Washington Redskins team needs prior to the 2020 NFL Draft
By Matt Murray
Linebacker
The importance of speed and versatility for linebackers has never been as important as it is currently. The NFL has become more fast-paced and is slowly adapting more college schemes, coaches and play-calling styles. With this trend becoming more apparent every year, it is crucial that the Washington Redskins start to upgrade a talent ridden linebacker group.
This year they will have Thomas Davis, Jon Bostic, Reuben Foster and Cole Holcomb as their primary options at their three linebacker positions. With Davis and Bostic penciled in at the outside linebacker roles, Foster should be the current starting inside linebacker.
This position is something I believe the Redskins have to pursue in the draft as Davis is only on a one-year contract, Bostic is signed for two years and Foster has had plenty of concerns in the past both on and off the field.
The linebacker class in the 2020 NFL Draft is not deep. There are a few options early in the draft but it drops off relatively quickly. The top three options are worthy of first-round selections and include Isaiah Simmons, Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen.
If Simmons is in play for the Redskins they would have to look at the possibility of drafting him somewhere between the second and sixth pick as the biggest threats in the top 10 to take Simmons are the Giants (who pick at four) and Panthers (who pick at seven). The Giants are picking at four and rumors have begun to circulate they may be in the hunt for Simmons, so trading down could be detrimental to selecting him.
As for Murray and Queen there have been debates about who will go first and where exactly they could land. In this situation, I think the best place to trade down to would be before the Las Vegas Raiders select at 19, potentially with the Miami Dolphins at 18. This should give them a shot at both linebackers if not at least one should still be there at 18.
Beyond Simmons, Murray and Queen there are few more names I would watch out for during day two or the beginning of day three including Jordyn Brooks, Troy Dye, Malik Harrison and Logan Wilson.