Washington fared much better than expected in this Madden simulation and end up with the 18th overall pick in this mock draft. When the actual 2021 NFL Draft rolls around, I would expect Washington to be picking somewhere in the top five, but a drastic turnaround like this is possible if quarterback Dwayne Haskins takes a major step forward.
Despite picking lower than expected in this 2021 NFL Draft scenario, Washington is still able to snag a high-level prospect on the defensive side of the ball. Shaun Wade is the next elite cornerback prospect out of Ohio State and he has a chance to be as good as any of them.
Wade is a quick and athletic cornerback who shows impressive man-to-man coverage skills. He changes directions quickly, presses at the line of scrimmage extremely well and attacks the ball in the air at a high level. While he primarily lined up as a slot defender last season, that had more to do with the other talented cornerbacks on the roster (2020 first-round picks Jeffrey Okudah and Damon Arnette) than a testament to his own abilities.
Wade will likely shine as an outside cornerback for Ohio State during the 2020 season and then he will enter the 2021 NFL Draft as a high-level cornerback who we know can defend receivers on the outside and out of the slot. Washington is lacking in talent at the cornerback position and Wade is a potential star in the making. This is a logical fit and fantastic value selection for Ron Rivera and company.