley, Shane Ray and Randy Gregory.

Of course, the Saints may be loath to deal away both their first-rounders, particularly the one they claimed in the Graham deal. But that's where Washington's second-round choice can be handy as the ultimate pot sweetener.

The second round has hardly been kind to the Redskins in recent years. Neither David Amerson nor Trent Murphy have made the immediate impact usually expected of players taken at this stage.

Landing the penultimate pick of the opening round would also put Washington in an optimum position to grab a prospect on the cusp of both rounds. That means taking a player probably good enough to merit first-round consideration but almost certain to be gone once the Redskins use the sixth pick in Round 2.

In this particular scenario, Washington would take LSU mammoth road grader La'el Collins at 13 and slot him in at either right guard or tackle, both still problem positions in D.C.

McCloughan would then also still be free to tab Cameron Erving at 31. A center, who can also play guard, 6'5", 315-pounder Erving would add some much-needed bulk in the middle for the more physical schemes of new line coach Bill Callahan.

Trade Pierre Garcon to Carolina Panthers

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The move: Trade Garcon to the Panthers for Carolina's second-round pick (57)

While it would be sad to see Pierre Garcon leave Redskins Park, the blow would certainly be softened if it meant getting a second-round pick in exchange. That's not such a radical thought.

After all, Garcon is just two years removed from catching 113 passes and topping 1,000 yards. He's also still only 28.

Garcon's sure hands and ability to win over the middle would make him the perfect complement for the big-play exploits of Kelvin Benjamin in Carolina. The deal would also give quarterback Cam Newton a reliable safety valve.

Finding more consistent production in the passing game is all that separates the Panthers from making a genuine Super Bowl run. That has to be worth second-round value.

Now, as for what Washington should do with that pick, look no further than one member of a trio of fine inside linebackers. Picking at 57 would give the Redskins a legitimate shot at the versatile Benardrick McKinney, the ultra-athletic Eric Kendricks and the formidably physical Stephone Anthony.

Any one of those prospects would offer more upside than dismal incumbent Perry Riley Jr. They'd join Keenan Robinson to form the kind of terrific interior tandem every linebacker-led defense needs to thrive.

Some may argue it'd be smarter to go after a receiver following Garcon's exit. But Washington would still have DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts. There's also the possibility of a second-year leap from safe-hands specialist Ryan Grant.

One other point of note regarding the passing game concerns the decision to retain tight end Niles Paul. It was one of McCloughan's smartest moves this offseason.

The presence of both Paul and Jordan Reed gives the offense two wide receiver-style, "move" tight ends who can line up anywhere to attack defenses. They'll put less emphasis on the traditional flankers and soften the blow of Garcon's exit.

Trade Second-Rounder for Extra Third and Fourth

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The move: Trade second-round pick, plus sixth-rounder for extra third- and fourth-round picks

Picking just outside the top-five slots in Round 2 could condemn Washington to missing out on plenty of first-round graded talent. As their second pick falls into a bit of a gray area, the Redskins should package the choice with a late-round selection, probably their sixth, to earn an extra third and fourth on the board.

Shrewd GM's know how to get the best value in the middle rounds. McCloughan can do that if he uses the extra picks on running back Jeremy Langford and guard Tre' Jackson. The former has the workhorse-style skills to really challenge Alfred Morris in a new-look running game.

Meanwhile, Jackson is a house-sized interior blocker, who's presence may finally be enough to convince this team to rid itself of light and underperforming veteran Chris Chester.

With four picks spread over two prime rounds, McCloughan could underpin key areas of this roster, with depth players boasting starter potential. Greater competition at important positions can only be good for a rebuilding team.

Not many teams like the idea of giving up a second-round option considering how many instant starters are often found at that stage. But turning Washington into a consistent winner is about getting the foundation right, something that requires a roster strong at every level of the depth chart.

Even Washington's Creative Moves Have a Sensible Objective

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You probably noticed how there's nothing too rash on this list. Most of the so-called "creative" moves listed here still result in scenarios involving selecting linemen.

To many, these are picks the Redskins can easily make simply by staying put. No argument here.

The theme hasn't changed, even if the picks have, for one simple reason. If McCloughan is going to get things right, he must continue building from the ground up.

That means first securing the trenches on both sides of the ball. Free agency has already played its part in that process, at least for the defense, but the work is far from finished.

Year 1 of this franchise's latest effort to return to relevance has to be about steadily constructing the right platform for success. No prizes for identifying that process must start up front.