It’s draft day and lying season is in full effect. The Redskins are reportedly not interested in trading for Arizona Cardinals QB Josh Rosen, and people are questioning whether they will even pick Kyler Murray #1 overall. Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen are in charge of the draft and most Redskins fans are terrified of what crazyness can happen tonight. The national media is pushing this narrative while the local reporters are saying the Redskins could trade up, but would prefer not to.
Missouri QB Drew Lock, Duke QB Daniel Jones, and Ohio State Dwayne Haskins are still popular options for the Redskins if they don’t trade for Rosen. Haskins has become the clear favorite for the Redskins as his draft day “slide” is already being reported. There is plenty of smoke about a trade up for Haskins, but no one really knows what the Redskins will do tonight. Fun!
Should the Redskins still draft a QB in the 1st round? Is trading for Josh Rosen the best long-term answer this year? Which non-QB will help the Redskins most this year?
Quarterback
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
I’ve heard some rumblings from team people that suggest the Redskins could be trading for Josh Rosen, but until that deal happens, I will continue to project the Redskins grabbing their quarterback of the future. Haskins has some buzz around him for the Redskins and could be their guy. If Washington does trade for Rosen, I think the organization would target a pass-rusher here like Montez Sweat, Brian Burns or Clelin Ferrell.
Haskins (6-3, 231) has flashed the ability to be an NFL quarterback, but he struggles with consistency. In 2018, he completed 70 percent of his passes for 4,831 yards with 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Haskins struggled as a pocket passer against Penn State, but dominated Michigan’s tough defense.
Haskins has a strong arm with the potential to be a pocket passer who hurts defenses. He has a lot of talent, but there were stretches during 2018 when everything was just a little bit off with him. His decision-making was not consistent, and he made some bad plays in terms of ball security. Haskins’ field vision needs to improve, and he has to get faster at working through his progressions. His footwork also needs improvement, and his ball placement can be off at times. At other times during 2018, however, he flashed the ability to make special throws with his arm strength and placement. Haskins should have returned to Ohio State for 2019 to improve his overall play before going to the NFL, but he decided to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Haskins was only a first-year starter in 2018 and has upside to grow.
Round 2: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
The Redskins could use more receiving threats for their offense.
Campbell notched 90 receptions for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018. He totaled 40 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns in 2017. Campbell made 13 receptions for 121 yards in 2016.
Sources from multiple teams told me that Campbell has big-time ability and that they thought he would break out in 2017 if Ohio State had committed to getting him the ball. The passing limitations of J.T. Barrett held back Campbell and Ohio State’s other wideouts that season. Those sources also think Campbell has serious big-play talent for the NFL. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder is well put together with the explosive speed to take any catch the distance. The knocks that team sources have on Campbell are dropped passes and concern about his hands for the NFL. He also is viewed as a gadget player by some. Hence, he is likely to go on Day 2, similar to former Buckeye Curtis Samuel.
Round 3: Chase Winovich, OLB, Michigan
The Redskins could use another pass-rusher following Preston Smith’s departure in free agency.
In 2018, Winovich totaled 68 tackles with 17 for a loss, five sacks and a pass batted. The senior showed serious speed off the edge with the athleticism to dip underneath blockers and the strength to fight off the hands of blockers. Winovich is able to use his hands and feet at the same time while seeing the field well. With his non-stop motor, he pursues plays all over the field. His physical look and style of play resembles former Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.
Winovich (6-2, 256) is a gritty defender who was always around the ball for the Wolverines in 2017. He had an excellent year, totaling 79 tackles with 18 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. He had five sacks in the previous season. Given his length and weight issues, Winovich might be better off moving to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina
Months ago, sources told me the Redskins would receive this compensatory pick, and the NFL announced the compensatory picks just before the combine. The Redskins could use some offensive line depth.
Daley is a military college transfer who ended up becoming a solid player for the Gamecocks. After a strong senior season, Daley earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and in the 2019 NFL Draft’s weak offensive line class, he could rise. The 6-foot-5, 317-pounder has good size to him and started two straight seasons for South Carolina. Team sources tell me that Daley could be a mid-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
If the Cardinals decide to trade Josh Rosen, the Redskins will be one of the favorites to acquire him. They traded for Case Keenum, but still need a young quarterback. Rosen would make a ton of sense. If they can’t get Rosen, they’ll have to select a quarterback with this pick (or one that they trade up for.)
