Draft Night is here! The B&G Report posts are coming fast & furious, with the DT, WR’s and G/C positions already discussed we now rev it up! The Redskins team has multiple roster needs, but going into Draft Night prioritizing the positions of need and selecting best available is always a balancing act. Let’s take a look at the Redskins projected depth chart will look like Pre-Draft!
Immediate Needs
Defensive Line
The projected 2018 D-Line lineup
John Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Anthony Lanier, Stacy McGee and Draft Pick.
First Round Options- Vita Vea, De’ron Payne
Mid Round Options– Va Tech Tim Settle, Fort Hayes State Nathan Sheppard or NC State BJ Hill
*Drafting a NT to anchor this line vs the run has been the Hot Topic amongst Redskins fans, since the switch to the 3-4 defensive alignment. I’m a huge Vita Vea fan and believe he’s exactly what the Redskins need to shore up their line. Da’ron Payne is another prospect that I really like as a First Round option, but #13 just seems a bit high. If they can trade back a few spots, acquire an extra pick and select Payne that would be a great 1st Round for this franchise.
Now what happens if a players like Derwin James or Minkah Fitzpatrick slip to #13? Per reports the Redskins would jump at the opportunity to select a Blue Chip DB. So who’s left at DT? As mentioned above, Mid Round Prospects, Tim Settle, Nathan Sheppard (photoabove) or BJ Hill should be available in the Mid Rounds for the Skins. All three lineman are rated 5, 7 and 8 in their position by Rotoworld.com. I’m not limiting the Skins options to these three prospects, but they would fit a need and could be drafted in the 3rd-4th round. I really like what these prospects have to offer, especially under the radar Small School Prospect Nathan Sheppard. At 6’4 315 lbs Sheppard is exactly what the Redskins need, if they don’t go D-Line early in the Draft.
Interior O-Line
The projected 2018 Offensive Line Lineup
Trent Williams, Draft pick, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff and MorganMoses
First-Second Round Options- C/G Billy Price Ohio St, C/G Frank Ragnow Arkansas and G Austin Corbett Nevada
Mid-Late Round Options- Auburn Branden Smith, MSU Martinas Rankin, Va Tech Wyatt Teller, Wash St Cole Madison and Humboldt State Alex Cappa
*The Redskins can’t go into the season with another sub par LG. On the last B&G Report I mentioned how VP Doug Williams insisted that the Redskins would be fine with Arie Kouandjio at LG. I’m not buying that Kool Aid! I also talked about how Price, Corbett and my favorite lineman Ragnow (photo above) could fit in Washington. These prospects all have the ability to play Guard as well as Center. Although I listed other options in the latter rounds, I feel one of these three lineman could instantly take over at LG or even take over as the starting Center, with current starter Chase Roullier moving to LG. If none of the three is selected, a Guard still can be found later, although would require more time to develop. The best case scenario is the Redskins solve their LG issues early, so they can move onto their next position if need.
Running Backs
The projected 2018 Running Back Lineup
Samaje Perine, Kapri Bibbs, 3rd Down RB Chris Thompson and Draft Pick.
First-Second Round Options– UGA Sony Michel, USC Ronald Jones, LSU Derrius Guice, UGA Nick Chubb and SDST Rashaad Penny
Mid Round-Late Round Options– Oregon Royce Freeman, ASU Kalen Ballage, Auburn Kerryon Johnson, NC ST Nyheim Hines, Tenn John Kelly and Miami U Mark Walton
*Chris Thompson showed how dynamic he could he could be with more opportunities. Perine flashed, but had too many missed opportunities and fumbles. Bibbs seems to have taken the flare away from Rob Kelley and Coach Gruden seems to favor Bibbs, per recent comments regarding the position. Kelley will be the odd man out, but will probably be on the roster through Training Camp.
The Redskins could wait until the Mid-Late Rounds to select a RB, but we’ve been down that road before. Although I’ve made it clear my admiration for Mid Round Prospects, such as Ballage and Freeman, the Redskins need to solve the running back carousel in Round 2. If the Skins can land Jones, Chubb or Penny in Round 2, this revamped run game should be good to go!
Developmental Positions
The projected 2018 Outside Linebacker Lineup
Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Pernell McPhee, Ryan Anderson and Draft PickEarly Round Options– Boston U Harold Landry or UTSA Marcus Davenport and BSU Leighton Vander Esch
Mid-Late Round Options– FSU Josh Sweat, UGA Lorenzo Carter, LSU Arden Key, Rutgers Kemoko Turku and OKL U Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
*Although the Redskins seem set at OLB with Kerrigan/Smith as the starters, looks can be deceiving. McPhee is a low cost 1 year rental and Anderson is unproven, but looks in great physical shape compared to last offseason. I don’t expect an early round selection such as Landry, but you never know. I’m intrigued by the later Round Prospects and the Skins would be wise to Draft a late round developmental OLB, since Preston Smith could walk leave via Free Agency in 2019.
The projected Tight End 2018 Lineup
Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle and Draft Pick
*This is a group that needs youth and stability. An early round Tight End isn’t an option for Washington, but a developmental prospect is needed.
In saying that I do like Late Round TE Notre Dame Durham Smythe, Wisconsin Troy Fumagalli and MSU Jordan Thomas. All three are projects, but if any of them are available in the Late 5th-6th rounds the Redskins should make a move!
The Draft is an hour away! Stay tuned for The B&G Mock Draft!
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