Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2017 (Continual Updates)
Greetings to everyone in BGO land from BBQ. The 2017 draft is history and new players, both drafted and undrafted, have been added to the team. Today we will hand out two different sets of grades – one for the team and another set for the mocks of BBQ.
Handing out grades for the team is very early at this juncture, so keep in mind that some players take a year or more to develop. Grades can fluctuate in a positive or negative direction in the coming months and years. The grades for BBQ try to reflect honesty and accuracy.
Feel free to post your own grades, evaluations, and opinions.
Let’s get right to it.
Draft Grades
Round One: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Many pundits consider Allen to be a top five player, perhaps top two. The Redskins got a franchise player and an absolute steal. Starter from day one and should have a major impact.
Team Grade: A+
BBQ had a defensive end projected for much of the mocking process. Other players were considered, but Allen was not expected to be there. We’ll be generous here.
BBQ Grade: B+
Round Two: Ryan Anderson, OLB/ILB, Alabama
Many experts felt he could be there in round three. After a couple of days spent in research, that was not too likely. Could be a starter from day one. The Redskins got an impactful player.
Team Grade: B+
BBQ focused on defensive ends, safeties, and corners in the second round. Anderson was never listed and a linebacker was never mentioned in this round.
BBQ Grade: F
Round Three: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
He may miss the first month or so of the season, but he could become the number two corner quickly. Considered a first round talent before his injury. Likely misses first month of the season and could be a starter by mid season.
Team Grade: A
We had a corner going in the first half of the draft for most of the mocking process, but rarely in the third. With that in mind, this gets a somewhat generous grade.
BBQ Grade: C+
Round Four: Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
The Redskins get their second steal of the draft and have a running back who might be an opening day starter. Figures to play a lot. Fills a major need.
Team Grade: A
We had a running back placed in rounds two through four for the vast majority of the mocks. Perine was never mentioned, but BBQ was confident one would be taken in the first half of the draft. We'll be nice with the grade.
BBQ Grade: B+
Round Four: Montae Nicholson, FS, Michigan St.
This is the first head scratcher in the draft for the Redskins. Likely would’ve been available two rounds later. Probably no more than a special teams standout, but players like that are needed.
Team Grade: D+
We mostly had defensive line as the choice with the second pick in round four. On occasion, we did have a cornerback, but no safeties.
BBQ Grade: F
Round Five: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
The Redskins needed to add depth and blocking at the tight end position and did so in the fifth round. Great value here. Should helping with blocking and on special teams.
Team Grade: A+
BBQ had him mocked several times, especially early in the process. He was listed as a player to watch. We are going to list our best grade here.
BBQ Grade: A+
Round Six: Robert Davis, WR, Georgia St.
The Redskins added height, reliability, talent, and blazing speed at wide receiver in this round. He has a decent chance to make the roster, but will likely be a game day scratch most of the season.
Team Grade: B+
We had receivers listed in the last two rounds at times, but not Davis. Much of the focus was on the offensive and defensive lines.
BBQ Grade: C+
Round Six: Chase Rouiller, C/G, Wyoming
Finding a good prospect on the offensive line is impressive. Players chosen in the last two rounds are usually for depth or special teams fortification. Probably makes the roster and will be the backup center.
Team Grade: A
BBQ focused heavily in the sixth round on offensive line depth, especially center. We never listed Rouiller specifically, but this was a good prognostication.
BBQ Grade: A
Round Seven: Josh Harvey-Clemons, SS/ILB, Louisville
He has some negatives, but has stayed out of trouble over the last couple of years. Minus the history, Harvey-Clemons would’ve been a second rounder. He will be a hybrid – playing dime linebacker and strike. Easily makes the roster and will see plenty of action this season.
Team Grade: A-
BBQ never considered a strike in the latter rounds, but did list this player as one to watch in many mocks.
BBQ Grade: B
Round Seven: Josh Holsey, CB, Auburn
There were a couple of decent defensive tackles remaining, but the Redskins made a baffling choice here. Holsey is likely practice squad material.
Team Grade: F
We never considered a corner as the last pick. The focus was centered on defensive tackles, wide receivers, and safeties.
BBQ Grade: F
Team and BBQ Grade
While we are never a huge fans of giving out a team grade immediately after a draft, it is done to get a snapshot of what the future potential holds for our Redskins. We like the focus on defense, but the defensive tackle position was neglected. Getting a good edge rusher was nice, but a true inside linebacker is still a need. Scoring a good running back was impressive, but failing to get a left guard (several were there in the fourth and fifth rounds) is a negative. The team reached for a safety in round four when an impact tight end was available. With all of this in mind, we can’t give the highest grade possible, but this was a good draft it seems.
Overall Team Grade: B+
BBQ had the toughest offseason to date. No one could’ve predicted what happened in the first round, but there were some complete misses thereafter. To be sure, there were some good prognostications as well. In the past, BBQ has had some mocks with two or three direct hits in a draft. That didn’t happen for the 2017 draft. We came up woefully short, but we’re in good company to be honest. Speaking of honest, we must post a grade.
Overall BBQ Grade: C+
We’ll try to do better next offseason.
This blog will continue to have updates until just after the final game of the preseason. We’ll focus on things like UDFAs, free agency, roster predictions, and general team updates as needed. By early June, we will likely take about six weeks off to get ready for the new season. We’ll also have the first mock of 2018 (an abbreviated version) in the coming days.
Thanks for all the nice comments and compliments of late. They are truly appreciated. We’ll continue to put the best efforts possible into the BBQ blogs. You’re more than worth it.
See you as we go along.
Hail To The Redskins!
 }})
