Washington Redskins' Last-Minute 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

Scot McCloughan may want more picks, and he's already emptied the coffers in free agency to solve one of his biggest pre-draft problems. But not much has really changed for the Washington Redskins general manager headed into opening night of the 2016 NFL draft.

He still owns the 21st pick in the first round. He still needs to add talent to the defensive front seven from a class fit to burst with imposing D-linemen.

Developments on the day may change the draft order, but they won't alter McCloughan's focus. So expect a monster for the trenches to come out of Round 1, before Washington's decision-maker turns his thoughts toward beefing up the interior of the offensive line, adding a ball-carrier or two and selecting a versatile defensive back.

Picking up a middle linebacker who can hit, as well as a wide receiver with sure hands and big-play potential, would be more than just good measure. It would also create options at two positions that may be currently densely populated, but still face uncertain futures beyond this season.

Stocking up on quality competition at key spots is the best way to ensure the Redskins are not only stronger than last season, but built to be contenders beyond 2016.

A Word on Trades

A quick note on trades before delving into the eleventh-hour predictions. Although McCloughan has been open about his desire to accrue more picks, he's also stressed no deals will be agreed upon before the event itself.

It may also be tougher than many think to actually generate a deal that would benefit the Redskins. One common inducement to trade is giving quarterback-needy teams the chance to select Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.

The latest rumors indicate both the Denver Broncos at No. 31 and the Cleveland Browns at No. 32 could be keen on dealing their way up to get a quarterback, per Walter Football's Charlie Campbell. But there are reasons to believe they'll have to trade with teams in front of Washington if they hope to get Lynch.

B/R's Jason Cole noted in the video above how teams ahead of Washington in the first-round order are already showing strong interest in Lynch. So a trade partner would likely bypass the Burgundy and Gold en route to getting their next signal-caller of choice.

As Cole wisely pointed out, Lynch's stock could be set for a late surge because the cream of the QB class will likely go in the opening two picks. Perhaps that's why a team such as the New Orleans Saints, owners of the 12th pick in this draft, could be keen on Lynch, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who also reported how the NFC South club has already explored trading for a man under center.

With this context in mind, this final mock will omit any trade scenarios, even if the possibility of one remains solid. While it's relatively straightforward to consult the draft value chart and envisage compensations to fit, those are considerations strictly in McCloughan's wheelhouse.

So for now, here are the best fits for Washington's existing eight picks, with a big board coming first.

Top-100 Big Board

Associated Press

Andrew Billings should be in the mix when the Redskins are making up their mind in the first round.

These are the top 100 players McCloughan is likely to choose from during the draft's early rounds.

For the most part, the names on this board represent answers to the most obvious needs on the roster. But there's also an element of including players talented enough to merit a prime selection, even if the current depth chart is already loaded at the position.

The main example of this rule is Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, the most efficient pass-catcher in this class. His possession-type skills would add a lot to the playbook, despite the presence of incumbents Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.

By the same token, cornerbacks Eli Apple and Mackensie Alexander remain on the board even after the recent signings of Josh Norman and Greg Toler. McCloughan doesn't deem the Norman deal as a reason to rule out drafting another cover man, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

Here's the board: 

Washington Redskins Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Jarran Reed	DE/DT	Alabama
2	Andrew Billings	NT	Baylor
3	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
4	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
5	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
6	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
7	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
8	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
9	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
10	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
11	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
12	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
13	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
14	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
15	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
16	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
17	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
18	Keanu Neal	FS	Florida
19	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
20	Noah Spence	DE/OLB	Eastern Kentucky
21	Cody Whitehair	G	Kansas State
22	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
23	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
24	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
25	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
26	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
27	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
28	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
29	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
30	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
31	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
32	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
33	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
34	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
35	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
36	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
37	DeAndre Houston-Carson	S	William & Mary
38	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
39	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
40	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
41	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
42	Joshua Perry	OLB	Ohio State
43	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
44	Joshua Garnett	G	Stanford
45	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
46	Christian Westerman	G	Arizona State
47	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
48	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Florida)
49	T.J. Green	FS	Clemson
50	Vadal Alexander	G	LSU
51	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
52	Landon Turner	G	North Carolina
53	Jordan Jenkins	OLB	Georgia
54	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
55	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
56	Darian Thompson	FS	Boise State
57	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
58	Su'a Cravens	LB/S	USC
59	Jalen Mills	DB	USC
60	Kamalei Correa	DE	Boise State
61	Eric Murray	CB	Minnesota
62	Joe Dahl	G	Washington State
63	Justin Simmons	S	Boston College
64	Jason Fanaika	DE/OLB	Utah
65	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
66	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
67	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
68	Harlan Miller	CB	Southeastern Louisiana
69	Xavien Howard	DB	Baylor
70	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
71	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
72	Kyle Murphy	T	Stanford
73	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
74	Juston Burris	CB	North Carolina State
75	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	BYU
76	Roger Lewis	WR	Bowling Green
77	Jack Allen	C	Michigan State
78	James Cowser	DE/OLB	Southern Utah
79	Maliek Collins	NT	Nebraska
80	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
81	Scooby Wright III	ILB	Arizona State
82	Cole Toner	OT	Harvard
83	Blake Martinez	ILB	Stanford
84	Jacoby Brissett	QB	North Carolina State
85	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
86	Kelvin Taylor	RB	Florida
87	Sean Davis	FS	Maryland
88	Tyler Ervin	RB	San Jose State
89	K.J. Dillon	SS	West Virginia
90	Fahn Cooper	OT	Ole Miss
91	Joe Schobert	ILB	Wisconsin
92	Brandon Shell	OT	South Carolina
93	Evan Boehm	C	Missouri
94	Graham Glasgow	G	Michigan State
95	B.J. Goodson	ILB	Clemson
96	Brandon Allen	QB	Arkansas
97	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State
98	Yannick Ngakoue	OLB	Maryland
99	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
100	D.J. Reader	NT	Clemson

