Washington Redskins Mock Draft: B/R Community Top 100 and 7-Round Results

The chance to play general manager for the Washington Redskins was just too good to pass up. That was the opportunity afforded me by "Bleacher Report's Community Mock draft."

Featured columnists for each team made the primary selections to make up the top 100 in the 2015 NFL draft. Rounds 4-7 were then executed with a little more freedom, rather than also being influenced by picks already made.

It's important to note a few things here. First, the following seven picks mocked to Washington are my personal choices for what the rebuilding NFC East club should do in this year's selection meet.

So, for instance, you'll immediately notice how this particular mock shuns the prevailing notion of the Redskins adding a top-notch, outside pass-rusher in Round 1. The opportunity to acquire a legitimate building block for one of the NFL's weakest offensive lines couldn't be ignored.

Neither could the chance to use an early pick on a quarterback-friendly weapon for the backfield. The top of this mock should tell you one thing: These selections are based on trying to make the quarterbacks in D.C. better.

Like it or not, that should remain the priority for any team having to choose between Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins or Colt McCoy under center.

Finally, this particular mock is free from trade scenarios. Instead, it's a straight focus on matching available talents with Washington's most obvious needs.

Bear in mind that a second mock will follow later this week. That version is likely to reflect more of the way the wind is blowing, in terms of rumors regarding new general manager Scot McCloughan's possible plans. It will also include a trade or two.

For now, though, read on to find out which prospects yours truly feels can quickly upgrade this team in 2015.

Round 1: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Buccaneers	Jameis Winston	QB	Florida State
2	Titans	Marcus Mariota	QB	Oregon
3	Jaguars	Dante Fowler Jr.	DE	Florida
4	Raiders	Leonard Williams	DT	USC
5	Redskins	Brandon Scherff	OL	Iowa
6	Jets	Vic Beasley	OLB	Clemson
7	Bears	Amari Cooper	WR	Alabama
8	Falcons	Bud Dupree	DE	Kentucky
9	Giants	Kevin White	WR	West Virginia
10	Rams	Andrus Peat	OT	Stanford
11	Vikings	Marcus Peters	CB	Washington
12	Browns	DeVante Parker	WR	Louisville
13	Saints	Shane Ray	DE	Missouri
14	Dolphins	La'el Collins	OL	LSU
15	49ers	Trae Waynes	CB	Michigan State
16	Texans	Breshad Perriman	WR	UCF
17	Chargers	Danny Shelton	DT	Washington
18	Chiefs	Randy Gregory	LB	Nebraska
19	Browns	Todd Gurley	RB	Georgia
20	Eagles	Jake Fisher	OL	Oregon
21	Bengals	Landon Collins	S	Alabama
22	Steelers	Kevin Johnson	CB	Wake Forest
23	Lions	Malcom Brown	DT	Texas
24	Cardinals	Cameron Erving	OC	Florida State
25	Panthers	Ereck Flowers	OT	Miami (FL)
26	Ravens	Jaelen Strong	WR	Arizona State
27	Cowboys	Byron Jones	CB	Connecticut
28	Broncos	T.J. Clemmings	OT	Pittsburgh
29	Colts	Arik Armstead	DE	Oregon
30	Packers	Owamagbe Odighizuwa	OLB	UCLA
31	Saints	Eric Kendricks	LB	UCLA
32	Patriots	Melvin Gordon	RB	Wisconsin

Welcome to the safest pick in this year's draft. The team that gave up 58 sacks in 2014 and has been weighed down by dire offensive fronts since 2010, taking the best O-lineman in this class is the perfect marriage of need and talent.

Scherff makes sense for the Redskins on many levels, certainly enough to justify picking him in the first five selections. For one thing, he fits the mold for a new blocking scheme based more on size and power than agility and quickness.

Head coach Jay Gruden wants more gap-style blocking instead of the zone-based techniques his predecessor Mike Shanahan made the vogue choice in D.C. That's why Bill Callahan was hired to take over the offensive trenches.

Gruden expects his new line guru to encourage a more physical, downhill approach in the running game, according to ESPN's John Keim. He correctly surmises that will mean "bigger guys who can move."

