2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft: Washington Redskins, Pick #13

We keep rolling right along in our 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, ladies and gentlemen. The “Big Four” quarterbacks are finally all off of the board, thanks to the Buffalo Bills with the most recent selection. Let’s take a look at the last few picks we’ve had.

8. Chicago Bears - Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

9. San Francisco 49ers - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

10. Oakland Raiders - Vita Vea, DT, Washington

11. Miami Dolphins - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals) - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Now, we move on to a team that regularly throws a curve in the offseason, whether it’s in free agency or the draft, in the Washington Redskins. They made a big move at the most important position this offseason, but what do we think they’re going to do in this year’s NFL Draft?

Let’s take a look at Washington.

Washington Redskins

2017 record: 7-9 (3rd place, NFC East)

Offseason additions

QB Kevin Hogan (acquired via trade with Cleveland), LB Pernell McPhee (free agent signing), WR Paul Richardson (free agent signing), CB Orlando Scandrick (free agent signing), QB Alex Smith (acquired via trade with Kansas City)

Offseason losses

QB Kirk Cousins (signed with Minnesota), S Su’a Cravens (traded to Denver), CB Kendall Fuller (traded to Kansas City), WR Ryan Grant (signed with Indianapolis. . .eventually), C Spencer Long (signed with New York Jets), TE Niles Paul (signed with Jacksonville), WR Terrelle Pryor (signed with New York Jets)

Team needs

Inside linebacker - Washington re-signed Zach Brown, who is one of the league’s better inside linebackers, but they don’t have much to offer next to him. Mason Foster and Will Compton both ended the year on IR, and the Redskins could probably stand to find themselves a better option at their other inside linebacker spot anyway.

Interior offensive line - The Redskins lost their starting center, Spencer Long, to the New York Jets, and they have not brought back Shawn Lauvao, who started for them at guard last season. They need some help on the offensive line to go next to Brandon Scherff on the interior.

Secondary - People were pretty surprised when Kendall Fuller was the player included in the trade for Alex Smith, as he was probably the team’s best defensive back this offseason. They could use help at corner, and they could use help at safety as well with the dealing of Cravens to Denver.

Wide receiver - The Redskins have lost a good chunk of their receiver corps this offseason. Ryan Grant signed with Indianapolis (after initially signing with Baltimore and failing a physical), and Terrelle Pryor turned out to be a flop. They still have Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson, as well as Jordan Reed at tight end, but they still need help at the receiver spot.

Options

Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida - The title of the second-best corner in this year’s class is up for debate, but we’ll give Hughes that title in this case. He transferred from North Carolina to Central Florida, and only played one year for the Golden Knights. He’s a little rough around the edges, but is outstanding in man coverage and may have the highest upside of any corner in this class.

Derwin James, S, Florida State - James has been passed on most draft boards at the safety position by Minkah Fitzpatrick, but was widely regarded as a potential Top 5 selection going into the 2017 college football season. He’s more of an in-the-box safety than a center fielder, but certainly has the skills to eventually develop into a player that can do both.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama - Ridley keeps falling down our draft board, and I’m not entirely sure if he’s the sort of player the Redskins could use at the position. He might even be a little redundant with the presence of Jamison Crowder, at least until he develops into more of an outside threat. Still, he’s going to be the first receiver off the board, barring a weird sort of Randy Moss-type situation, so he’s the option here.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State - I’ve got Vander Esch as the second-highest inside linebacker type on the board, though your mileage may vary on that. He’s not just a two-down middle linebacker, as he’s quite good in coverage and has the ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. He can definitely be a Day 1 starter for this defense and stay on the field for all three downs.

Connor Williams, OL, Texas - As we’ve said in previous picks where he’s been an option, Williams appears to be better suited to shift inside than someone like a Mike McGlinchey would be. If his medicals check out (he injured both his MCL and PCL last year), he’s certainly worthy of this selection, and is someone that the Redskins could flex to the outside should the need arise.

That’s our look at the Washington Redskins, ladies and gentlemen. Tomorrow, our second NFC North rival hits the board, as we take a look at the Green Bay Rodgers. . .er, Packers.