Haskins has a tremendous skill set, but is not a finished product at the moment. Teams don’t have first-round grades on him, so he could fall into the 20s. However, Daniel Snyder reportedly likes him, as his son went to school with Haskins, a local product.
*** OTHER 2019 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Daniel Jones/Drew Lock, QB - The other quarterbacks make sense as well.
2. Byron Murphy, CB - Charlie Campbell reported that Byron Murphy is receiving top-20 consideration. The Redskins make sense for them, given their need at cornerback.
Round 2: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
The top receivers the Redskins currently have on their roster are Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn. They obviously need to make addressing this position a priority.
Deebo Samuel has been enjoying a tremendous pre-draft process, thriving in both the Senior Bowl and the combine.
Round 3: Max Scharping, G/OT, Northern Illinois
The Redskins have also scouting offensive tackles heavily. Aside from quarterback, that’s the top position they’ve focused on this offseason. They’ll need to replace Trent Williams soon, so it makes sense to take a starter for the future.
Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
Jordan Reed has proven to be unreliable, so the Redskins will need to find a new tight end.
Washington may need to trade up to secure him, but all the information gathered in the week before the draft pointed to the Redskins really wanting Dwayne Haskins. One source inside the coaching staff said team president Doug Williams was obsessed with getting the Ohio State quarterback.
Haskins’ rise from backup to J.T. Barrett to first-rounder is impressive, as was his development in-season. There is some debate about his readiness to play in the NFL after he started just one season at Ohio State, but his accuracy and decision-making are very good. He’s a natural fit in head coach Jay Gruden’s suped-up West Coast offense.
2nd Round: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
3rd Round: Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn
Anthony Nelson, DL, Iowa
This works out beautifully for Washington, as the Redskins get their guy without having to move up. Haskins is an extremely accuratepocket passer who could learn behind Case Keenum and Colt McCoy and become an effective franchise QB.
I’m hearing that Haskins is the guy that Washington ownership and others in the organization want. This would be a massive swing up the board, but I think the Jets may be willing to bend a bit on the price in an effort to recoup what they lost in the trade up for Sam Darnold last year and accumulate some picks. Why would Washington feel the need to make this kind of move up? As I see it, on draft day, perception is as important as reality. Perception holds now, strongly in some corners, that the Raiders are considering Haskins at No. 4. Whether they are or not, I don’t know. I do know that it’s helping the Jets.
Dan Snyder gets to pick the quarterback of the future from his backyard in Maryland. Haskins’ family moved to Maryland from New Jersey at the start of his high school years, and Snyder’s son and Haskins both went to high school at the Bullis School in Potomac, Md. Picking Haskins could give Snyder the local-guy-makes-good story the franchise obviously would love. I found this piece of footage from for NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky quite helpful and revealing about Haskins.
Again, I didn’t project true trades in this mock moving teams around. But if the rumors are true the Bruce Allen has “taken over the first round” for Washington, a quarterback like Haskins might be the target.
Dwayne Haskins is our No. 1 quarterback but he could find his way to the middle of the first round if the Giants truly aren’t interested in grabbing him at No. 6. The Redskins won’t let him get past them here; as CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has been reporting since the combine, Washington loves Haskins and could even trade up for him. Put another way: No one believes Case Keenum or Colt McCoy are long-term answers, and it’s unclear when Alex Smith will be cleared to play football again. Haskins is a traditional pocket passer who completed 70 percent of his throws and tossed 50 touchdowns in 2018.
The Redskins SHOULDN’T take a quarterback, because they have many more issues, but I can see them thinking the only way to save their jobs is to take one.
CBS Sports(White)(Trade up to #3)
The Redskins seem like the best bet to make a bold move up for a QB, and pulling this off will cost them a first-round pick next year plus multiple Day 2 picks. Will it be worth it? Only time will tell.
CBS Sports(Trapasso)(Trade up to #3)
Mike Maccagnan worked for the Redskins from 1995 to 2000, so his time overlaps with Daniel Snyder’s ownership of the club for a year. And Haskins has said he’s ‘pretty good friends’ with Snyder’s son. The Jets get their wish and trade back.
I have been reporting on this match since the combine and, for once, in this instance, good fortunes shine upon the Skins QB room. I would not be surprised in the least if they moved to 3 or 8 or elsewhere to make sure they grab Haskins, but in this exercise he falls right to them.