Enter Scherff, all 6'5" and 319 pounds of him. He's a natural-born power-based blocker who simply mauls and obliterates opponents in the running game.

He's also tailor-made for the interior. Scherff compares favorably to Zack Martin, as B/R's Matt Miller told Stephen Nelson in the video above. It's also a view shared by NFL Network's Mike Mayock (h/t NFL.com's Dan Parr).

Martin was a rookie Pro Bowler for Callahan and the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. He also transitioned from left tackle to right guard.

Scherff doing the same in Washington would provide a massive boost for the Redskins. It would mean having an instant upgrade over veteran Chris Chester.

The 32-year-old is too lightweight for the new scheme. He's also been a pass-rusher's punching bag for the last four seasons. Quarterbacks in D.C. could literally name bruises on their bodies after Chester.

But say Scherff sticks at tackle, he's not going to play on the left in Washington. That's the spot Pro Bowler Trent Williams calls home.

So maybe the ex-Iowa mainstay switches to right tackle, another perennial problem position for the Redskins. Or perhaps Scherff stays on the left but slides inside to play next to Williams and offers more than last season's generally uninspiring free-agent addition, Shawn Lauvao.

Get the picture yet? Selecting Scherff would mean having a great chance to instantly upgrade as many as three positions. You don't get better value than that on draft day.

Gruden may be content to talk up 2014 third-rounders Spencer Long and Morgan Moses as possible answers to the woes up front. But those words are fooling nobody, at least they shouldn't be.

If neither could supplant the likes of Chester and Tyler Polumbus before last season began, what hope is there for this pair to really become the kind of dominant road graders Washington needs?

Skimping on the offensive line in both free agency and the draft is what's let the position deteriorate as much as it has. It's high time the Redskins started seriously committing to getting better up front.

The last time the team used a top-five pick on an O-lineman a Pro Bowl left tackle was the reward. As a blocker who would quickly improve both last season's 19th-ranked rushing attack and the integrity of the pass pocket, selecting Scherff could be just as rewarding.

Round 2: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
33	Titans	Jalen Collins	CB	LSU
34	Buccaneers	Ty Sambrailo	OL	Colorado State
35	Raiders	Nelson Agholor	WR	USC
36	Jaguars	Dorial Green-Beckham	WR	Oklahoma
37	Jets	Laken Tomlinson	OG	Duke
38	Redskins	Ameer Abdullah	RB	Nebraska
39	Bears	Eli Harold	OLB	Virginia
40	Giants	Damarious Randall	S	Arizona State
41	Rams	D.J. Humphries	OL	Florida
42	Falcons	Eric Rowe	S	Utah
43	Browns	Donovan Smith	OT	Penn State
44	Saints	Phillip Dorsett	WR	Miami (FL)
45	Vikings	Stephone Anthony	LB	Clemson
46	49ers	Preston Smith	DE	Mississippi State
47	Dolphins	Devin Funchess	WR/TE	Michigan
48	Chargers	Tevin Coleman	RB	Indiana
49	Chiefs	Eddie Goldman	DL	Florida State
50	Bills	A.J. Cann	OG	South Carolina
51	Texans	Benardrick McKinney	OLB	Mississippi State
52	Eagles	Devin Smith	WR	Ohio State
53	Bengals	Maxx Williams	TE	Minnesota
54	Lions	Duke Johnson	RB	Miami (FL)
55	Cardinals	Ronald Darby	CB	Florida State
56	Steelers	Nate Orchard	DE/LB	Utah
57	Panthers	Jay Ajayi	RB	Boise State
58	Ravens	Clive Walford	TE	Miami (FL)
59	Broncos	Grady Jarrett	DT	Clemson
60	Cowboys	T.J. Yeldon	RB	Alabama
61	Colts	Paul Dawson	LB	TCU
62	Packers	P.J. Williams	CB	Florida State
63	Seahawks	Carl Davis	DL	Iowa
64	Patriots	Tre' Jackson	OG	Florida State

As salvos of verbal indignation are attached to my name by more than a few angry readers, please remember one thing about Ameer Abdullah. He's not just a third-down back, even if he is perfectly suited to a role as the one thing Washington's offense is missing at the skill positions level.

