Free Agency, Mock Drafts, Camps, Roster Predictions, 2018

Agreed, we never found the anchor inside at NT.

But we also never really developed a linebackers corps that looked like what the Steelers, Ravens, or other top 3-4 defenses were running in the 2000's.

Our inside linebackers were considerably smaller than the guys like Levon Kirkland or Ray Lewis that played at 255 pounds and could stand up in the running game.

On the outside, we found Ryan Kerrigan as a 100% effort consistent performer but not an elite athlete that was going to single-handedly alter another team's protections or scheme. And he came at the cost of a middle #1 pick.

We tried again several times to find that edge rusher to play on the other side that was going to be that uber athletic presence but the results have fallen short. Preston Smith has the physical talent but is one of the more inconsistent players on the entire defense.

Vel Vita fits that NT perfectly for us. That being the case, he'll be long gone by 13 just because it's our luck. If House of Payne fits that bill then I'm completely cool with him too. The team MUST get a true nose though and this year. May as well be running a 2-6-3 alignment if not.

Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, Mock Drafts, Camps, Roster Predictions, 2018​

Greetings from BBQ to everyone in BGO land and guests from social media – we hope you become a member here.

Today we bring you our latest mock of the 2018 off-season and there are several changes, including a trade. The draft arrives on Thursday and the Redskins are evaluating many prospects in these last few days. This week we are posting a mock each day, including latter round mocks Friday and Saturday morning.

The format for the mocks this off-season will feature shorter descriptions this year for each player. Time constraints from the fall and early winter have forced us to cram a lot of research into a smaller period of time.

Feel free to offer your own ideas about the draft, free agency, team cuts, team additions, and anything else related to these subjects. Too, we'd like to see your mocks if you are so inclined.

An extra note: These mocks may not necessarily be what BBQ wants or what the members at BGO may prefer. These mocks are designed to try and get into the minds of the Redskins brain trust and see what they will do.

Without any further delays, let's take a look at the latest mock of 2018.

Team Needs:
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End (?)
Left Guard
Defensive Tackle
Inside Linebacker (?)
Strike or Free Safety (?)

Round One: Trade
The Redskins trade down a few positions in round one and pick up a third rounder.

Round One: Da'Ron Payne, DT/DE, Alabama
Payne is the space-eating defensive tackle that Jim Tomsula has been coveting since his arrival at Redskins Park, but the Crimson Tide prospect can play all along the line.
Other Possible Targets:
Leighton Vander Esch, OLB, Boise St.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/SS/FS, Alabama
Derrius Guice, RB, Louisiana St.
Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia
Derwin James, FS, Florida St.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

Round Two: Ronald Jones, RB, Southern California
The Redskins can't continue to rely on mid round prospects at running back and this is the year when the Redskins make a firm commitment to the running back corps.
Other Possible Targets:
Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
Will Hernandez, G, Texas-El Paso
Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego St.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Josh Sweat, OLB, Florida St.
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Marcus Davenport, OLB, Texas-San Antonio

Round Three: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St.
Guess who will not be ready for OTAs? Or mini-camp? Or possibly training camp? Maybe the 2018 season? Guess who may move on from that player?
Other Possible Targets:
Harrison Phillips, DE/DT, Stanford
Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn St.
Malik Jefferson, ILB, Texas
Duke Ejiofor, DE/OLB, Wake Forest
Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
Andrew Brown, DE, Virginia

Round Four: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
Overlooked by many pundits, but certainly known to football scouts. Tall frame – will need to add about twenty pounds of bulk. Could start from day one.
Other Possible Targets:
Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
Scott Quessenberry, C, UCLA
Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays St.
Frank Ragnow, OC/OG, Arkansas
D.J. Chark, WR, Louisiana St.
Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford
Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, Southern California
B.J. Hill, DT, North Carolina St.
Kyzir White, SS, West Virginia
Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia

Round Five: Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
Jim Tomsula wants another big and powerful body in the middle of his defensive line and gets his wish.
Other Possible Targets:
Da'Shawn Hand, DT, Alabama
Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Mississippi
Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
Folorunso Fatukasi, DT/DE, Connecticut
Fred Warner, OLB, Brigham Young
R.J. McIntosh, DE/DT, Miami

Round Five: Siran Neal, SS/FS/CB, Jacksonville St.
A versatile defensive back who could likely step in at the corner slot position immediately.