Round 1, Pick 21: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Associated Press

Jarran Reed would solve Washington's biggest problem from a season ago.

No change here, despite a late temptation to put Baylor's Andrew Billings in this slot. But while the latter jumps out as more explosive on film, Reed is the technician who never quits, and also a tractor beam for double-teams Washington needs to make its defense work.

Walter Football's Campbell has reported Reed is one of three members of the Crimson Tide in McCloughan's sights on draft day:

"

From what I hear, the Redskins are now zeroing in on a player from Alabama with cornerback no longer being a need. They have a trio of Crimson Tide standouts who are finalists for their pick. Those players are defensive tackle Jarran Reed, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, and center Ryan Kelly. Of the defensive linemen, it sounds like Reed is rated higher, but the team feels Robinson offers more versatility. Kelly would finish off their offensive line and give Washington one of the best young offensive lines in the NFL.

"

Forget about worrying if Reed is a two-down player or not. This defense stunk up the joint in 2015 when it came to stopping the run, ranking 26th in the NFL. Whether the Redskins are in their 3-4 base or a four-man front, they better have a force in the middle who will make life tough for opposing ball-carriers.

Reed did that for fun on the 'Bama defense. He was stout and productive at the heart of a shape-shifting front that put him in the guard-tackle B gap, over center and even out wide as a 5-technique end.

In Washington, he'd fit best lined up directly over center on early downs, where he would finally give the Redskins what they've never had since switching to the 3-4 in 2010, a true game-wrecker at nose tackle.

Coordinator Joe Barry would love Reed's astronomical production for a two-gap lineman. The 6'3", 311-pounder was in on 57 combined tackles during his final year in Mobile, per cfbstats.com.

When you consider how free-agent arrival Kendall Reyes, a true two-gapper, has averaged just over 30 stops a season, it puts Reed's impressive output into an exciting perspective.

If you're thinking stopping the run is no longer a major priority in the modern era, then think again. Just look at a schedule offering matchups against runners as gifted Le'Veon Bell, Adrian Peterson and Jonathan Stewart, and you'll see how much Washington will need a player like Reed in 2016.

Remember, this is a defense that allowed five 100-yard rushers in six games from Week 5 to 11 last season. It also allowed the usually run-shy Green Bay Packers to amass 141 yards on the ground in the playoffs. And this was before big Terrance Knighton walked in free agency.

This D needs Reed. He may not be the most exciting pick right now, but you'll be thankful McCloughan drafted him once the games start to count.

Round 2, Pick 53: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia

Like the first pick, this selection could easily have gone on another player of similar stripe, with Michigan State rush end Shilique Calhoun a very intriguing athlete. But in the end, Georgia's Jordan Jenkins got the nod because he's a ready-made fit for the edge in a 3-4 scheme.

McCloughan has recently indicated he'd like to boost the pass-rush options, even if he also expressed confidence in the incumbents, according to Anthony Gulizia of the Washington Times.

Realizing that confidence will mean rolling the dice that Junior Galette can stay healthy and out of trouble this season. It will also mean believing last year's second-round pick Preston Smith will continue his rapid development, while 2014 second-rounder Trent Murphy makes some strides.

There's a lot of ifs in that equation. Too many for a defense that only felt the collars of opposing quarterbacks 38 times last season.

