Re: Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, Mocks, Camps, OTAs, Roster Predictions,
Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, Mocks, Camps, OTAs, Roster Predictions, 2019
Greetings from BBQ to everyone in BGO land and guests from social media – we hope you become a member here.
Today, we bring you the latest guest mock of the off-season and it comes from a Redskins fan/pundit/analyst/draft expert – Steve Shoup of On the Clock NFL Mock Draft Simulator and parent site, Fanspeak, where he the owner/operator (along with his sister, Megan). He is also a contributor to Hogs Haven with occasional articles. When the season ends for the Redskins, Steve is suddenly very busy with constant updates to the simulator nearly every day until the draft occurs. He provides detailed insights on the Redskins via social media and you can catch him cheering for the DC area sports teams.
I contacted Steve early last week and he enthusiastically accepted the invitation to share a mock with us for a second straight year. After reading his mock last night, I was very impressed with the picks and the detailed scouting reports. He understands the game and knows what the Redskins need. We're grateful that Steve has shared some of his vast knowledge with us today.
BBQ will have one more guest mock next week and we will certainly bring it back next year. It became a popular feature last year and now we can safely say that it is a nice addition to the BBQ off-season blog.
In this mock from Steve, he looks across the college football landscape for several prospects that could help the Redskins become a better team. I enjoyed looking at his mock and I hope you will enjoy it as well.
Be sure to follow him on twitter at:
https://twitter.com/Steveospeak
You can find On the Clock NFL Mock Draft Simulator at:
https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/
You can find Fanspeak at:
https://fanspeak.com/
You can find Hogs Haven at:
https://www.hogshaven.com/
Without any further delays, let's take a look at Steve's mock.
Steve's Seven Round Mock:
Rd 1: Pick 15- QB Drew Lock, Missouri
While it's tough to definitely predict that a QB will still be there at 15, it's possible that one is still available for Jay Gruden. Lock appears the most likely quarterback to still be available, and according to Gruden is the most capable quarterback to make an impact this season. Lock has the chance to be a top 10 QB in the future, but will have plenty of growing pains early on in his career. His arm talent is special, but he needs to improve his downfield accuracy and timing.
Rd 2: Pick 46- WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
The Redskins arguably have the weakest receiver corps in the league currently and the future doesn't look much brighter as Josh Doctson enters his last season under team control. Doctson has been a disappointment thus far, but he was still the Redskins best returning receiver from a year ago. Harry gives the Redskins a potential replacement for Doctson and a future number 1 receiver on the team. Hopefully, he can grow with Lock to form a nice connection for years to come.
Rd 3: Pick 76- S Juan Thornhill, Virginia
With the signing of Landon Collins, the Redskins added a major boost to their secondary, but they are still missing a free safety to complement him. Thornhill is the perfect option to pair with Collins as he is at his best when he's allowed to be a true free safety and play deep. Thornhill has great ball skills and should make an impact early in his career. He might go in the late 2nd round, but it's definitely possible he lasts this long.
Rd 3: Pick 96- EDGE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
The biggest free agent loss of the offseason for the Redskins was EDGE rusher Preston Smith. While Smith never developed into the 10+ sack a season pass rusher the Redskins were hoping for, he consistently offered quality pressure to bookend Ryan Kerrigan. Without Smith, the Redskins pass rush is likely to take a step back this season, as Ryan Anderson hasn't shown the ability to generate any decent level of pass rush. Ximines is a nice 3rd RD target as a speed rusher, who has shown he can get after the QB. He's pretty raw overall, but he's should be at least a situational pass rusher.
Rd 5: Pick 153- G Ben Powers, Oklahoma
The Redskins appear to be going with Ereck Flowers as their top LG option for this season, so it would be wise to add some quality depth to the position. Powers lacks a strong athletic profile, but his play on the field speaks for itself. Powers was a 3 year starter at Oklahoma and a 1st team All-Big 12 guard this past season. He also showed well at the Senior Bowl and has starting ability despite this athletic concerns. At the very least he will be a quality back-up option for the Redskins.
Rd 5: Pick 173- WR Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
The Redskins are going to go with Trey Quinn as their starting slot receiver this season, but they should still consider options in the draft. Quinn looks to be a coaching favorite, but he was injured most of the season, and the Redskins will be desperate for a capable slot receiver to move the chains this year. Renfrow is a slot only receiver, but he's extremely good in that area. Despite lacking size or elite athletic talent, he finds ways to get open and make plays.
Rd 6: Pick 206- RB Bryce Love, Stanford
Love entered this season as one of the top running back prospects in the country, but after a down year and an ACL injury in December, his draft stock has taken a serious hit. While his first season might need to be spent on IR, Love still has quality upside if he returns to health. He's an explosive back, who could be a major threat out of the backfield and fill the role of Chris Thompson going forward. Love and Guice have the potential to be a devastating RB duo going forward and could be the centerpiece of the Redskins offense.
Rd 7: Pick 227- C/G Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
Pierschbacher is a four year starter at guard and center for the Crimson Tide, and is known for being a technician. He is undersized and doesn't show a lot of power (which is why he's likely a later Day 3 pick), but he's smart and gets the most out of his ability. He has some starting potential, but at the very least offers a very capable interior back-up option.
Rd 7: Pick 253- TE Tommy Sweeney, Boston College
The Redskins could use a more blocking focused TE going forward and this draft should have some interesting options on Day 3. Jordan Reed is still a quality receiving threat, but the Redskins saw Vernon Davis take a step back last year. Jeremy Sprinkle has been okay, but hasn't done much as a blocker. Sweeney could find his way into the line-up as a rookie as an inline blocking option in two TE sets. His upside is limited, but the Redskins could use some competition and youth for this position at the bottom of their roster.
BBQ's Thoughts:
Thanks to Steve Shoup for all of his research and a superb look at what the Redskins could do in the draft. He put a lot of thought and work to this mock – thank you, Steve. Feel free to comment on any aspect of what he mocked to the Redskins.
BBQ will have two mocks next week and continuing updates on prospects. We will have one more guest mock as well.
Again, be sure to follow Steve on twitter at:
https://twitter.com/Steveospeak
You can find On the Clock NFL Mock Draft Simulator at:
https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/
You can find Fanspeak at:
https://fanspeak.com/
You can find Hogs Haven at:
https://www.hogshaven.com/