Round Six: Oren Burks, ILB, Vanderbilt
The Redskins are able to find a hidden gem from high-brow Vanderbilt and he will likely be a special teams standout.
Other Possible Targets:
Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado St.
Cole Madison, OG, Washington St.
Sean Welsh, G/C, Iowa
David Wells, TE, San Diego St.
Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
Du'Vonta Lampkin, DT, Oklahoma
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Round Seven: Auden Tate, WR, Florida St.
Not the fastest receiver out there, but Tate tends to catch what is thrown to him. Good possession receiver. Good red zone target.
Other Possible Targets:
Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
Taylor Hearn, OG, Clemson
Tre Flowers, S, Oklahoma State
Darren Carrington, WR, Utah
Deon Yelder, TE, Western Kentucky
Will Dissly, TE, Washington
Kentavius Street, DL, NC State
Arden Key, OLB, Louisiana St.
Troy Apke, FS, Penn St.
Brad Bozeman, C, Alabama
Quin Blanding, SS, Virginia

Round Seven: Arden Key, OLB, Louisiana St.
When you have an extra seventh round pick and a high round talent falls to you because of character concerns, there are only two choices. You take a chance because cutting him would have very little impact on the cap. The reward could be very high.

Undrafted Free Agent Prospects:
Andrew Trumbetti, OLB, Notre Dame
Jester Weah, WR, Pittsburgh
Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota St.
Evan Berry, KR/FS, Tennessee
Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
Austin Golson, C, Auburn
Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech
Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Jordan Thomas, CB, Oklahoma
Teo Redding, WR, Bowling Green
Mike Love, DE/OLB, South Florida
Dorian O'Daniel, ILB, Clemson
Coleman Shelton, OG/C, Washington
Rashard Fant, CB, Indiana
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi
Nick Keizer, TE, Grand Valley St.
Quadree Henderson, WR, Pittsburgh
Eddy Peneiro, K, Florida
Cam Sergine, TE, Wake Forest
K.C. McDermott, G/OT, Miami
Drew Bailey, DE/DT, Louisville
Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
Robert Torgerson, DE, Southern Utah
Cody O'Connell, OG, Washington St.
Jeb Blazevich, TE, Georgia

There is the latest mock of the 2018 off-season. The draft will be here on Thursday. See you as we go along.

Hail To The Redskins!

That would be one hell of a haul.

BB must love him some Siran Neal - he's always got us picking him


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Not sure how I feel about him and if taking a small college prospect is a way to go in the fifth round. I doubt we go DB early or even late. Mid rounds is a real possibility, imo.

Is J. Reed that damn fragile? This needs the be dudes last yr as a skin...Mr Glass can go be an arch nemesis elsewhere.

Yes, there have been a few rumblings out there regarding Reed. He finally got the toe surgery a few weeks ago and we'll see if it was successful.

They should've traded Reed for whatever they could get. He's shown that he can't play through even minor injury. Next.

Of course - we didn't trade him. Because the Redskins are always the last ones to figure out a guy doesn't have 'it'. So we'll wait until he literally has zero value to move on. It's what we do.

Surprised at that reply about Neal BB? Figured you had some serious feelings/intel about him since he's been listed as a Skins pick in so many of your mocks.

He's not a real highly touted prospect - so why do you think the Skins are interested?

There are two or three that stand out for various reasons each year.

He is a poor man's Minkah Fitzpatrick and could carve out a niche in the league. The Redskins are still looking for a player to man the true strike position. Derwin James could do it, but I think he is better when deep. Ky Jarrett was well on his way to manning that spot for a decade. Then we hoped it would be Su'a.

I still think they are interested in such a player. That is why I have slotted him in the 5th. He could play that position and role.

Minkah to me is someone that would play opposite Norman, but could play strike if and when needed.

Do we select him? Maybe. Maybe not. However, I do think we are looking for a strike at some point later in the draft. Neal could be that player.

Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, Mock Drafts, Camps, Roster Predictions, 2018​

Greetings from BBQ to everyone in BGO land and guests from social media – we hope you become a member here.

Today we bring you our latest mock of the 2018 off-season and there are several changes, including two blockbuster trades. The draft arrives in two days and the Redskins are evaluating many prospects in these remaining hours. This week we are posting a mock each day, including latter round mocks Friday and Saturday morning.

The format for the mocks this off-season will feature shorter descriptions this year for each player. Time constraints from the fall and early winter have forced us to cram a lot of research into a smaller period of time.

Feel free to offer your own ideas about the draft, free agency, team cuts, team additions, and anything else related to these subjects. Too, we'd like to see your mocks if you are so inclined.

An extra note: These mocks may not necessarily be what BBQ wants or what the members at BGO may prefer. These mocks are designed to try and get into the minds of the Redskins brain trust and see what they will do.

Without any further delays, let's take a look at the latest mock of 2018.

Team Needs:
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End (?)
Left Guard
Defensive Tackle
Inside Linebacker (?)
Strike or Free Safety (?)

