Washington Redskins’ Seven-Round Simulated Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft later this week, it is time to unveil my completely unscientific Washington Redskins’ mock draft. Through a site called Fanspeak.com, I used their simulator to draft for the Redskins, while the computer (using Fanspeak’s projection system) picked for the other 31 teams

1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
I was very surprised to see Elliott fall into the twenties. Elliott is clearly the top running back and is widely regarded as a potential top-ten pick. I quickly scooped him up at 21. Running back is not the Redskins’ biggest need (WR Laquon Treadwell and ILB Reggie Ragland were still available), but Elliott’s vision, physicality, and pass-blocking ability are so rare that I had to take him. Plus, with incumbent tailback Matt Jones providing more questions than answers last season, Elliott will be able to step in as the starter from day one and diversify the offense.

2. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
In the second round, I snagged Joseph, who draftnik Mike Mayock of NFL.com believes is second-best safety in the draft. Joseph tore his ACL in practice last season, but is an absolute beast when healthy. He is a ball-hawk in the secondary (five interceptions in his four games last year), and plays the run well. After cutting Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson, the Redskins have a massive hole at safety. Expect the ‘Skins to target Joseph if he is still on the board in the second.

3. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Back to the Buckeye well. The Redskins are looking for someone to clog the line of scrimmage, and Washington could be that guy. He is fairly athletic, and is an above-average interior pass rusher. However, questions remain about his endurance, motor and character (he was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl after being arrested for soliciting a prostitute in December). His talent might be worth the risk in the third round, especially if GM Scot McCloughan feels strongly enough about the veteran leadership in the Redskins’ locker room.

4. Evan Boehm, C, Missouri
The Redskins are lacking both skill and depth at center, with the overmatched Josh Leribeus holding that spot for most of 2015. Boehm played 52 straight games at Missouri, and is one of the toughest lineman in this draft, something McCloughan and Jay Gruden will surely love. He has smarts and leadership, two critical assets for a center. He might not have top-of-the-line athleticism, and he doesn’t possess a particularly long frame, but his power, run-blocking, and intangibles are things every team could use.

5. Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
The Redskins may very well take a wide receiver at the top of this draft. Both Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson could be gone after 2016, and with up to six game-changing receivers available in the first two rounds, Washington might go with a pass-catcher early. But in my simulated mock draft, I held off until the fifth round. Mitchell was the number one option at Georgia, and has sure hands and runs clean routes. He isn’t particularly big (listed at 6’0) or fast, but he is tough over the middle and is able to high point the ball on throws down the field. Mitchell is the type of late-round steal who could become a starter down the road.

6. James Bradberry, CB, Samford
When talking about new addition Josh Norman, McCloughan said that teams can never have enough corners, which the Redskins saw first-hand in 2015. Bradberry has good size for a corner, but is extremely raw in man coverage. He struggles with his footwork, especially in press coverage, and is a little unsteady against quicker receivers. Still, he is the type of player worth taking a flyer on in sixth round. If the ‘Skins can coach him up a little, he could be a useful piece in the secondary.

7. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
Even though Washington took Elliott in round one, the seventh round is often about taking the best player available. Drake battled injuries at Alabama, but some scouts think he is even more talented than his Heisman-winning counterpart Derrick Henry. Drake is one of the shiftiest players in the draft and has the ability to bust any play for a long touchdown. His pass-catching is shaky, and he can sometimes juke himself into a loss, but his explosive play-making ability merits the late-round selection.

7. Alonzo Russell, WR, Toledo
Russell has a great size, and is excellent at high pointing the ball. He had issues with laziness on the field and was reportedly in the doghouse at Toledo, but his size and raw skills might still be enough to get him drafted.