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.
The 2019 NFL draft is just under four months away, but it will be here before you know it. It's a bit early in the process, but we do have a few ideas what the team needs in late April. The process of team building never ends and BBQ is about to take a look at what could happen later this spring.
Will BBQ match or surpass the success that it had with the 2018 mocks? It will be difficult and very challenging, but it is a task that we embrace. With that kind of success, we truly believe it helps the members of BGO to focus on the players who are prospects that the Redskins are seeking. It feels good to provide everyone here with the kind of service you expect from BBQ.
We will feature two mocks each week – one that features a successful return of quarterback Alex Smith and one that features him not returning. This mock has him not returning – whether it be by PUP, IR, or forced retirement.
Without any further delays, let's take our second look at the 2019 draft with this mock.
Round One: A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi
The Redskins need playmakers on offense, especially wide receiver. A.J. Brown is one of the best in the 2019 draft and he would have an immediate and positive effect on the receiving corps. Decent separation from corners and safeties. Effective on all routes. Strong hands. Significantly improved on his drop rate from the previous season. Very smart after the catch and can gain extra yardage. Can actually improve at the next level.
Other Possible Picks:
Cody Ford, G/OT, Oklahoma
Clelin Ferrell, OLB, Clemson
Montez Sweat, Edge/OLB, Mississippi St.
Jachai Polite, DE/OLB, Florida
Greg Little, OT, Mississippi
Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio St.
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Round Two: Brett Rypien, QB, Boise St.
Rypien is probably the most pro-ready player in this draft, but there is still room to grow and learn. Quick release makes him difficult to sack. Solid mechanics. Decent accuracy. Superb pocket passer and solid pocket awareness. Able to go through his progressions quickly, effectively, and cleanly. Good mobility and can extend plays as needed. Hits receivers in stride, thus allowing for extra yards after the catch. Needs to learn how to deal with pressure and should add about ten to fifteen pounds of bulk to his frame.
Other Possible Picks:
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
Rashan Gary, DE/OLB, Michigan
Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina St.
Jaquan Johnson, SS, Miami
Jalen Jelks, OLB, Oregon
Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Round Three: Juan Thornhill, SS, Virginia
D.J. Swearinger alienated coaches and players alike in recent weeks and the Redskins released him? Juan Thornhill can step in on day one and be even better than Swearinger. Thornhill is a smart and savvy player at strong safety. He has good size, speed, and the intangibles to excel at the next level.
Other Possible Picks:
Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA
J.R. Reed, SS, Georgia
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa St.
Connor McGovern, OC/OG, Penn St.
David Sills, WR, West Virginia
Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Round Three (Comp Pick): Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Lindstrom is an all-around solid guard and could be an effective starter on the left side for a decade or more. Fundamentally sound. Solid lead blocker on counter plays and sweeps/jet sweeps. Exceptional in pass protection and the rushing offense. Solid blocker downfield on screens and short passes.
Round Five: Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
Jordan Reed can't stay healthy for an entire season it seems and Vernon Davis could be a cap casualty. Isaac Nauta is a solid route runner who can stretch the field. Dependable receiver. Blue collar type of worker who is an effective blocker in the rushing offense and on screens and downfield passes. Has the ability to leave linebackers in his dust. Has the ability to separate from slot corners.
Other Possible Picks:
Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
Dawson Knox, TE, Mississippi
Max Scharping, OT/OG, Northern Illinois
Wes Hills, RB, Slippery Rock
Juwan Johnson, WR, Penn St.
Lester Cotton, OG, Alabama
Round Five (Comp Pick): Corbin Kaufusi, DE, Brigham Young
Kaufusi is a bit raw, but has a ton of potential. He stands 6'9†and weighs in at 285. He can add bulk to his frame and be a true defensive end or play edge. He's strong, powerful, deceptively quick, and would likely need a year to adjust to the NFL. Kaufusi has a 6'1†sister who can likely out-lift you with considerable ease – tallness and strength runs in the family. Matt Ioannidis was a fifth round selection. Can lightning strike twice?
Round Six (Comp Pick): Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Virginia
How would you like a receiver who has running back skills and combines his talents to look like a Larry Centers and Chris Thompson type of player? Highly underrated. Lack of height will hurt him in the draft (5'8â€, 200), but he has the speed and power to be a much more durable player than Thompson. He has been the leading receiver for Virginia over the years.
Other Possible Picks:
Joe Dineen, ILB, Kansas
Jonathan Ledbetter, DE, Georgia
Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
Carl Granderson, OLB, Wyoming
Kingsley Keke, DE/DT, Texas A&M
Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota St.
Round Seven: Ului Lapuaho, OT, BYU
It's no secret that Ty Nsekhe struggled this past season in backup duty and will be in his mid-thirties this year. Ului Lapuaho at 6'7â€, 330 is similar in size to Nsekhe and would bring a youthful infusion to the tackles. Hailing from the state of Utah, the massive lineman has served his Mormon mission (Australia) and is likely ready to be a quality backup at the next level.
Other Possible Picks:
Jaylen Smith, WR, Louisville
Olive Sagapolu, DT, Wisconsin
Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh
Nate Herbig, OG, Stanford
Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M
Eric Dungey, QB, Syracuse
Round Seven (Comp Pick): Kendall Blanton, TE, Missouri
Blanton doesn't receive the same attention as Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri's incredible tight end and one the first tight ends expected to be selected in the draft, but Blanton is slightly bigger with great hands and excellent blocking ability. Tigers coaches love his abilities and positive attitude. Even as a low round selection, Blanton should have a good career in the NFL.
The extra sixth round comp pick that the Redskins had recently was surrendered when Terrelle Pryor was released late in the season by the Jets. As a result of that transaction, the Redskins now receive a seventh round comp pick for the Will Compton signing by the Tennessee Titans. When free agency opens, the changes to the roster will also have an effect on the draft. Mocks in January look much different than mocks in the spring. For now, we can only speculate based on current team needs and performance to date.
There is your second mock of 2019. We will have two mocks again next Friday. The mocks will continue to be posted this winter and early spring, then the volume of mocks will increase as we get closer to the draft.