There’s been a mass exodus in the D.C. area this season, and I’m not talking about the systemic neighborhood gentrification. No, I’m talking about coaches and free agents fleeing the Washington Redskins en masse since the calendar changed.
They’ve also done all they can to piss off their franchise quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Yes, I agree he’s not Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, but he’s the best guy they’ve had under center before Mark Rypien decided to suck and there’s no way they can afford to franchise him again, or trade him. Look how long, and how many draft picks and free agent dollars spent, it took to end up with a guy like Cousins. Sure, he’s a tier two quarterback who wants $24 million a year, but that’s what it costs.
So this perfect draft will pretend the Redskins aren’t complete morons and work out their problems with Cousins and don’t stupidly trade him, dooming themselves to another decade of mediocrity and guaranteeing Jay Gruden gets fired. I’m silly like that.
To see the perfect drafts for all 32 teams, click here.
Round 1, Pick 17: Jabril Peppers, Safety, Michigan
2016: 66 tackles, 13 for a loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass defense, 27 rushes, 167 yards, three touchdowns, two catches, three yards
In a 3-4 style defense, a player like Peppers gives you a ton of options. Peppers worked out with the linebackers and safeties at the NFL combine and played a hybrid of both positions at Michigan. Teams have experienced success with this type of player in the NFL and Peppers will probably be the best of all of them the second he steps out on the field. He’s likely one of the best, all-around athletes in this draft and step right into the starting strong safety spot on day one.
Round 2, Pick 49: Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State
2016: 102 tackles, seven for a loss, two sacks, five passes defended, two forced fumbles
Will Compton and Mason Foster were tackling machines for the Redskins last season, with each guy surpassing 100 tackles. The problem for Washington is both men will be free agents in 2018 and Foster will be entering his eighth season. The Redskins drafted Su’a Cravens out of USC last season to shore up the position and McMillan not only adds more insurance at inside linebacker, but at 6-2 and 243, has the size and skills to play outside linebacker in Washington’s 3-4 if called upon.
Round 3, Pick 81: Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
2016: 98 catches, 1,730 yards, 17 touchdowns, six carries, 36 yards
The Redskins had a mass exodus at the wideout position, losing both starters in free agency. They still have Jamison Crowder in the slot, but that’s where he’s going to stay. On the outside, free agent acquisitions Brian Quick and Terrell Pryor Jr are playmakers, but hardly upgrades over he departed tandem of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Drafting Taylor gives the Redskins a chance to develop a couple starting outside wide receivers (along with last year’s first round pick Josh Doctson) for the first time since Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both flashed, then fell off the face of the earth in the late 2000s.
Round 4, Pick 114: Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State
2016: 51 tackles, 13 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, one pass defended, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles
I’m not sure why Taylor isn’t higher on some draft boards with the production he put on tape in a legit Power Five conference last season. At 6-3, 310 pounds he can play both defensive tackle and defensive end in the Redskins defense, positions Washington got next to nothing out of last season. All three of their projected starters recorded 5.5 sacks combined.
Round 4, Pick 123: Marlon Mack, RB, USF
2016: 174 carries, 1,187 yards, 15 touchdowns, 28 catches, 227 yards
Matt Jones and Chris Thompson split time in the Redskins backfield as an effective, if unspectacular tandem. Each guy averaged over four yards per carry, but there’s no reason for the Redskins to look for an upgrade in this draft and Mack could just be the guy. He can pass block and catch the ball out of the backfield and surpassed 1,000 yards all three of his seasons at USF. Last year he averaged 6.8 yards per carry. At 6-0 and 205 pounds, he’s got an NFL body and will push Thompson and Jones the minute he ties up his cleats.
Round 5, Pick 154: Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International
2016: 42 catches, 506 yards, four touchdowns, one rush, five yards
The Redskins are loaded at tight end and, the truth is, they’re too loaded. Between Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis and Niles Paul, Washington is paying out $17 million at that position this season. With Paul coming off back to back injured seasons and just showing up in eight games last year, the Skins might set him free as a cap casualty. That move will be a lot easier to make with a player like Smith on the roster.
Round 6, Pick 201: T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
2016: 120 carries, 650 yards, seven touchdowns, 29 catches, 244 yards, three touchdowns, 21 kick returns, 690 yards, two touchdowns
T.J. Logan’s blistering 4.37 40-time at the NFL Combine was no one-time thing. The kid can fly and it shows up on the film. At 5-10 and 190 pounds, he can’t be a full time running back, but what he can be is this generation’s Darren Sproles, Brian Mitchell or Dave Meggett. A third down running back, kick and punt returner that can flip a game with a single touch of the ball. For an offensive minded coach like Jay Gruden, adding a toy like Logan to the arsenal should be irresistible.
Round 6, Pick 209: Andrew Eide, OT, BYU
You can’t get out of a draft without adding a body to your offensive line. The Redskins have a solid crew already they can field, so it’s safe to wait until the sixth round and draft a developmental prospect like Eide. He’s got good foot quickness and at 6-5 and 301, coming from a road-grading offense with the Cougars, there’s a good foundation with which to work.
Round 7, Pick 220: Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston
2016: 43 tackles, four for a loss, two sacks, one interception, five passes defended, one forced fumble
Wilson missed some games last season and that’s hurt his draft stock. He still has the body type, 5-11 and 200 pounds, and skills to become a legit NFL contributor and maybe more in a couple of years.
Round 7, Pick 235: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
2016: 56.5 completion percentage, 1,929 yards, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
The Redskins drafted Nate Sudfeld to be their back up QB of the future last season and kept back up Colt McCoy and if he remains on the team, they’ll pay him $3.6 million to hold a clipboard. Beathard is my No. 10 ranked QB pre draft and he has a lot of skills that I like. I think he’d be an upgrade over Sudfeld and a guy with real potential to develop into an NFL quarterback in the right situation.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