So why not take Jenkins, a player who boasts the core rush skills Washington needs, while representing very little risk at all? This team captain at Georgia is described by USA Today Draft Wire's Jon Ledyard as "one of the 'safer' prospects in the draft."

Here's one more line from Ledyard's description sure to appeal to McCloughan: "Jenkins is old-school, bringing a violence to the position that should help make him an early starter as a 3-4 outside linebacker."

Washington's GM has been trying to build a bully since he took over last season. Loading up on physical football players with a true appetite for destruction is the best way to make it happen.

Jenkins has it, as well as the flexibility to play on both sides as either a stand-up rusher or as a classic end with his hand in the dirt.

Yes, the Redskins have options on the edges, but the apparent strength of their rotation is deceptive.

Galette is still rehabbing from the torn Achilles that wiped out his first year in Washington, according to CSNMidAtlantic.com's J.J. Regan. Meanwhile, Murphy has struggled to establish himself as a credible rush threat after logging just six sacks during his two pro seasons.

Continued problems for either or both would soon leave things threadbare in a vital area of the defense.

McCloughan can avoid those concerns by plucking natural 3-4 edge-destroyer Jenkins from his favorite, the SEC.

Round 3, Pick 84: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh

Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson aren't going anywhere this season. But the chances of keeping both pending free agents around next year are going to be pretty slim.

Factor in Andre Roberts' disappointing stint wearing Burgundy and Gold, and McCloughan would be wise to pluck a wide receiver from this year's class. Fortunately, he'd be choosing from a crop loaded with talented pass-catchers, but Tyler Boyd represents his best value in Round 3.

The Pittsburgh ball magnet is a roving playmaker with the length, hands and moves to be a major asset in one of the league's most shrewdly devised passing games.

A cursory glance at the depth chart will tell you only castoff LaRon Byrd stands taller than 6'0". It's not an ideal situation for head coach Jay Gruden, a play-caller schooled in the West Coast offense, a scheme built on freeing big receivers over the middle.

Enter 6'1", 197-pounder Boyd, perhaps the smartest route-runner and safest pair of hands in the class.

The comparison to really like is the one to subtle and nifty San Diego Chargers wideout Keenan Allen. Both Ledyard of USA Today Draft Wire and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compare Boyd to the 2013 third-rounder who has caught 215 passes with the Chargers.

Like Allen, Boyd lines up everywhere and is at his best streaking across the middle turning shallow crossers into big gains. His skill as an open-field runner, either directly from the backfield, out of his split or even returning kicks, makes Boyd a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the football.

A receiver who can take a short pass and turn it into gold is just the target quarterback Kirk Cousins loves. Putting Boyd with last year's rookie catch-and-scamper specialist Jamison Crowder, Garcon and tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis will give Washington one too many weapons for defenses to handle.

No team will be able to leave safeties deep to ward off Jackson's considerable vertical threat with this platoon of intermediate terrors ready to strike.

Round 4, Pick 120: K.J. Dillon, S, West Virginia

Associated Press

K.J. Dillon would compete at a variety of spots in Washington's secondary.

The "other" West Virginia safety offers the kind of coverage range and versatility the Redskins need at either spot along the back end of their secondary.

K.J. Dillon can play in a host of positions and brings a hard-nosed bravado to the defensive backfield. The player who can operate at both strong and free safety, as well as in the slot, is very reminiscent of last year's rookie DB Kyshoen Jarrett, who went on to look like a steal as a sixth-rounder.

With question marks over the quality of the options in Washington's secondary, if not the depth, McCloughan shouldn't wait as long to add a safety this year.

Dillon would initially push for time at free safety, arguably the most suspect position in the secondary following the release of Dashon Goldson. Former cornerback DeAngelo Hall currently has the chance to make the role his own, while Will Blackmon, another corner, also figures to compete.

But there's no substitute for a natural safety playing safety. Dillon offers a good understanding of coverages and route concepts, along with the tenacious zeal to never shy away from his responsibilities in run defense.

The concerns about him are a lack of top-end speed, but smart safeties soon learn how to compensate for this deficiency within a structured scheme.

More troubling might be Dillon's sometimes sloppy technique when he comes to tackle. This is not a form hitter, rather someone keen to lay the wood. But this is where secondary coach Perry Fewell can earn his keep.

Dillon's core versatility and magnet-like attraction to the ball make him a very interesting prospect. The right coaching can soon make him a very competent pro.

Round 5, Pick 158: Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida

Associated Press

Kelvin Taylor would merit carries as a rookie.

This pick stays consistent because that's exactly what Kelvin Taylor is, a consistent and smart runner with workhorse traits.

