It’s officially NFL Mock Draft season! Below I’ll do a first round mock up to the Washington Redskins pick and then go by round for the remainder of the draft. When it comes to mock drafts, these things are rarely accurate. But I think it is a good way to judge where a player may go in the draft. Also, I think it’s a great way to find out which positions a team could take. The Redskins tasted success last season but still have a long way to go in building a perennial contender. With Scot McCloughan, that could happen sooner than later. Especially if he continues having a high success rate in the draft.
2016 NFL Mock Draft:
- Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
- Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, NDSU
- San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
- Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
- Baltimore Ravens: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
- San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
- Miami Dolphins: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
- New York Giants: Jaylon Smith, OT, Notre Dame
- Chicago Bears: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
- New Orleans Saints: Jarren Reed, DT, Alabama
- Philadelphia Eagles: A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
- Oakland Raiders: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
- Los Angeles Rams: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
- Detroit Lions: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
- Atlanta Falcons: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
- Indianapolis Colts: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
- Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
- New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
With the 21st overall pick the Washington Redskins select:
- The Washington Redskins could go numerous directions in this draft scenario. There is still a QB on the board and I’m sure McCloughan will ponder the notion of Paxton Lynch, but ultimately it could trigger a trade down. However, let’s pretend as if the Redskins don’t trade down. There’s two players at this spot that I think would step in immediately and improve the team:
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: The Redskins could very well retain both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon this season, but they must start planning for the future. Getting this big, physical 20 year old would help improve the Redskins passing game. There’s legit concern about his speed — Treadwell appears to be slow on film and doesn’t separate well. History says, that could make him fall. However, as mentioned, he’s young and there’s upside with him. I think he needs to work on his feet off the line-of-scrimmage and in/out breaks. He needs to become more sudden. His feet aren’t slow, his speed is just average. I think if he’s able to fix his feet, he can be an impact player in this league.
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State: The Washington Redskins need to improve their Defensive Line and Chris Jones would instantly do that. He’s raw and needs to become more consistent. But in a few years, he may be the best defensive lineman from this draft. He’s that talented. He flashes an explosive get-off, good hand usage, power and an ability to shed. As said, he just needs to be molded — much like his former teammate Preston Smith. In my opinion, Vernon Butler and Chris Jones are the best fits early in this draft for the Redskins along their DL. Robert Nkemdiche is also a great fit, but his underwhelming film and character concerns could make the Redskins pass. Although, I do think McCloughan will like him as a player. Just not sure if he’d pull the trigger at this spot for him.
Who would McCloughan select? The top player on his board. I think Treadwell would be ranked higher.
Round Two:
- Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State: Washington had a fantastic Senior Bowl week, but his film is inconsistent. He flashes a great get-off and an ability to be a disruptive force. However, he occasionally stands up too high getting off the line and slips a lot on film. Add that with his possible off-field concerns, I think he could slip in the second round considering the deep pool of DL talent. I do think he has a lot of upside and if molded correctly — he can be a force. Washington is capable of playing the 3 or 5 tech role.
Round Three:
- Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas: I know the Redskins drafted a potential left guard in the fourth round last year. But with the uncertainty of Shawn Lauvao’s health, I could see them grabbing another fairly high. Tretola is a better prospect than what Arie Kouandjio was and it doesn’t hurt to build depth. I think Tretola could be a day one starter. He’s a massive individual with a lot of power and has pretty good mobility. He’s also more versatile than some may think. He’s capable of playing each guard spot and center. I think the Redskins should consider moving Spencer Long to center and let him compete with another player.
Round Four:
- Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama: Jones is a nickel DB to me and to many, which could make him fall to the fourth round. However, he’s an extremely physical player who can also return punts. That’s an extra bonus considering Jamison Crowder preformed horribly there last season.
Round Five:
- Jatavis Brown, ILB, Akron: I didn’t know who this guy was prior to the NFLPA Bowl. But he flashed big time in that game. It’s disappointing that he didn’t get a Senior Bowl invite, but that could help teams who would like to sneak him as a mid-round draft pick. Although, I fully expect him to light up the combine, which could raise him at least one round. Brown is an extremely athletic linebacker who has range for days. He’s small (only 5ft 11) but he plays bigger than that. You can tell he has great eyes and instincts as well. He’s going to be an impact player in the NFL regardless of where he’s drafted. The guy is good.
Round Six:
- Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia: I was surprised this guy declared early. But the Redskins need to continue adding explosive pieces to their offense and this guy is super explosive.
Round Seven:
- James Bradberry, CB, Samford: McCloughan tends to take multiple defensive backs and receivers in most of his drafts. This draft isn’t deep at WR but you could find a good DB, like Bradberry, late in this class. Bradberry impressed at the Senior Bowl — which could’ve raised his stock a bit. But he’s a physical corner who probably is best in press (Redskins need to play more press).
Overall, the Redskins in this scenario would be able to welcome in a group of physical football players — which McCloughan likes. Now, I know many will say, ‘well you didn’t select a center.’ As mentioned, I could see Spencer Long competing for that job with another player. Whether that player comes via the draft or free agency, I don’t think it’s a position you should force. I think Left Guard is still a position of need for the team as well.
Of course, it’s early in the process. This is just an initial mock that will probably change 10 times prior to the actual draft. As mentioned above, I pay more attention to positions than names when it comes to mock drafts. I think most of the positions above are the strength of this draft class and areas the Redskins could address.
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