I'm not feeling good about this past draft at all. No player drafted thus far is giving me any hope. Batting .000. It's early, but that's the vibe I'm having. Doctson might have been fool's gold with a bad Achilles.
Let’s take a look at the players drafted in 2016 and the undrafted free agents currently on the roster. Is your statement correct? Incorrect? Somewhere in between?
Round One: Josh Doctson
We may not see him until 2017 or late this season at the earliest. It’s too early to put a grade on him. Sure, Doctson could become a bust or he could become an incredible superstar.
Round Two: Su'a Cravens
He is having an impact as a rookie. Great pick.
Round Three: Kendall Fuller
He is now entrenched as the starting nickel. Graded out as the best defensive player in the Redskins win over the Ravens according to PFF. Had another great game on Sunday. Looking like a huge steal in the third round.
Round Five: Matt Ioannidis
Started the season on the practice squad, but is now on the main roster. In the coming years, he likely fills the “Kedric Golston” role and provides good depth. Good pick in the fifth.
Round Six: Nate Sudfeld
This pick was made for the future and the hope is that Sudfeld becomes the long term answer at backup. Performed well in preseason. Good pick – fulfilling what the team wants in the eventual backup role.
Round Seven: Steven Daniels
He went to injured reserve before the season started. The hope is he becomes a good role player and special teams contributor. This gives him an incomplete grade.
Round Seven: Keith Marshall
He went to injured reserve before the season started. Given the emergence of Robert Kelley, Marshall could be headed to the practice squad in his second season. Injury to another player could give him a chance. This gives him an incomplete grade.
UDFAs
Robert Kelley
He is quickly establishing himself as a quality backup and effective weapon in a relief role. He is an absolute steal as an UDFA.
Anthony Lanier
He has seen the field a couple of times, but is usually a healthy scratch. It is unknown if he sticks with the team in the coming years, but it is certainly possible.
UDFA Injured Reserve
Kevin Bowen, OT
Bowen is a player to watch. He could become the next Ty Nsekhe or nothing more than a footnote in team history.
Reggie Diggs, WR
He likely is never more than a practice squad candidate.
Practice Squad
Maurice Harris, WR
Could he be another Rashad Ross? He has an intriguing skillset, but needs more time.
Kendal Thompson, WR
This might be his ceiling. May or may not be on the practice squad in 2017.
Isaiah Williams, OT
He is just a body for camp, offseason, and for practices.
Looking at the above list you have five players who are on the active roster and contribute in varying degrees. Four players are on injured reserve and their roles for next year are undetermined. Three are on the practice squad.
That adds up to twelve players from the 2016 draft and UDFA class who are on the roster, practice squad, or injured reserve.
Vinny Cerrato never had such success. Ditto for Charley Casserly. Of that current twelve, eight or nine should be on the roster two years from now. That is a good haul. If we had such success with Vinny, then Redskins fans would’ve considered it extraordinary. Instead, he spent three second round picks on receivers – all of them were either busts or head cases.
It’s way too early to judge the 2016 class of draft picks and UDFAs, but it looks good thus far.