Team Needs: Offensive Line, Outside Linebacker, Secondary, Inside Linebacker

Redskins’ Selections

Round 1- 5^th overall

Round 2- 38^th overall

Round 3- 69th overall

Round 4- 105th overall

Round 5- 141th overall

Round 6- 182th overall

Round 7- 222^th overall

Good fits early:

Brandon Scherff:

Iowa’s Brandon Scherff is the premier offensive line prospect in this draft. He has the ability to play offensive tackle, but like Zack Martin last year, he best projects inside to guard. Scherff is a road grater in the run game as he dominates at the point of attack. Nevertheless, he has the ability to win with his finesse when he is working laterally as well. In pass protection, Scherff has some trouble in space, which indicates that a shift inside would be best. Scherff would step right in and be the Redskins’ second best offensive lineman and go a long way toward solidifying the unit.

Randy Gregory:

With Brian Orakpo taking his talents to Tennessee, the Redskins don’t have a bonafide pass-rush threat opposite of Ryan Kerrigan. Nebraska’s Randy Gregory would be the perfect remedy to that problem. Gregory is a dynamic athlete who demonstrates all the traits you want in an outside linebacker. He is strong at the point of attack and he knows how to keep himself clean when getting around blocks. He understands how to use his hands, but he can still improve a bit in that respect. He has the highest ceiling out of any edge-rusher in this draft and that will be hard for the Redskins to pass up.

Dante Fowler Jr.:

If the Redskins want to go with a player who will make a bigger impact early, they may look to Florida’s Dante Fowler. With his tremendous motor, Fowler makes plays that most wouldn’t even sniff. He is extremely versatile as he can line up all over the Redskins defense. He needs to work on disengaging off blocks in the run game, but has the strength and attitude to make huge strides there. He doesn’t have the ceiling of a player like Gregory, but he definitely has a higher floor, which will be extremely enticing.

Don’t Be Surprised If…

The Redskins trade out of the No. 5 overall pick in an attempt to gain more resources and possibly a pick next year. The new Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is a wild card because he no one really knows what he will do. Most of the players at the Redskins’ needs have much better value in the mid-first round and wouldn’t warrant a selection at No. 5. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the Redskins trade back and target an offensive tackle, cornerback or safety.

Potential late-round targets:

Josh Shaw:

USC Josh Shaw is an interesting target because he has the versatility to play safety and cornerback. If not for his off-field incident this year, Shaw would likely be a day two pick; however, he could now be a great value on day three. Shaw has the physicality and instincts to play either position. As a cornerback, Shaw excels in press-man coverage where he can use his size and length to disrupt routes. At safety, Shaw will use his athleticism to play between the hashes and disrupt downfield throws. Shaw would be a welcome addition to the Redskins and he could compete for a starting job in year one.

Adrian Amos:

Adrian Amos is one of the best athletes in the draft; however, he lacks the football instincts to take advantage of his physical gifts. Amos needs to learn to trust his eyes and allow his athleticism to take over and make plays. Amos is basically a big ball of clay; it will be up to his positions coaches to mold him into a contributing player in the secondary. Amos wouldn’t be able to start for the Redskins on year one, but he could definitely develop into a premier player in their secondary with some seasoning.

Jeremiah Poutasi:

Even though Utah’s Jeremiah Poutasi has played mostly at offensive tackle, he projects as a guard to the next level. Poutasi thrives in confined spaces where he can use his size and brute strength to overpower opposing defenders. Poutasi is at his best when he can play forward and work into defenders. Therefore, the short pass sets of interior offensive linemen would be a great fit for him. Even though it isn’t ideal, Poutasi could step in and start on the Redskins’ porous offensive line.

What Would Be A Good Draft:

If the Redskins can come out of the draft with two offensive linemen who have an opportunity to compete for a starting job and at least one safety with starting potential, it would be a good draft. This would immediately improve their offense as the running game would get improved running lanes and Robert Griffin III would get more time to make throws from the pocket. The Redskins have a long way to go as a team, but this would be a good start in the rebuilding process.