2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft with counterintuitive picks throughout

The consensus second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is Chase Young, the defensive end from Ohio State. But the Washington Redskins will have to face facts sooner or later: left tackle Trent Williams is not coming back. This notion that he would be cajoled back by money or punishment seems to have proven unfruitful and the team will need to consider this heading into the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

It doesn’t matter how much has changed at the organization or how personable new head coach Ron Rivera is. Williams has seen enough in Washington and is sticking to his guns. His agent recently asked the team (again) to let Williams either be traded or released. The team seems to be out of options at this point, as the public and private ovations for him to return have failed.

Starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins needs a long-term solution at the left tackle position. His blindside cannot be left vulnerable for a second season in a row. They had Donald Penn play left tackle in 2019, who did a good job all things considered. But he is 37-years old and cannot be the long-term solution at the position.

Haskins was sacked 29 times in nine games last year, according to Pro Football Reference. Compare that to division rival quarterback Dak Prescott, who was sacked just 23 times in 16 games.

Drafting Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas, the Redskins would be getting a young, strong blindside protector for the foreseeable future on the offensive line. Thomas has all the range and strength an NFL team is looking for at the left tackle position. He can also hold up edge rushers and push them way off course, giving Haskins plenty of time to throw.

At 6-foot-5, 320-pounds, Thomas can keep Haskins protected and help running backs steer clear of the defensive line on the left side.

Having an elite edge rusher like Young would be nice for the Redskins. But they drafted Montez Sweat in the 2019 NFL Draft to be an edge rusher, as an outside linebacker in their old 3-4 defense. Now that the team has switched to a 4-3 base defense, Sweat can stick to doing what he does best, which is pass-rushing.

If Young joins the Redskins it would mean veteran defensive end Ryan Kerrigan would be losing snaps on defense as well. According to NBC Sports, Rivera said Kerrigan was part of the team’s plans going forward. It wouldn’t be outlandish to have three elite edge rushers on the team in 2020 and it would allow the defensive line to stay fresh in games.

But considering the holes that this roster has (particularly on offense), dedicating that many resources to the edge rusher position would be egregious from a roster-building perspective.

Thomas would give Haskins a fighting chance in 2020 and help set a foundation on the offensive line for years to come. If the Redskins are seriously dedicated to Haskins as the quarterback of the future, they must invest in his protection on the offensive line.