But any runner who lugged the rock 264 times, as Abdullah did for the Cornhuskers in 2014, per CFBStats.com, is more than just a one-down back. Instead, the 5'9", 205-pounder is a dynamic offensive weapon who can attack every level of a defense from a variety of positions at any time.

Abdullah would be the change-of-pace ball-carrier this team needs to complement Alfred Morris. He'd be the lightning to Morris' thunder.

With two starter-quality backs competing for carries behind a new blocking scheme, Washington's ground attack would resume its role as the focal point of the offense.

As a pass-catcher, Abdullah would create pre-snap headaches for coverage schemes and defensive coordinators. His ability to move around formations and quickly shake free from coverage would give Washington's quarterbacks an obvious target for the type of quick and easy, get-out-of-trouble throws this offense needs more of.

Remember, this is a quarterback-friendly draft.

Chris Thompson talked up his potential to win the third-down back role, during an interview with Redskins Nation host Larry Michael (h/t Redskins.com). But it's tough to see Thompson adding much as a runner or staying healthy enough to be a consistent factor catching passes out of the backfield.

Trusting Thompson and relying on the undrafted Silas Redd would be just another way of doing things on the cheap and still expecting good results from a key position. It's the same approach that's yielded four losing seasons out of the last five.

Gruden has already expressed his hope Washington will find a running back from a rookie class deep with talent, per ESPN's John Keim. He won't find better than Abdullah for what his offense needs.

Snatching Abdullah early on would complete an otherwise stellar cast of weapons. He would also increase the variety and potential for creativity at every level of the offense, lending explosive, game-breaking speed to the running game and matchup wins through the air.

Round 3: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
65	Buccaneers	Rashad Greene	WR	Florida State
66	Titans	Cedric Ogbuehi	OT	Texas A&M
67	Jaguars	Jeremy Langford	RB	Michigan State
68	Raiders	Ali Marpet	OG	Hobart College
69	Redskins	Danielle Hunter	DE	LSU
70	Jets	Tre McBride	WR	William & Mary
71	Bears	Jaquiski Tartt	S	Samford
72	Rams	Sammie Coates	WR	Auburn
73	Falcons	Mitch Morse	OG	Missouri
74	Giants	Rob Havenstein	OT	Wisconsin
75	Saints	D'Joun Smith	CB	Florida Atlantic
76	Vikings	Shaq Thompson	OLB	Washington
77	Browns	Jordan Phillips	DT	Oklahoma
78	Saints	John Miller	OG	Louisville
79	49ers	Denzel Perryman	ILB	Miami (FL)
80	Chiefs	Tyler Lockett	WR	Kansas State
81	Bills	Bryce Petty	QB	Baylor
82	Texans	Doran Grant	CB	Ohio State
83	Chargers	Hau'oli Kikaha	OLB	Washington
84	Eagles	Quinten Rollins	CB	Miami (OH)
85	Bengals	Za'Darius Smith	DE	Kentucky
86	Cardinals	David Cobb	RB	Minnesota
87	Steelers	Jeff Heuerman	TE	Ohio State
88	Lions	Josh Shaw	CB	USC
89	Panthers	Michael Bennett	DT	Ohio State
90	Ravens	Derron Smith	SS	Fresno State
91	Cowboys	Trey Flowers	DE	Arkansas
92	Broncos	Henry Anderson	DE	Stanford
93	Colts	Mike Davis	RB	South Carolina
94	Packers	Brett Hundley	QB	UCLA
95	Seahawks	Alex Carter	CB	Stanford
96	Patriots	Kenny Bell	WR	Nebraska
97	Patriots	Ifo Ekpre-Olomu	CB	Oregon
98	Chiefs	Senquez Golson	CB	Ole Miss
99	Bengals	Steven Nelson	CB	Oregon State
*100	Titans	Nick O'Leary	TE	Florida State

The Redskins finally get the extra edge player their defense needs, only a little later than expected. But the reward for patience is acquiring Danielle Hunter, one of the most athletically gifted prospects in this class.

