TGIFootball: Breaking Down Washington Redskins' Options At 34 Overall

We’re now four weeks away from the 2014 NFL Draft that will be held at Radio City Music Hall, May 8 in primetime. Although the Washington Redskins don’t have a first round selection, they’re positioned only two picks out the round at 34 overall. That borderline first round pick should be able to net them a premier talent. The question now is, who and what position will be targeted?

Since January, we’ve talked about Wide Receiver being a position they’d probably target in the second round. I believe that was the plan until the Philadelphia Eagles surprisingly cut Pro Bowl WR DeSean Jackson out-right.

It was a “wow” moment, according to Washington Redskins’ Head Coach Jay Gruden. The team was in dire need of a consistent deep threat who can be a moving piece and command respect from safeties. So instead of getting an inexperienced prospect, Washington was able to net an elite playmaker. It was indeed a game changing move.

Now that Washington has their downfield threat, it likely does change the plan at 34 overall. The positions Washington could now target are: Right Tackle, Inside Linebacker, Defensive Back, Defensive End and Tight End. In other words — they’ll go best player available.

Ideally, you want a guy who can step in and produce for you in some form day one. As said, there should be premier talent on the board. Especially considering this is one of the deepest drafts in recent history.

I think Right Tackle is the leader of that pack right now. But I wouldn’t be shocked if Washington went ILB at 34 overall. A sleeper pick could also be a tight end. Many may view that as a luxury pick, but Jay Gruden likes to use the 11 and 12 personnel grouping a lot. Meaning, you’ll see a lot of three wide receiver sets and two tight end sets. An in-line tight end who can block and catch short to intermediate balls would be a nice complement to second year TE Jordan Reed.

Let’s take a look at my top five players at each position the Redskins could target at 34 overall:

Right Tackle:

Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama (6ft 7, 322) — This guy is huge, but he’s cut-up like a tight end. He’s a good run blocker and would be a sure-fire top 10 pick if not for injury concerns that hampered his 2013 campaign. He may be a better right tackle.
Morgan Moses, Virginia (6ft 6, 312) – Like Kouandjio — Morgan Moses is a big guy who can move. He’s another plug and play right tackle who proved early in this draft process that he could entice teams looking for a left tackle too.
Jawuan James, Tennessee (6ft 6, 311) – I go back and forth between James and his teammate “Tiny” Richardson. They both possess similar qualities. I think Tiny has more upside. But James is a little more sound with his technique at this point.
Antonio “Tiny” Richardson (6ft 6, 336) – As said above, Richardson has just as much upside as anyone. He’s a big guy who can be great in a power system. He just needs to become more sound with his technique.
Seantrel Henderson (6ft 7, 331) – I am still a big fan of Henderson. Most would probably put Cameron Fleming here, but Henderson is loaded with talent. He could easily be number one on this list if not for his character issues and inconsistent play. If he dedicates himself to the game of football and stays motivated, he could be one of the best tackles in the entire draft.

Inside Linebacker:

Ryan Shazier, Ohio State (6ft 1, 237) – Shazier was the reason I watched Ohio State every week last season. He’s an athletic freak and draws some comparisons to Bobby Wagner. If the Redskins seek to upgrade at ILB, it needs to be a game changer. Shazier can be that.
Kyle Van Noy, BYU (6ft 3, 243) – Van Noy is another guy who is physically gifted. He can play every LB spot.
Christian Jones, FSU (6ft 3, 240) – Jones is probably the most underrated Florida State prospect in this draft. The guy is loaded with talent, he just doesn’t quite know what he’s doing yet. He’s excellent in pass coverage and raw against the run. But the guy reminds me so much of Darryl Washington. He can be a stud.
Jordan Tripp, Montana (6ft 3, 234) – Tripp is one of my favorite players in this draft. He has good instincts. He’s solid in both the pass and run game. He could emerge as one of the steals in this draft.
Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA (6ft 4, 235) – If you’re looking for one of those old-school nasty competitors, Zumwalt is your guy. He’s a downhill thumper with room to grow in coverage. But he’s a big, high motor and energy player.

Defensive Back:

Kyle Fuller, VTech (6ft, 190) – Physical outside corner who doesn’t mind getting up in your face. He can also play special teams.
Jason Verrett, TCU (5ft 10, 189) – In my opinion, Verrett is a first round talent who could slide to the second because of his size and the fact his best spot could be nickel corner. But I watched this guy lockdown one of my favorite receivers in college football (Baylor’s Antwann Goodley) who may not be tall but is a big dude. I think Verrett can be a shutdown slot corner in a league where you see many three-receiver sets.
Terrance Brooks, FSU (5ft 11, 198) – Brooks may not be “big” but lets not forget the best safety in football, Earl Thomas, isn’t either. He’s a rangy player who could be an upgrade at safety for the Redskins.
Deone Bucannon, Washington State (6ft 1, 211) – I like Bucannon a tad more than Jimmie Ward because he’s a little more rangy in the backend. He also has more size.
Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois (5ft 11, 193) – Ward can play both free safety and strong safety, but I like him more at SS. In fact, he prefers playing in-the-box.

Defensive End:

RaShede Hagerman, Minnesota (6ft 6, 310) – Hagerman is a classic boom or bust guy. He has a nice skillset, but has to put it all together.
Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame (6ft 6, 304) – Tuitt was dominant in 2012 but after an injury, he struggled in 2013. I think he benefited from having NT Louis Nix in 2012, but Tuitt has dominance potential in his own right. He can be a bit JJ-Watt(ish) at times. He’s another boom or bust guy.
Will Sutton, Arizona State (6ft 1, 303) – I have it on good assurance that the Redskins had rep(s) attend ASU’s pro day and spent some time afterwards talking with Sutton. He’s another boom or bust guy. I consider him to be a “poor-man’s” Aaron Donald in this draft. Both players remind me of Geno Atkins. In a one-gap front, Sutton has potential to dominate.
Scott Crichton, Oregon State (6ft 3, 273) – Crichton had a pre-draft visit with the Redskins. He’s a tough evaluation because he’s small. I think he’s a 5-tech in a one gap scheme. He’s a situational rusher with a high motor.
Will Clarke, WVU (6ft 6, 271) – Clarke is a raw athlete. But he has all the tools to be a good player in the NFL. Some think he’s capable of standing up in a 3-4 scheme. I’d probably start him off as a 5-tech.

Tight Ends:

Jace Amaro, Texas Tech (6ft 5, 265) – Amaro is a great ball catcher and athlete. He was used more so as a utility tight end, but is capable of playing in-line.
Troy Niklas, Notre Dame (6ft 7, 270) – Niklas can be one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL day one. He has some high upside as an in-line tight end. Can occasionally drop a ball. But he’d be a perfect complement to Jordan Reed.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa (6ft 6, 265) – Isn’t a flashy player, but he’s very solid at everything. He’s big and makes the necessary plays. He’s also a physical blocker.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington (6ft 6, 262) – I like everything about ASJ, but think he can be a bit finesse at times.
Colt Lyerla, Oregon (6ft 4, 242) – Lyerla could quite frankly be the best or second best tight end in this draft. But off-field issues that include drugs could result in him going undrafted.

Big (Small) Board for 34 overall: