Washington Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft After Start of Free Agency
Free agency has been kind to the Washington Redskins so far, with the team using the veteran market to address needs along the defensive line as well as at safety and wide receiver.
Those smart moves alter the draft priorities for a team with 10 picks and a few more holes to fill. Those holes include boosting a meager pass rush with a dynamic edge-player or two.
It would also be wise for team president Bruce Allen to find a thumper to play middle linebacker and shore up a soft run defense. Fortunately, this year's class is heavy in quality inside 'backers.
Away from the defense, the Redskins could still use a wide receiver to help offset DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon both taking a walk in free agency. Yet the most pressing concern on this side of the ball remains the lack of a competent workhorse to carry the load in the running game.
Read on for a list of the prospects Washington should target in the 2017 NFL draft based on how free agency has already reshaped the roster.
Round 1, Pick 17: Dawuane Smoot, DE Illinois
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Greg Manusky is going to need extra weapons on the edge to help make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks in the 2017 season. Washington's new defensive coordinator will have already noticed the cupboard is a little bare when it comes to devastating outside rushers.
The lack of pressure specialists on the roster ought to encourage the Burgundy and Gold to take a long look at Dawuane Smoot in the opening round. What Redskins officials will see is a classic hustle rusher who wins based on brawn and effort.
Smoot's takeoff speed is a little lacking, but his bull rush is a nightmare for most offensive tackles. He would be a solid scheme fit for the type of defense Washington runs based on the assessment by Lance Zierlein of the league's official website: "He lacks a track record of pass rush production to excite NFL teams as an early round pick, but his athleticism could create an opportunity for him as a 3-4 rush end if given the chance."
Zierlein may have doubted Smoot's ability to hear his name called on the draft's first day, but the former Illinois product has boosted his stock during the offseason process, per Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball: "He had a quality week at the Senior Bowl and followed it up with a nice performance at the combine."
Smoot is the type of high-effort edge-player the Redskins have made a habit of drafting in recent years. Allen took Trent Murphy in 2014, while former general manager Scot McCloughan tabbed Preston Smith in the second round in 2015.
However, Smith's inconsistencies and Murphy's potential suspension for PED violations are just two of the problems facing Washington at this position. The others include veteran Junior Galette missing the last two seasons with injury, while Ryan Kerrigan continues to be a marked man by opposing blockers.
Rolling the dice on Smoot would not be a flashy pick, but it would net the Redskins a lunch pale pass-rusher Manusky could count on this season.
Round 2, Pick 49: Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida
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Pass-rusher isn't the only key position along the front seven the Redskins have so far ignored in free agency. Washington still needs more talent at inside linebacker, talent a prospect as capable and versatile as Jarrad Davis would provide.
Davis is the ideal mix of bruiser and rangy athlete to stay on the field for all three downs in the pros. In particular, this Florida standout would prove invaluable in space, according to Sports Illustrated: "Davis’ coverage abilities, provided he’s healthy, could make him the next best thing to Foster, the runaway No. 1 linebacker prospect this year. Davis can be matched up against backs or tight ends and hold his own."
A talent for tracking roving playmakers in space is going to be vital in the NFC East. The Redskins need an answer to the Philadelphia Eagles' fondness for flexing running back Darren Sproles into the slot or splitting tight end Zach Ertz out wide.
Similarly, bitter rivals the Dallas Cowboys can create obvious coverage mismatches with tight end Jason Witten and slot wideout Cole Beasley. Then there's the threat a healthy Shane Vereen will provide out of the backfield for the New York Giants.
The Redskins don't have an inside linebacker on the roster who boasts the agility and awareness to deal with these roaming threats. Davis represents a second-round steal for this team thanks to his lateral quickness, excellent instincts and seek-and-destroy mentality.
Round 3, Pick 81: Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
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Snaring Terrelle Pryor on a one-year deal was a terrific response to seeing DeSean Jackson join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. It means the Redskins essentially swapped one legitimate deep threat for another.