Hunter is raw when it comes to the nuances of the game. Yet in terms of his build and agility, he just looks like the very model of a modern, pro-style rush end.

At 6'5" and 252 pounds, the ex-LSU ace would have no trouble making the switch from playing with his hand down to standing up. That distinction may not even be as important in 2015, as new defensive coordinator Joe Barry mixes 4-3 looks with 3-4 principles more often.

Hunter would be a key weapon in any plan of that type. NFL.com draft profiler Lance Zierlien compares Hunter to New York Giants' athletic marvel Jason Pierre-Paul.

Zierlein also notes how Hunter's potential needs refining with an emphasis on technique. He indicates the player has a "winning spin move," but he's also too much of a "thinker" when rushing the passer.

A prospect with these physical traits need to trust them more and learn to play instinctively. That's where good coaching is so important.

While you can't teach what Hunter has from a physical standpoint, get him to learn some technique and he'll be wrecking offenses before you know it. That's why he's worth the time and effort, even if he did log a mere 1.5 sacks in 2014, per CFBStats.com.

It's a number which doesn't really recommend Hunter to a defense that took down opposing quarterbacks just 36 times last season. But this is a pick made with an eye on the future, less concerned with what the player is now and more about how dominant he could become.

The real beauty of this selection is how it would let the Redskins still take a long look at what they have in Trent Murphy, the team's top pick a year ago. Even after a slow start, Murphy still showed potential as an edge defender. It's too soon to give up on that potential or marginalize it, just yet.

With Murphy leading the way and Hunter subbing in, Washington would have an intriguing one-two punch on the outside. Using a third-round pick on a situational weapon is a lot more palatable than expending a first-rounder on one.

Round 4: Durell Eskridge, FS, Syracuse

McCloughan scored points with beleaguered Redskins fans tired of seeing liabilities in the secondary, when he added three veterans to the defensive backfield this offseason.

But even after signing cornerback Chris Culliver and adding safeties Jeron Johnson and Dashon Goldson, the work of remaking the bane of the defense the last five years isn't done. That's why finding Durell Eskridge in Round 4 will be great news for Washington.

The former Syracuse ball hawk can provide excellent depth as a natural free safety behind Goldson. It's a position in short supply on the current roster.

Johnson will have plenty of company as he bids to win the starting strong safety spot this offseason. Phillip Thomas, Duke Ihenacho and Akeem Davis all also figure to be in the mix.

By contrast, though, Goldson will cut a lonely figure. Entering the season with only one true free safety is the kind of thinking that's landed Washington's secondary in trouble so often in the past.

Adding Eskridge, a player with a knack for getting his hands on the ball, but one still learning, would solve the problem. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang has described Eskridge as "not yet the sum of his parts" and a "bit rough around the edges."

Meanwhile, National Football Post writer Greg Gabriel noted that, despite his ideal size at 6'3" and 208 pounds, Eskridge must prove his speed at a "stop-watch driven position."

But thankfully, McCloughan has already stressed how he won't make picks based on combine numbers, per an interview with Redskins Nation host Larry Michael (via the team's official site):

"

It’s not always the best athletes that way, but I want them to realize, just because a guy can’t run a 4.4 40-yard [dash], doesn’t mean he can’t play wide receiver or running back. All the sudden you have an offensive lineman who measures 6’2 1/2” when the league average is 6’4”, I could 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.

"

What should draw him to Eskridge is the player's proven toughness and smarts with the frame to be physical along the last line of defense.

Round 5: Zach Hodges, OLB

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

It would make sense to add another pass-rushing prospect to a position wafer-thin behind Murphy and standout Ryan Kerrigan. Zach Hodges represents excellent value in Round 5 and, along with Hunter, would improve depth currently featuring Jackson Jeffcoat, Gabe Miller, Ricky Sapp and James Gayle.

NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler (h/t CBSSports.com) emphasizes Hodges' versatility: "Hodges played a hybrid role at Harvard, lining up inside, outside and also standing up as a rusher."

The experience playing various spots would be invaluable for a Washington defense set to be more multiple this year. Hodges isn't thickly built, despite carrying 250 pounds on a 6'2" frame.