Round One: Trade
The Redskins trade down with the New England Patriots as they seize an opportunity to snag Josh Rosen. New England offers two first rounders and a third as a mini-bidding war ensued with the Cardinals.

Round One: Da'Ron Payne, DT/DE, Alabama
A player they like at 13 surprisingly falls to 23. Payne is the space-eating defensive tackle that Jim Tomsula has been coveting since his arrival at Redskins Park, but the Crimson Tide prospect can play all along the line.
Other Possible Targets:
Leighton Vander Esch, OLB, Boise St.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/SS/FS, Alabama
Derrius Guice, RB, Louisiana St.
Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia
Derwin James, FS, Florida St.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

Round One: Trade
Several teams offer to move up from the second round and the Redskins make the move. In addition to that second rounder, they add a fourth rounder as well.

Round Two: Ronald Jones, RB, Southern California
The Redskins can't continue to rely on mid-round prospects at running back and this is the year when the Redskins make a firm commitment to the running back corps.
Other Possible Targets:
Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
Will Hernandez, G, Texas-El Paso
Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego St.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Josh Sweat, OLB, Florida St.
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Marcus Davenport, OLB, Texas-San Antonio

Round Two: Billy Price, OG/C, Ohio St.
He drops a bit due to injury, but should be ready for training camp. Price would be an immediate starter at left guard or center and could man either position for twelve years or more.

Round Three: Malik Jefferson, ILB, Texas
A talented athlete who will likely move to the inside after playing OLB for the Longhorns.
Other Possible Targets:
Harrison Phillips, DE/DT, Stanford
Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn St.
Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St.
Duke Ejiofor, DE/OLB, Wake Forest
Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
Andrew Brown, DE, Virginia

Round Four: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
Less than stellar quarterback play limited his output for the Fighting Irish, but his talent is undeniable. Solid red zone target.
Other Possible Targets:
Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
Scott Quessenberry, C, UCLA
Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays St.
Frank Ragnow, OC/OG, Arkansas
D.J. Chark, WR, Louisiana St.
Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford
Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
B.J. Hill, DT, North Carolina St.
Kyzir White, SS, West Virginia
Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia

Round Four: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, Southern California
An ultra-versatile edge who knocks down passes often. Can drop back in coverage. Candidate for the hybrid role at strike safety in various packages.

Round Five: Folorunso Fatukasi, DT/DE, Connecticut
A middle round prospect who was a defensive tackle for the Huskies, but could also see time at end on the next level.
Other Possible Targets:
Da'Shawn Hand, DT, Alabama
Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Mississippi
Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
Siran Neal, SS/FS/CB, Jacksonville St.
Fred Warner, OLB, Brigham Young
R.J. McIntosh, DE/DT, Miami

Round Five: Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
A three-headed monster of Ronald Jones, Samaje Perine, and Josh Adams could be formidable. Add in Chris Thompson as the pass catching back and it would become lethal.

Round Six: Cole Madison, OG, Washington St.
The Redskins add depth to the line. Madison will need time to adjust to the NFL, but could be a starter in a year or two. Quality depth.
Other Possible Targets:
Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado St.
Oren Burks, ILB, Vanderbilt
Sean Welsh, G/C, Iowa
David Wells, TE, San Diego St.
Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
Du'Vonta Lampkin, DT, Oklahoma
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Round Seven: Auden Tate, WR, Florida St.
Not the fastest receiver out there, but Tate tends to catch what is thrown to him. Good possession receiver. Good red zone target.
Other Possible Targets:
Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
Taylor Hearn, OG, Clemson
Tre Flowers, S, Oklahoma State
Darren Carrington, WR, Utah
Deon Yelder, TE, Western Kentucky
Kentavius Street, DL, NC State
Arden Key, OLB, Louisiana St.
Troy Apke, FS, Penn St.
Brad Bozeman, C, Alabama
Quin Blanding, SS, Virginia

Round Seven: Will Dissly, TE, Washington
A tight end that goes 6-4, 270 sure would be an asset in rushing attack packages. Needs to refine his pass catching skills.

Undrafted Free Agent Prospects:
Andrew Trumbetti, OLB, Notre Dame
Jester Weah, WR, Pittsburgh
Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota St.
Evan Berry, KR/FS, Tennessee
Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
Austin Golson, C, Auburn
Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech
Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Jordan Thomas, CB, Oklahoma
Teo Redding, WR, Bowling Green
Mike Love, DE/OLB, South Florida
Dorian O'Daniel, ILB, Clemson
Coleman Shelton, OG/C, Washington
Rashard Fant, CB, Indiana
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi
Nick Keizer, TE, Grand Valley St.
Quadree Henderson, WR, Pittsburgh
Eddy Peneiro, K, Florida
Cam Sergine, TE, Wake Forest
K.C. McDermott, G/OT, Miami
Drew Bailey, DE/DT, Louisville
Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
Robert Torgerson, DE, Southern Utah
Cody O'Connell, OG, Washington St.
Jeb Blazevich, TE, Georgia

There is the latest mock of the 2018 off-season. The draft will be here on Thursday. See you as we go along.

