As with any team that seems to finally put a hard-fought playoff run together, the Washington Redskins had to scramble to keep their own free agents. It’s no coincidence that in the final year of many of these contracts players seem to finally put it together. It’s not on purpose. For many players it takes about three or four years to develop into a good NFL player and that just so happens to be the length of most rookie contracts.
The Redskins have spent the money to improve, they have a quarterback that’s at least serviceable in Kirk Cousins and about $12 million available in cap space heading into the draft. They might work free agency a bit more after, but for now they need to replace what they’ve lost through player selection. Here’s what I think the Redskins should do in my Perfect Mock Draft.
To see every teams Perfect Draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 21 – Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
2015: 57 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, one sack, two passes defended, one fumble recovery, 6-foot-3, 307 pounds
Alabama’s defense makes another appearance in the first round. With the departure of Terrence Knighton to free agency the Redskins have a giant hole in the middle of the line. Luckily Reed is a giant man that can fill it. Reed is the perfect 3-4 nose tackle. He can take up blockers, change directions quickly and has a nose for the ball.
Round 2, Pick 53 – Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
2015: 49 tackles, 15 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three passes defended, one forced fumble, 6-foot-5, 251 pounds
Calhoun has been a force on the line for Michigan State since he first took the field as a freshman. For the Redskins he can play defensive end with his hand in the ground or move to outside to rushing linebacker. He’s got the speed to do with a 4.81 40-yard dash and the lean body to slide around offensive tackles. Now that the NFL will no longer allow cut blocks, players like Calhoun should be even more dangerous as outside rushers.
Round 3, Pick 84 – Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia
2015: 37 tackles, three for a loss, six passes defended, 6-foot-1, 193 pounds
Canady is a prototype NFL corner with 4.49 speed and a 38-inch vertical jump. His size along should help him match up with any NFL receiver and there aren’t many that will be able to run by him. He won’t be ready to start immediately, but as a project Canady is one that can pay off at the end of the season.
Round 4, Pick 120 – Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
2015: 85 catches, 1,258 yards, seven touchdowns, 6-foot-0, 206 pounds
Burbridge is the only real NFL caliber receiver Connor Cook had at Michigan State last season and he responded by getting the lion’s share of the yards and catches. Burbridge made up for his slowish combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash at his pro day. He’s strong with a good vertical and can use his hands to get away from defenders at the line of scrimmage.
Round 5, Pick 158 – Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple
2015: 42 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries, 6-foot-3, 299 pounds
Ioannidis can get involved in the Redskins’ defense immediately as a rotational player along the defensive line. He started every game at defensive tackle for Temple last season and was named to the all-conference team.
Round 6, Pick 187 – DeAndre Houston-Carson, Safety, William & Mary
2015: 109 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, one sack, four interceptions, one forced fumble, three passes defended, 6-foot-1, 201 pounds
Houston-Carson is another player that slipped through the big school cracks to absolutely dominate at a lower level. With his 4.50 speed he’s one of the fastest safeties in this draft at at 6-1 with a 32.5-inch vertical jump, he should be more than capable of hanging with tight ends and slot receivers. Houston-Carson could be one of those late-round players that sneaks into the starting line up before the season’s over.
Round 7, Pick 235 – Jordan Walsh, OG, Iowa
2015: 36 career starts, First-Team All-Big 10, 6-foot-2, 311 pounds
If Cousins and Jay Gruden want to continue any kind of success in Washington, they have to get stronger up front on the offensive line too. If they’d like to create the 2010s version of the hogs, Walsh is a good guy to get that started.
Round 7, Pick 245 – Caleb Benenoch, OT, UCLA
2015: Started since 2013, 6-foot-5, 311 pounds
Benenoch is a tremendous athlete for his size and quick, running a 4.98 40 at the combine and his pro day. He should settle in at the NFL level in as a quality right tackle with some development.
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