Washington Redskins capsule
TEAM DRAFT NEEDS
Edge rusher
The No. 2 pick puts first-year Redskins coach Ron Rivera in position to draft his version of Julius Peppers – picked second overall in 2002 by the Carolina Panthers – in Ohio State’s Chase Young. Young is considered more polished than last year’s No. 2 pick, Buckeyes teammate Nick Bosa.
Offensive tackle
Trent Williams will be 32 by the season’s start, but Washington can’t count on him showing up given his trade demands. This draft is rich at the position and Washington might use trade assets to sneak back into the first round.
Wide receiver
Terry McLaurin proved to be a fortuitous third-round investment with 58 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie – all on an offense with no other threats. He’s ideally a second receiver and the Redskins are looking for size and playmaking ability outside.
Quarterback
Dwayne Haskins, the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft, is already fighting for his job. Speculation the Redskins could draft Tua Tagovailoa at No. 2 isn’t entirely surprising, given the complete overhaul of the front office and coaching staff. The team traded for Kyle Allen, who knows offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s offense.
Cornerback
TCU’s Jeff Gladney and Utah’s Jaylon Johnson are on the list if the Redskins don’t jump at a cover man early.
Tight end
Chronic concussions forced the Redskins to part with Jordan Reed. Jared Pinkney of Vanderbilt is a middle-round target but they could also make a run at Washington’s Hunter Bryant.
–FIVE-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY
Some have departed, but the Redskins have picked plenty of solid players. Top 2015 pick Brandon Scherff needs a new contract, while fellow class members Preston Smith, Jamison Crowder and Austin Reiter are all starting elsewhere. The 2016 draft is mostly gone, but Kendall Fuller and Su’a Cravens netted trade compensation, and Matt Ioannidis is one of the NFL’s most underrated disruptors. The 2017 class produced a slew of starters, though Jonathan Allen has yet to go from good to great. The 2018 group appears similar, as Da’Ron Payne still has room to grow, and Derrius Guice must get healthy. Last year’s first-rounders, Dwayne Haskins and Montez Sweat, need development, but Terry McLaurin has already proven to be a gem.
Best pick: DT Matt Ioannidis, R5 2016 – A great late-round find, Ioannidis has 20.5 sacks and 44 QB hits over the last three seasons and is signed to a very reasonable three-year, $21.75 million extension.
Worst pick: WR Josh Doctson, R1 2016 – Between injuries and ineffectiveness, Doctson never caught on, getting released before the 2019 season.
–2019 STATISTICS
TOTAL OFFENSE: 274.7 (31st)
RUSHING: 98.9 (22nd)
PASSING: 175.8 (32nd)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 385.1 (27th)
RUSHING: 146.2 (31st)
PASSING: 238.9 (18th)