Yet even with Pryor on board, Washington's offense still needs a big-bodied catch-machine to help offset the loss of Pierre Garcon, who bolted to the San Francisco 49ers. Thankfully, Juju Smith-Schuster is a prototypical long-armed and bulkily framed wide receiver who can win over the middle and also outjump coverage on the outside.
If you want a pro comparison to get you anticipating tough performances and gaudy numbers, consider Lance Zierlein of the league's official site likening Smith-Schuster to Anquan Boldin.
Zierlein's comparison is an apt one thanks to Smith-Schuster's knack for getting his body between covering defenders and the ball. Then there are his aggressive hands to beat press coverage.
Those skills added up to 70 catches, including 10 touchdown grabs during 2016, per cfbstats.com. Putting Smith-Schuster's wide catching radius next to Pryor's talent as a burner, as well as Jamison Crowder's ability to win underneath, would ensure the post-Garcon and Jackson passing game is still prolific in Washington.
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Round 4, Pick 114: Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
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Matt Jones' issues with fumbles all but rule him out as Washington's primary ball-carrier. In a similar way, although Robert Kelley proved an undrafted find in 2016, he is not explosive enough to make the Redskins' ground game feared.
Ideally, the Burgundy and Gold need a back who combines Jones' breakaway talents with Kelley's dependability. The need ought to lead this team straight to Toledo's Kareem Hunt at the top of Round 4.
Hunt's 5'10", 216-pound frame makes him a solid grinder between the tackles. However, it's his above-average vision, swift decision-making and sudden cuts that make Hunt a likely candidate to lead a running game at the pro level.
Hunt is a natural game-breaker as a cutback runner. His one-cut-and-go talent would find an obvious home in a Washington ground scheme still underpinned by zone-style principles and play designs.
Like many of the prospects listed here, Hunt has made the most of his opportunities to wow onlookers during the predraft process this offseason, per Luke Easterling of USA Today's DraftWire: "His Senior Bowl performance backed up the talent and production you see on film, and he’s an NFL starter right out of the gate."
Hunt would surely make himself stand out among a rotation short of a wow factor in Washington.
Round 4, Pick 124: Davis Webb, QB, California
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Kirk Cousins signing his franchise tag means quarterback should not be a problem position for the Redskins in 2017. Yet it looks like a different story beyond this season.
Cousins' future is far from certain, with recent reports negative about the chances of No. 8 staying in Washington for 2018. In fact, Chick Hernandez of CSN Mid-Atlantic has even indicated Cousins will refuse to discuss a longer deal with Allen in the post-McCloughan landscape.
Cousins still looking like he is on borrowed time at Redskins Park makes finding his potential replacement a necessary part of Washington's plans for the draft. Davis Webb is still one of the better fits for head coach Jay Gruden's offense in this year's rookie class.
Webb fits Gruden's system because he is a pocket-based passer who possesses NFL-ready accuracy and arm strength. Webb's throwing motion has been commended by Greg Cosell of Yahoo Sports: "He looked natural throwing the ball with an easy delivery, a good touch thrower with a feel for pace and tempo, and showed functional mobility outside of the pocket."
Touch passing and an ability to make quick throws on the move are key assets in Gruden's version of the West Coast offense. The Cal passer would arrive in Washington boasting the same core building blocks Cousins brought as a fourth-round pick in 2012.
Significantly, Cosell's description of Webb's early fit in the pros would make him an ideal mid-round choice for the Redskins: "I could see a team like the Arizona Cardinals or San Diego Chargers liking Webb as a developmental quarterback behind their veteran starters. He has the skills to be a quality NFL starter."
In other words, Webb could sit and learn for a year while providing excellent insurance against Cousins finally making a break from the Redskins in 2018.
Round 5, Pick 154: Charles Walker, DT, Oklahoma
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The Redskins have already done some fine work fortifying their defensive line during free agency. Two excellent veterans were brought to town during the early phase of the veteran market, when the underrated Terrell McClain was snatched from NFC East foes the Dallas Cowboys, while Stacy McGee was a smart add from the Oakland Raiders.
