The NFL Draft is here as all 32 teams look to improve their rosters in either terms of talent or fixing holes (or both for that matter). Washington is looking to build off a promising 2020 season going into 2021 as the hope is the team can find some key contributors and build upon their depth. Washington's front office has been working tirelessly the last couple of months scouting players and writing reports up to decide whom they draft at 19. 19 is a bit difficult of a position to be in the draft, but some sort of talent should fall into their laps when their pick comes around. With that being said, let's take a look at positional needs and then preview some players per position.
Positional needs: Linebacker, offensive lineman, wide receiver, defensive back, tight end, quarterback
Some of these positions don't necessarily need to be addressed in this draft as they can be fixed via the free agent market, but it would be wise to get as many of them taken cared as possible. Linebacker is probably the most crucial need to fill though and it would be nice to take care of that in this draft. For other needs it's more building depth at that position like wide receiver or at defensive back. Either way, there's a lot of work to be done. Let's take a look at five players per position whom Washington should consider drafting.
Linebacker
Micah Parsons
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Zaven Collins
Jamin Davis
Nick Bolton
There's a plethora of options here as all five of these players are equally deserving of being drafted at 19. The linebacker class is so deep, that even players like Jabril Cox or Chazz Surratt are not even mentioned in the top five. The question of which player is the best to choose here is a difficult one as it's hard to go wrong with a selection here. Parsons is the more highly rated as he is productive and has explosive speed. If Washington does go with a linebacker at 19, don't be shocked to see them pick Parsons. Owusu-Koramoah was very good at Notre Dame and led one of the best defenses in college last season plus helped Notre Dame to make it to the ACC Championship and to the playoffs. However, despite the talent, he lacks size and that could be a problem. Collins has been linked to Washington in numerous mock drafts, but there is a lot to like about him. Collins is a big and athletic linebacker, but is also a team player which might fit well into this team. However, he also lacks aggression which is absolutely needed to play in the NFL. Davis and Bolton are other great prospects as Davis while very talented, lacks experience, and Bolton is physical, but lacks quickness.
Offensive Linemen
Penei Sewell
Rashawn Slater
Christian Darrisaw
Teven Jenkins
Alex Leatherwood
Cutting to the chase, it's unlikely Sewell or Slater will fall down to 19 for Washington unless there is a trade-up scenario (even in that case it's unlikely they trade up to select and offensive lineman anyways), but those two are clearly the best of the entire class. This is also a very deep class, so it's hard for Washington to miss here. Not even mentioned are players like Liam Eichenberg, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Aaron Banks who could go in the first round. While it's not imperative to select an offensive lineman in the first round, it would be helpful to get one of the better ones as early as possible. Darrisaw has also been linked in mock drafts, but he is a strong candidate to be selected at 19. Jenkins and Leatherwood are not as highly thought of as Darrisaw, but if they fall in to the second round, Washington needs to seriously consider them.
Quarterbacks
Zach Wilson
Trey Lance
Justin Fields
Mac Jones
Kyle Trask
It would be hard to see Washington selecting a quarterback at 19 unless they trade up, but most of these guys are likely to be gone anyways before Washington picks. Trevor Lawrence was not even bothered to be mentioned here as he very probably going to be the first overall draft pick and there is no way he will fall to 19th. There is high praise for all these players, but one in particular is gaining some attention as Lance is getting rave reviews. Wilson is also some are high on as well and would fit perfectly into Washington's offense, but he is likely to be a top three pick. Lance would be more likely if they were to trade up.
Wide Receivers
Devonta Smith
Ja'Marr Chase
Jaylen Waddle
Elijah Moore
Kadarius Toney
Wide receiver might actually be on the bottom of priorities in the first round, but cannot deny that there is a lot of talent here. Smith and Waddle were very lethal at Alabama and Ja'Marr Chase is getting some big time attention. Depending on how the draft goes, Moore or Toney are likely to be available to be selected at that point. The question is how likely is Washington to select a wide receiver.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts
Tommy Tremble
Pat Freiermuth
Hunter Long
Brevin Jordan
Tight end is another position that might not be prioritized in the first round, but actually later in the draft. The class isn't deep despite some productive players. Pitts is very much unlikely to even fall past the fifth pick, so selecting him would be difficult. Tremble and Freiermuth would be good selections in the second round, but unless Pitts falls to them either in a situation of Washington staying pat at 19 or even trading up, it's hard to see them select a tight end.
Defensive Backs
Patrick Surtain
Jaycee Horn
Trevon Moehrig
Jamar Johnson
Greg Newsome
Safety is more of a priority than at cornerback, but there is some good talent here. Surtain and Horn are unlikely to fall to 19 and even if Washington makes a trade to go up, it's unlikely for them to select one of those two. That being said, Moehrig is an intriguing prospect and could fall to them at 19. That all depends on how the draft goes at that point and what the front office wants. However, if they are looking for depth at safety, then Washington is unlikely to select one in the first round. But it remains to be seen.
It's to be seen whom they select in the first round, but don't be shocked if it's either an offensive lineman or linebacker selected. It's hard for Washington to go wrong with selecting a player at those positions, but they could trade up if they want to select a quarterback. That might depend on how the draft goes or if they are satisfied with what is on the roster already.
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