Hail To The Redskins!

When grading Vea and Payne does one stand out more than the other? I have noticed several mocks having us taking Payne over Vea. Is the internal politicking by Alabama guys working? Just curiosity more than anything on why.

I don't follow college or research guys. Would be happy with either.

Also no QB? I thought we may draft a guy to learn from Smith.

riggins44 said:

When grading Vea and Payne does one stand out more than the other? I have noticed several mocks having us taking Payne over Vea. Is the internal politicking by Alabama guys working? Just curiosity more than anything on why.

I don't follow college or research guys. Would be happy with either.

Also no QB? I thought we may draft a guy to learn from Smith.

Click to expand...

From what I've seen, Payne is more versatile. Watching the National Championship game, dude was still causing pressure up the middle late in the game against Georgia. Late in the season, late on the biggest stage, he stepped up.

That's not a knock on Vea, and correct me people if I am wrong...Vea is a 2 down player. Yes, he may be the most apt to a true NT, but Payne can play across the line on 3rd down, anywhere.

Highly doubt Vea is the pick. NT holds little value in this defense and they are on the field for about twelve plays a game. That's just the reality of it.

Acquiring Hogan all but negates drafting a QB. We'll add a UDFA QB as a camp arm and fourth quarter specialist for the preseason games and possibly stash on the practice squad.

Burgundy Burner said:

Highly doubt Vea is the pick. NT holds little value in this defense and they are on the field for about twelve plays a game. That's just the reality of it.

Acquiring Hogan all but negates drafting a QB. We'll add a UDFA QB as a camp arm and fourth quarter specialist for the preseason games and possibly stash on the practice squad.

Click to expand...

I think both of these points are correct. Wildcard though is if some shocking drop of one of the top 4 QBs occurs. The Redskins aren't going to pass on one of those guys if they are there at 13 regardless of conventional wisdom and no matter what anyone thinks. Good QBs are just too valuable and too hard to acquire. I'm not even 100% certain we'd pass on Lamar Jackson if he happens to be there at 13.

Elephant said:

From what I've seen, Payne is more versatile. Watching the National Championship game, dude was still causing pressure up the middle late in the game against Georgia. Late in the season, late on the biggest stage, he stepped up.

That's not a knock on Vea, and correct me people if I am wrong...Vea is a 2 down player. Yes, he may be the most apt to a true NT, but Payne can play across the line on 3rd down, anywhere.

Click to expand...

I think if both Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick are gone at 13, Payne is the most likely selection. And yes - he's definitely more dynamic than Vea.

Payne had 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks his entire Alabama career.

Vea had 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks

But Vea is only a two down player?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have either of them but I think Vea is a three down player.


Someone they should seriously consider is Harrison Phillips out of Stanford. Dude is a monster on the inside.

153 tackles. 29 for loss and 16.5 sacks.

Put him beside Allen and Ioannidis and wreak havoc.

No free agency update this week as there is no activity to speak of and if something does happen, it will be added to an update next week.

We will have mocks tomorrow and Thursday. We will also have latter round mocks on Friday and early Saturday morning.

The prospects list will be re-posted on Thursday to allow you a frame of reference for players to focus on during the draft.

Thank you for all of the time you've put into this BB.

And I'm glad that doors are beginning to open for you I believe it's your true calling and something you excel at.

Here's my question/request for you:

I'm working 18 hour days--a minimum of 6 days a week. You are my source for the draft.

Are you going to post a "If someone held a gun to my head, this is my final prediction" mock?

That's what I'd like to see.

Thanks! And keep up the great work.

Thanks for the kind words. No doors ever closed really. This was just something where I took a certain path and decided to expand it a bit further. But again, thanks.

Tomorrow will be considered my final mock that involves no trades. Thursday's mock will be based on what I think could be a realistic trade. I am not attempting to pick a lower round trade as those tend to come out of nowhere and are extremely difficult to predict.

We will have a 2019 mock next week, then I am done with mocks for several months (one just prior to the season and another one during the bye).

This offseason blog will continue though as we have UDFAs to look at and the following: OTAs, rookie camp, mini-camp, free agency, training camp, preseason, roster predictions, roster evaluations, and overall team analysis. So there is much more to come.