The Redskins are one of the many wild cards of the draft, and I’m expecting chaos with owner Dan Snyder “taking over” the first round of the draft. One of my bold predictions is the Redskins moving all the way up to 3rd overall to take Haskins, but they might not have to go that high up to draft him.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LIONS. I’m hearing the Lions want to move out and the Redskinswant Haskins. So, this trade would make plenty of sense.
The ‘Skins could move up to grab their quarterback of the future or hope Haskins falls to them due to a surprising draft-day slide.
There’s a lot of chatter about the Redskins trying to move up for a quarterback. Some believe their target is Haskins, others believe it’s Daniel Jones.
Washington sweats through the Giants’ first pick and opts not to trade up. The Redskins stay at 15, where Haskins awaits them. Getting Haskins without having to give up the farm would be a win if the Ohio State QB is indeed -- as I’m hearing -- their guy.
There are a myriad of directions the Redskins could conceivably go with this pick, but with the draft nearing a signal caller seems to have emerged as the favorite. That makes total sense because there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty at quarterback in Washington following Alex Smith’s gruesome and quite possibly career-ending leg injury. At different times they’ve been linked to Haskins, Daniel Jones of Duke and Drew Lock of Missouri. If the Redskins and their owner Daniel Snyder really do covet Haskins securing his services may require a trade up into the Top 10.
In a matter of a few months Haskins went from making his first college start for the Buckeyes to being projected as a first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. As the one-and-only Mel Kiper, Jr. would say: Talk about a meteoric rise! Haskins, a redshirt sophomore, is understandably raw as a one-year starter, although that didn’t hinder Mitchell Trubisky on Draft Day. Otherwise Haskins checks a lot of boxes, including size, a strong arm with a quick, efficient delivery, good accuracy, solid decision making and a high football IQ. Some patience and development will be required, but the potential long-term payoff is enormous.
Jay Gruden’s club would get its fondest wish if this scenario comes true, and it could even attempt a slight trade up in pursuit of Haskins if need be. Come what may of Alex Smith, Colt McCoy and Case Keenum in D.C. this season, the future would belong to Haskins.
New York Post(Trade up to #10)
Forget that Alex Smith’s future is in jeopardy. Forget that Case Keenum is a Band-Aid. Daniel Snyder’s son is this quarterback’s friend.
The Draft Network(Sikkema)(Trade up to #7)
I’ve been told Dan Snyder is “taking over the first round.” And by “I’ve been told” I meant I read it on Twitter.
There is, however, an underlying connection Washington has with Haskins that makes me believe he’s the man they’re targeting in a trade up. I don’t think the trade up will be as drastic as getting to No. 3, as that would require a lot more capital, but I think that swapping first round picks while giving Jacksonville an extra second rounder this year and a second rounder next year could be enough to make the move. Maybe have to throw in one of Washington’s third rounders this year, too. But I think this deal gets done one way or the other.
Jay Gruden said that the player they’re going to select in the first round, regardless of position, is going to have to play right away. If that’s a quarterback, which I think is the ideal target, they’re not going to sit around and wait until No. 15.
The Draft Network(Crabbs)(Trade up to #8)
SURPRISE! The Redskins - Haskins connection got hot on Wednesday and there’s enough dots here to connect that suggest it’s a legit possibility. Aiding this move is the fact that the Lions -- who like Jonah Williams quite a bit -- miss out with the Jaguars’ pick right in front of them. Trade back and regroup for Detroit, a young franchise quarterback for Washington.
Rotoworld(Silva)(Trade up to #8)
Alex Smith’s career is threatened by his Theismannian leg injury. 32-year-old backup Colt McCoy is coming off a broken leg that required multiple surgeries. Case Keenum is a one-year bridge at best. If the Redskins can’t spin a pre-draft deal for Josh Rosen, they’ll certainly be in the early-round quarterback market. Rumors circulated throughout Tuesday and Wednesday that the Skins are smitten enough with Haskins to seriously consider trading up to secure him. The Lions want to trade down.
Pro Football Focus(Renner)(Trade up to #11)
The Redskins jump the QB-needy Dolphins to get their guy to develop.
