Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2016 (Continual Updates)
Here is our first Redskins mock for 2016. Free agency could determine what happens in the draft and we’ll focus more on that in the coming weeks. BBQ will have a couple of mocks before March 9 (the official opening of FA), but the frequency will pick up shortly thereafter.
Feel free to offer your own ideas about the draft, free agency, team cuts, and anything else related to these subjects. Too, we’d like to see your mocks if you are so inclined.
Without any further delays, let’s take a look at the first mock for 2016.
Round One: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
One of the best defensive linemen to ever play for the Crimson Tide. He can play inside or slide outside as a 3-4 end. A run stuffer. A pass rusher. Great attitude. A dominating force who can overwhelm an offensive line. Robinson is everything you could want in a defensive lineman and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BR7EyecqwM
Other Possible Targets:
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St.
Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio St.
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Jalen Ramsey, FS, Florida St.
Round Two: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Unquestionably, the absolute best deep threat receiver in the 2016 draft. With blazing speed, Fuller is able to easily get separation from defenders. Numbers are a bit down from the previous season, but that is due to below average quarterback play. Can stretch the field for other receivers and tight ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTZUMsRdfTQ
Other Possible Targets:
Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
Sebastian Tretola, G, Arkansas
Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio St.
Denver Kirkland, G, Arkansas
Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame
Round Three: Jeremy Cash, SS, Duke
Free safeties are usually more valued by football teams than strike safeties. Here is one strike that you simply can’t ignore. From the program that produced Jamison Crowder, Duke has a real gem in Jeremy Cash. He started out at Ohio St., but transferred to the ACC program after his freshman season. He has steadily improved on his coverage skills and should only get better. A true playmaker. Can suddenly change the direction of a game with his ball hawking skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3-dHxAdKk
Other Possible Targets:
Chris Jones, DE, Mississippi St.
William Jackson, CB, Houston
Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
Landon Turner, G, North Carolina
Jayron Kearse, FS, Clemson
Round 4: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
Alabama’s national championship team is likely to send many players to the NFL and Ryan Kelly is another of those prospects. Provided leadership and opened up huge lanes for the Crimson Tide’s formidable running game. Good in pass protection, but could be a bit more polished. He will need to add about fifteen to twenty pounds of bulk to his tall frame, but that should not be an issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6fbGqi8oIw
Other Possible Targets:
Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan St.
Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford
Round Five: Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
Indiana is known as a basketball mecca and the football team is something of an afterthought. The last few years Indiana has seen some good fortunes on the gridiron and Howard is a big reason for that buzz. Even with Tevin Coleman (now with the Atlanta Falcons), his backfield running mate last year, Howard was a running machine and still rushed for more than 1,500 yards. He is overlooked because of being in a weak program, but has the size and strength to excel at the next level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otzk5QUSjAY
Other Possible Targets:
Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin
Elijah Shumate, SS, Notre Dame
Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia
Round Six: Jared Norris, ILB, Utah
Norris has been a good linebacker for the Utes during his career in the PAC-12. He has good skills in the running game, but needs to work a bit on his pass defense. A true tackling machine that doesn’t get as much attention as his counterparts at more notable conference schools. A true team leader. Has the intangibles to be a good special teams player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZDA2Tvq98
Other Possible Targets:
Jonah Austin, G, Nicholls St.
Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah St.
Matt Ioannidis, DE, Temple
Evan Boehm, C, Missouri
Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford
Round Seven: Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana
The Redskins take another Hoosier in round seven, a project with some decent upside at the quarterback position. The fundamentally sound Sudfeld had a good senior season with nearly 3,200 yards passing. He tossed twenty-four touchdowns and just five interceptions. The numbers were twenty-one and nine for his junior campaign. He would obviously be a candidate for third string, but could quickly become a reliable backup within a year or two. The one negative would be that the 6’5”, 240 lb. Sudfeld floats his long passes a bit too much – something that should be easily corrected.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UG6y2yLcnA
Other Possible Targets:
Sedrick Flowers, G, Texas
Jimmy Bean, OLB, Oklahoma St.
Antwaun Woods, DT, Southern Cal
Travis Wilson, QB, Utah
Keenan Reynolds, RB, Navy
Round Seven: Devon Johnson, RB/FB, Marshall
Johnson is a big, bruising back who could make the team as a fullback and special teams player. He was also a tight end at one point for the Thundering Herd. Fought through injuries this past season and that limited his yardage and time on the field. In previous seasons his numbers were much higher. Could make the team if he can transition to all four phases of special teams. Goes by the nickname of “Rockhead”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRoL0B4W8fI
Prospects Contacted, Interviewed, Visited:
East-West Shrine game - EW
Senior Bowl - SB
Combine – NFLC
Team Pro Day – TPD
Team Visit – TV
Private Workout – PW
Ken Crawley, CB, Colorado – EW
Elijah Shumate, SS, Notre Dame – EW
Keith Lumpkin, OT, Rutgers – EW
Keenan Reynolds, RB, Navy – EW
Joe Thuney, OG, N.C. St. – EW
Juston Burris, CB, N.C. St. – EW
Josh Ferguseon, RB, Illinois
Tajae Sharpe, WR, Massachusetts-Amherst
Terrance Smith, ILB, Florida St. – EW
There is your first mock for 2016 and prospect lists. The draft is just three months away. Free agency begins on March 9. We’ll also post who the Redskins contact and who they interview at the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine, and combine. See you as we go along.
Hail To The Redskins!