There is even talk of another division rival being plundered with Philadelphia Eagles nose tackle Bennie Logan visiting the team, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, Washington's bid to solidify the defensive front should not end with free agency, not when the draft's late rounds could yield a trench warrior as disruptive as Oklahoma's Charles Walker.
The former Sooners behemoth boasts the size and hands usage to play five-technique end in a 3-4. Yet Walker is also adept enough at splitting gaps to work as a pass-rushing tackle in an "under" front.
Walker would find a fit in Manusky's schemes thanks to the latter's fondness for using one-gap techniques up front. Adding another D-lineman to the batch of new recruits make sense since Washington has already seen Chris Baker join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Cullen Jenkins, Ziggy Hood and Kedric Golston remain free agents.
Round 6, Pick 201: Gabe Marks, WR, Washington State
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Signing Pryor and spending an early-round pick on a wide receiver won't be enough to boost the position following Jackson and Garcon quitting the team. It would also make sense for the Redskins to use one of two picks in Round 6 on a productive wideout like Gabe Marks.
The one-time Washington State flanker reeled in 89 catches during the 2016 season, according to cfbstats.com. Marks also found the end zone on 13 of those grabs, per the same source.
More than his numbers, Marks has showcased a useful blend of possession-style skills and nifty outside speed. Marks isn't the biggest at 5'11" and 189 pounds, but he is sure-handed and can be moved around formations to attack coverage in a variety of ways.
Marks' most logical initial fit in Washington would be as a slot specialist to complement the efforts of Crowder and put Ryan Grant under pressure.
Round 6, Pick 209: Isaac Asiata, G, Utah
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Washington will enter the new NFL season with the core of a formidable starting offensive line already in place. Depth is a concern, though, with question marks at center and guard.
Fortunately, ex-Utah blocker Isaac Asiata would help answer both concerns as a true value pick late on in the sixth round. The 325-pound mauler played both guard spots and also operated over the ball during his collegiate days.
Such a high level of versatility should appeal to a Redskins team needing to replace Kory Lichtensteiger at center. The issue is compounded by John Sullivan being a free agent, while converted guard Spencer Long is not a natural at the position despite making 12 starts at center in 2016.
Even if Long stays over the ball for this season, the Redskins will still need better depth behind starting guards Shawn Lauvao and Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff.
Round 7, Pick 220: J.J. Dielman, C, Utah
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A lengthy injury history is likely to leave J.J. Dielman still on the board come the draft's final round. Yet there is excellent reward for the franchise willing to take the risk and select this scrappy and smart pivotman.
The Redskins should be the team to take a chance on Dielman getting healthy enough to make it in the pros. Lichtensteiger has retired, and Sullivan is still available on the veteran market, so Washington can't ignore center this offseason.
Dielman's ability to play every position along the O-line would also make him a perfect swing backup for any team needing to boost its depth along the front. He just needs to prove he's over the foot injury that wrecked his final year with the Utes.
Round 7, Pick 235: Peter Kalambayi, OLB, Stanford
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Smart teams use the draft's late rounds to unearth some sneaky good pass-rushers. The Redskins can do just that by taking Stanford's Peter Kalambayi with their final pick.
Kalambayi is a 3-4 natural from his time with the Cardinal. At 6'3" and 245 pounds, he is built for a role on the outside where he can the set the edge against the run and turn the corner to pressure the passer.
The concern is an absence of gaudy numbers during Kalambayi's final year at Palo Alto. He collected just 3.5 sacks and notched only five quarterback hurries in 2016, according to cfbstats.com.
However, Kalambayi would still offer enticing potential as a rotational piece in Washington's version of the 3-4.
The Redskins have used free agency well so far to solve some of their key flaws, notably along the defensive line. Yet the offseason rebuild can't be considered a true success without a solid haul from the draft, a solid haul dependent on adding capable prospects at positions still looking shaky after the first waves of free agency.
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