Round 2: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Round 3: Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn
Draft Wire(Easterling)(Trade up to #9)
NFL Trade Rumors(Trade up to #8)
2nd Round: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
This was the toughest pick of the bunch. Remember: I’m not projecting trades here, which could blow up everything. If Lock or Haskins is still on the board at No. 15, though, I expect Washington to go with a quarterback. Lock has a high ceiling.
This one could go in any number of directions, including drafting Duke’s Daniel Jones, who is believed to be the preferred quarterback of the division rival Giants. They could also take a pass-rushing outside linebacker like Brian Burns and try to deal a third-round pick for Arizona’s Josh Rosen. But they could also opt for Lock, who has a big arm but some accuracy issues.
Turning to a strong-armed but unsteady passer in the aftermath of Alex Smith’s leg injury would be quite the sea change for Washington’s offense, and perhaps a somewhat welcome one given the dearth of big plays from the passing attack last season.
You’ve heard Haskins’ and Jones’ names in connection to Washington, but not Lock’s. Thus, the Mizzou quarterback is plugged in here. I don’t think the team moves up unless ownership forces it. If the team doesn’t go quarterback, dropping down for Darnell Savage is my bet.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is said to be taking an active role in the team’s approach to its first-round selection, particularly in connection with the search for a long-term answer at quarterback.
Washington has the proverbial dry powder to trade up to #3 with the Jets, potentially in exchange for picks #15, #46, #76, and #96, or something along those lines. Whether such a deal actually takes place is another matter; would the Jets be okay with sliding all the way back to #15?
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Quite frankly, I’m not as high on Jones as most. I do not have a first round grade on him due to his average arm strength. He clearly possesses the size, mobility and I.Q. to be successful, however, and is a clean schematic fit in Jay Gruden’s offense. With Alex Smith ailing, the Redskins are as desperate for QB help as anyone and may, instead, look to trade up for one of the better options.
There is pre-draft talk that they might make a move to go get Jones. In this mock, they don’t have to do so. Jones is a player NFL scouts love a lot more than the draft analysts do.
Jones is the most pro-ready QB in the 2019 class.
Sounds like owner Daniel Snyder is determined to take a quarterback, which guarantees it will turn out disastrous.
Big, athletic quarterback with good accuracy in the short and intermediate areas but spotty downfield touch.
SHADES OF: Blake Bortles
During the first half of the 2018 NFL season, the Washington Redskins were the class of the NFC East, leading the division through the halfway mark. However, during their game against the Houston Texans, quarterback Alex Smith saw his leg snapped in half, and with it, came any hope of the team actually winning the division.
Looking forward to next season, Smith has already been ruled out, and the team has decided to bring in Case Keenum to take over as a starting quarterback. While Keenum has shown that he can be good in spurts at the NFL level, he is not a long-term answer at the position, and they should look to bring in a signal-caller with the No. 15 overall pick.
While some people do not believe that he is a first round talent, Daniel Jones is a name that is starting to get floated around a lot, and the Giants may take him at No. 17 overall. However, he may not make it that far, as he would be a solid fit in Washington with head coach Jay Gruden.
The Redskins do have the talent to be a solid team next season, and it will be interesting to see how Keenum does in his first season under center in our Nation’s Capital. If they decide to give Keenum the year to start, and bring in Jones to sit behind him, they may finally have their long-term answer at the quarterback position, and that would be the best thing for this organization moving forward.
Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
*Redskins trade down to #23 with the Texans who select OT Andre Dillard
That would be the 54th overall pick, which Sobleski accepted on the Redskins’ mock behalf. This is an ambitious trade up for an athletic three-year starter in Dillard who killed it at the combine and appears to have the pass-blocking skills and physical traits required of a stalwart NFL left tackle.
The Washington Redskins achieved two goals by trading down from the 15th to 23rd overall pick.
First, the team positioned itself to get better value for a quarterback it likes. West Virginia’s Will Grier is a mature prospect who can immediately push veteran Case Keenum and compete for the starting spot.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 24-year-old signal-caller tied for first with Missouri’s Drew Lock by making 33 big-time (or NFL-caliber) throws last season. Grier also posted a 76.6 adjusted completion percentage.
Second, extra picks acquired in the trade will help Washington supplement a subpar roster. The team owns 10 selections. More draft capital will help the front office address problem areas at wide receiver, guard, linebacker and cornerback.
