During the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins built up assets to help construct the future of their franchise.
The draft of 2012 will go down in infamy for all Redskins fans. They moved up to get the second pick in the first round to obtain Robert Griffin III, giving up not just one but two future first round picks. The reward was, unfortunately, not worth the risk as RGIII was injured not once but twice during his first season, and a third time during the second season. Eventually, he was released and the rest is history.
Since that draft, every Redskins fan has been on edge with the expectation that the front office would do something negative or costly again. Having missed on picks like Josh Doctson also did not help the front office’s case. However, the NFL Draft of 2019 proved much different from years past, and the league has taken notice. Experts across the nation are saying that the Redskins have had one of the best (if not, the best) drafts of all 32 teams.
Round 1, Selection 15
Dwayne Haskins, Quarterback, Ohio State University
Grade: A
Before Kyler Murray was 5-foot-10, Dwayne Haskins was believed to be the top quarterback in the class. Standing at 6-foot-4, he is not the shifty, running quarterback that the league is shifting towards. However, the OSU quarterback has the potential to be a great pocket passer. Haskins is tall and sizable, but most notably, he is very accurate. During his time at OSU, he had a completion average of 70 percent. Haskins is a smart, respectful, and likable guy who can sling the ball and get it to where it needs to be. There is much anticipation for this young man to make his debut.
Round 1, Selection 26
Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi
Grade: A
Not even the greatest of analysts saw this move coming. Late in the first round, it was announced the Reskins had traded away the second round pick and a future second-rounder to the Colts to move back into the first round. With the 26th overall pick, the Redskins select the defensive edge rusher Montez Sweat. Sweat’s draft positioning fell after being diagnosed with a heart condition, by which he was cleared from by independent doctors. Losing Preston Smith to free agency, the team was in need of another edge rusher opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Fast, explosive, and a technical tackler, Sweat should have an instant impact on this team. It will be very interesting once he puts on more muscle for his frame is rather slender. Oh, and was it mentioned that Sweat ran a 4.41?
Round 3, Selection 12
Terry McLaurin, Wide Receiver, Ohio State University
Grade: A
This would be the third straight pick that directly filled a position of need for the average team. While not a top receiver in the class, Mclaurin is interestingly fast as a receiver should be. With 19 touchdowns over three years and a career total of 1,251 yards, the Redskins can definitely use all the help they can get at the receiver position. It also is a bonus factor that he played with Haskins so there will be a chemistry bonus when those two are on the field simultaneously.
Round 4, Selection 10
Bryce Love, Running back, Stanford
Grade: B-
With the likes of Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, and Chris Thompson, the Redskins running back corps is far from being a position of need. However, this is one of those moves whereby the talent was too good to pass up. Love is a stud and was the runner-up behind Baker Mayfield for the Heisman Trophy in 2018. Injury to his ACL in December means that it is highly likely that he does not play very much if at all during the coming season.
Round 4, Selection 29
Wes Martin, Guard, Indiana
Grade: B
The last two seasons have shown that there is no such thing as too many of one type of position, especially at the guard position for the Redskins. Martin is another lineman that can, in fact, be a factor. It is almost certain Morgan Moses will have another injury and miss some time which will open the door for the rookie guard to prove his mettle.
Round 5, Selection 15
Ross Pierschbacher, Center, Alabama
Grade: C
If you played football at Alabama, there is a good chance that you may end up on the Redskins. Though the center position is not a position of need per se, there is never a position that can have too many people. Pierschbacher is not a world beater by any stretch, but one dish he brings to the table is versatility. During an interview, Pierschbacher revealed that he did not always play center, but rather multiple positions on the offensive line. This means that if another position outside of the center goes down, Pierschbacher can be ready to fill in.
Round 5, Selection 35
Cole Holcomb, Linebacker, North Carolina
Grade: C-
Once again, not necessarily a need for the team. Holcomb is another insurance policy at that position. Holcomb recorded a total 327 tackles over the for years he spent at North Carolina. This pick could have been used for another tight end, despite all of the premier tight ends being taken early.
Round 6, Selection 34
Kelvin Harmon, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
Grade: B+
Kelvin Harmon posted on Twitter the day after the draft of a raccoon stealing food from a bunch of cats and leaving unscathed. Not a taunt, Harmon was implying the Redskins got a steal in picking him in the 6th round. Harmon has the makings of a great target. What stands out is the total reception yards and average per catch. He amassed 2,665 yards and averaged about 15.1 yards a catch, which for the Redskins means that they may have a deep threat. If not, he is at least a receiver who can generate yards after the catch.
Round 7, Selection 13
Jimmy Moreland, Defensive Back, James Madison University
Grade: B
Selecting a cornerback out of a small school was a rather decent move. The team needs help at the cornerback position, and the All-American Moreland may just be the guy to help. Moreland has shown an aptitude for locking opponents down. Last season he had five interceptions and ten pass breakups.
Round 7, Selection 39
Jordan Brailford, Edge, Oklahoma
Grade: B-
To wrap up the last of their picks, the Redskins selected Jordan Brailford, another edge rusher. More than likely, Brailford will be a back up for injury or anything of the sort. With a total of 16 sacks, 90 solo tackles, and 135 combined tackles, Brailford proves to be a competent backup. The last, but certainly not the least.
Fans and analysts agree for once on something; that this was one of the better drafts the Redskins have had in a while. The draft of 2018 was not bad at all, but this past draft showed that the Redskins are working towards being more than average. The front office showed that they can work with the people they put in place to evaluate talent and make a smart decision.
They were able to acquire not just one, but two first-round talents. In doing so, they did not burn themselves as they have in the past and protected their first-round pick for next year. Ultimately, this was not the end all be all fix, but it is a major step in the right direction. Fans should be more than excited to see how this draft class performs this season and the following thereafter.
