Fansided
Fansided

Washington Redskins in an intriguing position drafting #13 in 2018 NFL Draft

By Craig Stofko

ASHBURN, VA - JANUARY 09: Washington Redskins Executive Vice President and General Manager Bruce Allen speaks as Jay Gruden is introduced as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins at a press conference at Redskins Park on January 9, 2014 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA - JANUARY 09: Washington Redskins Executive Vice President and General Manager Bruce Allen speaks as Jay Gruden is introduced as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins at a press conference at Redskins Park on January 9, 2014 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Will the Washington Redskins come up big in the 2018 NFL Draft?

With the Jets trading up for the Colts third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft it’s looking more and more like there will be four quarterbacks coming off the board before the Washington Redskins make their first selection with the 13th overall pick.

In that, Washington will presumably have no interest in drafting any of the quarterbacks they will find themselves in a position to possibly select the ninth best player (excluding QBs) in the draft. With so many potential needs to fill this would appear to be a can’t miss for Dan Snyder’s selection committee.

Bruce Allen and his team should have no trouble adding an elite contributor to a team that desperately needs the infusion of a young superstar.

Even without a talent evaluator like Scot McCloughan to oversee the process, the Redskins should come away with an amazing player at a position of need. Or so it would seem.

Let’s drill down into the possible draft picks, and cross-reference them with the Redskins most pressing needs. Absent the four quarterbacks there are, in my opinion, eight “can’t miss” players that would fill an immediate need and start from day one.

The eight players that I believe would have Redskins fans dancing in the streets should any of them suit up in the burgundy and gold are the following:

More from NFL Draft

Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State
Derwin James, S, Florida State
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia
Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, Virginia Tech
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Bradley Chubb, OLB, NC State

These players are the 2018 NFL Draft’s Great Eight. These players are so good that it would be extremely difficult to criticise Mr. Allen, or Mr. Snyder, or whoever really makes these decisions, for picking that player with the 13th overall pick.

Sure, someone might try to make the case that with Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith already on the roster picking an edge rusher was a poor choice. Simply reminding said person that Bradley Chubb was now a Redskin should end that conversation. Anyone complaining that choosing either of the future pro bowl safeties was not a good move should just be ignored, again, merely my humble opinion.

SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson /

Quenton Nelson, it could happen, but it won’t. Still, wouldn’t it be great to watch Jon Gruden complain about taking another Guard in the first round – he wouldn’t dare. Saquon Barkley? We can dream.

Personally, I think Brashaud Breeland will play for the Redskins this year despite failing his physical with Carolina. But, even if the team ended up with Breeland, you can’t go wrong with Denzel Ward. Watching Ward’s tape is the defensive equivalent of watching Barkley’s heroics on offense.

And that leaves us the two linebackers. Try to imagine putting together an offensive game plan when you have to prepare for both Zach Brown and either Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. Not fun.

SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Vita Vea
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Vita Vea /

Unfortunately, those eight players, in addition to the four quarterbacks, will be gone by the time the 13th pick rolls around. Still, there are quite a few other excellent players that would fit very nicely on the Redskins’ roster. But, because we missed out on the great eight by one measly spot, it’s going to be anything but a no-brainer.

For example, Vita Vea or DaRon Payne? Good arguments can be made to pick either one. I think a better argument could be made that defensive tackle might not be the best use of such a high pick.

The Redskins’ current roster boasts a defensive line that, when healthy, could be rather imposing. Of course, a team can never have enough good defensive lineman, but with some of the other names still on the board is DT really the way to go? How about running back Derrius Guice or cornerback Josh Jackson? Guice is a terrific running back, and Jackson’s cover skills are to be envied by any defensive coordinator and feared by even the best opposing wideouts.

Speaking of wideouts, could the Redskins’ front office sell another first-round wide receiver to the fan base? I for one hope they don’t go in that direction. However, I think it is an option that can’t be taken off the table. The Redskins obviously want to surround their new quarterback with as many weapons as possible, and the 13th overall draft pick will almost certainly afford the team the first Wide Receiver chosen in this year’s draft.
Speaking of wideouts, could the Redskins’ front office sell another first-round wide receiver to the fan base? I for one hope they don’t go in that direction. However, I think it is an option that can’t be taken off the table. The Redskins obviously want to surround their new quarterback with as many weapons as possible, and the 13th overall draft pick will almost certainly afford the team the first Wide Receiver chosen in this year’s draft. /

Personally, I like where the Redskins are with their Wide Outs. Aside from the diminutive Jamison Crowder, who can be great if he’s not asked to do it all by himself, the Redskins’ wide receivers are tall and long and athletic. With the brilliant addition of Paul Richardson and his field-stretching speed, Josh Doctson is 6’2″ and with unbelievable athleticism has superstar written all over him.

Add to that Brian Quick, 6’3″ 218 pounds, (I did cartwheels down the hallway when he was re-signed) and Robert Davis, 6’3″ 219 pounds, and the Redskins have the kind of red zone targets that Redskin loyalists have been fantasizing about for decades. So, I don’t expect the brilliant minds in the Redskins’ war room to select a WR in the first round. Would I be surprised? Of course not.

Next: 2018 NFL Free Agency: The 10 Best Signings

I have a feeling that Allen and his buddies will be in for a long night when they hunker down on the first night of the 2018 NFL Draft and take the next step toward moving the Washington Redskins in the direction of the playoffs. Playoffs?!! Playoffs!! Yes, I said playoffs. Good luck fellas!

Home/NFL Draft