Wide Receiver
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Redskins have a couple short-term Alex Smith contingencies in Case Keenum and Colt McCoy and if they don’t target a quarterback later in the draft, trading for Rosen would be an option, too. Using this pick instead to go after a true No. 1 go-to receiver makes a lot more sense. Metcalf lived up to his reputation as a beast (6-3, 228 pounds) at the Combine with his blazing 40-yard dash time (4.33), high number of bench-press reps (27) and amazing vertical (40 1/2 inches). He is a classic size/speed prospect, and then some.
I wouldn’t rule out Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen doing something absurd for a quarterback, but if they stay put, they could simply over-draft Metcalf because they have one of the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL.
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
The team has been trying to find that true top option at wideout for ages but can finally call off the search in landing Brown. With Washington seemingly in full rebuild mode in 2019, there’s no rush to get him back on the field right away either.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Do the Redskins trade up for a quarterback here? It’s tempting, though given Jay Gruden’s belief that he can take an average to below-average quarterback and make him great, it’s just as likely this team waits until the second or third day and invests in a developmental guy. If that’s the case, at least Gruden could get his hands on the kind of tight end that is generally mandatory in the ultimate version of his offense. Hockenson isn’t as precise a route runner as his Iowa teammate Noah Fant, but the praise of his blocking is no hype, and he has the wherewithal to take Gruden’s complex concepts to the field in convincing fashion.
Outside Linebacker
Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State
Let us assume Case Keenum is indeed the 2019 starter and is serviceable. Washington is admittedly in a win-now mode, and what is the best way to cover for a struggling offense? A stout defense. Washington doesn’t have to score a lot of points — just more than their opponents. The loss of edge presence Preston Smith to the Packers needs to be addressed, and the hyper-athletic Burns is the guy to do it.
Round 2: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
Still without a quarterback, Washington rides out Case Keenum in 2019. The receiving cupboard is barren, making Ridley a wise investment to fill a major need. Hakeem Butler could be in play if the brass prefers his size, but Ridley is the smarter choice.
Many are thinking QB here, and that’s certainly a possibility. But, the selection of Burns gives Washington a pass rusher who can complement, and benefit from, the fellas from ‘Bama inside (Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne). Veteran edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan also applauds the pick.
Clellin Ferrell, OLB, Clemson
Pro Football Focus(Collinsworth)
I keep thinking this is a trade pick, Josh Rosen, or maybe a brother trade for Derek Carr if the Raiders draft a quarterback. Regardless, the Redskins seem stuck this year and the clock is ticking on Jay Gruden, so I don’t see drafting a rookie quarterback for the future. I can’t justify doing anything but taking the best player on the board which I will say is Ferrell. His work ethic and hustle, with a good inside pass-rush, will never make you regret drafting him. This is the toughest pick so far.
The Redskins and their Quarterback situation will dictate how accurate many mock drafts are, and the one thing that is pretty much certain is that they will have a new starting Quarterback by the end of the draft. My guess? Josh Rosen. I personally think Rosen is worth a first rounder, and apparently the Cardinals are holding out for one. If I’m the Cards, I would actually prefer more picks (maybe a 2nd, 3rd, and future 2nd?) to build up the whole team where this draft class is deepest. I can see a team like the Redskins, who have an extra 3rd, as willing to play ball. Assuming they do end up with Rosen, I think Ferrell has to be the pick here. Kerrigan can’t do it all on his own, and Ferrell fits the old Preston Smith mold of a big, strong, solid rush end incredibly well. Even if they do have to give up their 2nd and 3rd round picks, leaving Day 2 of the draft with a new franchise QB and pass rusher has to be seen as a major victory for this team.
Rashan Gary, OLB, Michigan
The rumor mill has the Redskins picking QB Dwayne Haskins, should he fall. Here the team picks Rashan Gary, a guy with upside potential to be better than Quinnen Williams and Ed Oliver - and the downside potential to be a bust.
Round 2: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Round 3: Emmanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
The Redskins have to do something at quarterback. Figure they trade for Rosen if they can’t land Haskins. They still need to find targets, but the draft will have solid options in later rounds, and they need to boost the pass rush.
Poll
Who would you pick for the Redskins in the 1st round?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
-
2%
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
-
3%
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
-
11%
Will Grier, QB, West Virginia(after trade down for #23, #56)
-
2%
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
-
3%
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
-
27%
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
-
20%
Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State
-
4%
Clellin Ferrell, OLB, Clemson
-
2%
Rashan Gary, OLB, Michigan