Initially, he may have to relax those traits while he works in a rotation to help keep his former Gators teammate Matt Jones fresh. There's quite a burden on Jones this season after Alfred Morris, Pierre Thomas and Darrel Young left town, Silas Redd was suspended and Chris Thompson had shoulder surgery.

Those developments have left the depth chart wafer-thin, and McCloughan will be playing with fire if he doesn't add at least one new face to it. Washington's GM has to be intrigued by Taylor.

Son of stylish former pro Fred Taylor, Kelvin has a very natural running motion. He won't ever thrill fans with speed or brute-force power, but he maintains a good pad level, makes sharp cuts and keeps his feet moving.

The lack of speed concerned many at the combine when Taylor posted a 4.60 in the 40 and "lagged behind virtually every running back during test," according to the Orlando Sentinel's Edgar Thompson.

But this is a back who delivers on the field, not in a sterile environment where the stopwatch is king. The 1,035 rushing yards he posted during his final season in the Sunshine State offer ample proof of that, per cfbstats.com.

If patience, determination, vision and imagination count for more than top-end athleticism in a running back, and they certainly should, the Redskins shouldn't waste a second taking Taylor off the board in the fifth.

He has steal potential and would offer vital and familiar support to Jones during a critical season for the latter.

Round 6, Pick 187: Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford

Associated Press

Blake Martinez is a sleeper in this class.

It may be pie-in-the-sky stuff to hope Martinez lasts until the sixth. But a lack of the spit-flying, snarling aggression many football fans and pundits demand from their middle linebackers makes a fall possible for this former Stanford man.

Martinez is no thumper, but he is a heady 'backer who processes things quickly and shifts his 6'2", 237-pound frame between the hash marks equally as fast. Well-schooled in the demands of manning the middle in a 3-4 scheme, Martinez would boost the competition behind de facto Redskins starters Will Compton and Mason Foster.

His presence would also heap more pressure on Perry Riley Jr.'s roster spot.

McCloughan has been tinkering with things at this vital position for awhile. He drafted Martrell Spaight in Round 5 last year, before dumping Keenan Robinson and signing Terence Garvin this offseason. Washington's GM is trying to see what works and who sticks.

Martinez would work his way up from special teams demon to pushing for a starting berth, the same way he did at Palo Alto, where he eventually "earned first-team All-Pac-12 and third-team All-America honors as a senior, accumulating 141 tackles and six pass breakups," per Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star.

While this may seem late to some for Washington to target an inside linebacker, consider waiting one more virtue for drafting Reed in the first. With a behemoth clogging the middle up front, they'll be less pressure on the middle linebackers to play like a fusion of Ray Lewis and Mike Singletary every week.

Round 7, Pick 232: Elijah Shumate, S, Notre Dame

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Washington gets more safety depth in the final round.

Elijah Shumate made his bones at the collegiate level manning the last line for a Notre Dame defense that's one of the most well-drilled in the country. His place as a two-year starter with the Irish should be all the recommendation Washington needs to use one of two picks in the final round on this all-action safety.

He's a hitter who leaves a mark and is never afraid to drop down into the box or take on a Mack truck tight end over the middle. A lot of his hits are of the form variety, meaning he knows how to marry the proper technique of set and breakdown with the wanton barbarism of a guy who loves to see gum shields fly through the air.

But the flip side to his overt physicality is a lack of range and smooth motion in coverage. Naturally it shows up most often in deep areas.

Fortunately, Shumate is already well-schooled in zone principles, so he'd likely quickly grasp a Washington defense still reliant on those type of coverage shells.

Round 7, Pick 242: Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Matthews would join the logjam along the interior of Washington's O-line.

The secret to finding good line depth late is getting bang for your buck, so to speak. Mike Matthews offers that as a road-grader who fits anywhere along the interior of an offensive line.

Being the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, who dominated at every front-five position during his stellar career, means Mike is entering the pros with a pedigree more illustrious than his own backlog with the Aggies.

But while the younger Matthews never wowed many during his collegiate days, it's still easy to appreciate how nimble he moves in the middle. He possesses an excellent slide motion with his feet, along with an innate instinct for diagnosing and adapting to problems in the meat grinder.

Many may want to see McCloughan address the pivot position a lot earlier. But as ESPN's John Keim has pointed out, the Redskins seem happy with some of their current options over the ball: "I know there’s some who predicted Alabama center Ryan Kelly to the Redskins, but I also know that they still want to try Spencer Long at center so they don’t have to draft one."

With starter Kory Lichtensteiger healthy again, the interior won't crumble as easily as it did at times in 2015. Still, it won't hurt to add some more competition for Lichtensteiger's deputies.