But he's got long arms and the ability to dip and bend around the corner. He also boasts a solid history of being productive. As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein noted, he had 8.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2014.

Skeptics will point to the weak competition he faced at Harvard. But better a player dominates a weak field than fails to stand out in one.

Hodges has a high ceiling as a rotational pass-rusher with the core skills and natural instincts for pressuring the pocket. He'd be a project but a very useful one in Washington's schemes.

Since McCloughan added one-gap pass-rushers Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois to the D-line in free agency, they'll be less pressure on the outside linebackers for sacks. That's two-gap 3-4 thinking, not the kind of the "shoot-the-gap-type 3-4" Gruden wants in 2015, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

So the Redskins can afford to let Murphy grow and chance their luck on a few raw edge players to bolster depth to try and earn a steal.

Round 6: Jeff Luc, MLB, Cincinnati

Other needs and available players mean McCloughan may find it wise to wait before adding a true inside linebacker to the ranks. When he does, Cincinnati's Jeff Luc has sleeper potential late on.

He's described by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein as an "old-school inside linebacker." It's an apt description considering how Luc hits for keeps and uses his 6'1", 256-pound frame to fill gaps against the run.

That size makes him perfect for a 3-4 defense. While many have doubts about his range and move skills, Luc still impressed during the Senior Bowl.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke detailed how the player who made 134 tackles in 2014 fared: "Despite looking every little bit of that 263, the Cincinnati linebacker still flashed impressive movement during practice. Luc was able to turn and run with the North's running backs, save for one takedown of Ameer Abdullah during a pass route."

Luc may appear barely more than a sledgehammer-style plugger between the A-gaps, but there's certainly potential for more. He'd at least add a genuine aggressive streak to a defense pushed around too easily during recent seasons.

A more traditional thumper may also act as the perfect complement to all-action starter Keenan Robinson. His athleticism, smarts and range were a major boost for this position in 2014.

Having a battering ram next to him ready to do the dirty work inside would free Robinson to hover around as an omnipresent agent of destruction able to challenge offenses from anywhere.

In this scenario, Luc would provide major competition for incumbent Perry Riley Jr. who disappointed many last season.

Round 7: Corey Robinson, T, South Carolina

Travis Bell/Associated Press

Washington adds one more power-ready O-lineman to the rotation to round out this year's draft. At 6'7" and 324 pounds, Robinson certainly boasts the size the shift in blocking schemes will demand.

That size makes him a force in hat-on-hat blocking. Robinson engulfs run defenders and makes them disappear. He isn't quite as effective repelling pass-rushers, even if his long arms are an obvious advantage.

The most intriguing aspect of his game is the underrated mobility. He gets out into space well, despite his mountain-like frame. It's an obvious asset in a scheme that won't abandon its zone principles altogether.

Washington currently has a few options at tackle. But so far at least, Moses and Compton have impressed few, while it would at least be useful to have a competent backup for Williams on the left side.

Robinson more than fits the mold.

McCloughan Must Have One Eye on the Quarterback

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Even after a second season in a row filled with injury woes and feuding with coaches, the Redskins still aren't ready to give up on Robert Griffin III. That much was obvious when he was named starter earlier this offseason, a luxury few other quarterbacks who've struggled as much would enjoy.

Griffin returning under center means this team's fate is still tied directly to how well he plays. It's tied to his performances more than anything McCloughan has done to beef up the defense, more than any changes to the running game.

So it's incumbent on those calling the shots in D.C. to do all they can to help Griffin reach his potential, assuming he ever will. No matter what mechanical failings he has, and there are plenty, it's unfair to expect Griffin to suddenly improve overnight behind the same offensive line he had in 2014.

By the same token, it's unreasonable to demand quicker reads and safer throws from a quarterback who doesn't have the luxury of a backfield outlet to receive those type of passes.

That's why Scherff and Abdullah headline this draft. Because it isn't just about this season, not when the Redskins are likely to pick up Griffin's option for 2016, per Mark Maske of The Washington Post.

If this team's supposed franchise quarterback is going to succeed in the long term, he needs everything around him to make that possible. As the 2015 NFL draft approaches, Griffin is still missing a few vital pieces.