For quite some time, we've just penciled in Ohio State's Chase Young to the Washington Redskins at No. 2 overall. But what if that doesn't happen? For as tremendous as Young is, the Redskins aren't an edge rusher away from becoming a contender, and they have invested heavily on their defensive front the past three years in the NFL Draft.
Let's explore what a trade down for Washington would look like and what it could ultimately land them draft capital-wise.
The draft order is now set. Position rankings are based on our composite prospect rankings.
Now, to the picks.
Round 1 - Pick 1
A few recent quotes from Burrow have allowed some to speculate that the reigning Heisman winner will spurn Cincinnati. I highly doubt that happens.
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Mock Trade from
Washington Redskins
Round 1 - Pick 2
Is Miami technically "considering" every quarterback prospect right now? Sure. But Tagovailoa still feels like the front-runner, and the organization doesn't want to lose out on the opportunity to pick him, so they move up to do so.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
The Lions signed Trey Flowers in free agency a year ago but still have a pass-rushing problem. And that issue is fixed with Young at No. 3.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Wide receiver will be tempting here for GM Dave Gettleman, but I think he ultimately goes with an offensive tackle to protect Daniel Jones. Wirfs was good in 2018 then took his game to another level in 2019, and he spent time at right and left tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Where did Ron Rivera last coach? Carolina. Who was the heartbeat of his defense during his time there? Luke Kuechly. Simmons has Kuechly type athletic gifts and can cover like a safety. The Redskins could use an infusion of talent at essentially every position. In their trade with Miami, Washington gets this pick, Miami's third first-rounder (No. 26), a third-rounder (No. 70), and Miami's second fifth-rounder (No. 148).
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Do the Chargers go the trade or free-agent route to find their next quarterback? Hmmm. If they can't land one, they could go with Herbert, who wouldn't have to start right away, and could ultimately be a game-manager early in his career.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Panthers are probably going to lose James Bradberry in free agency, and with Okudah falling into their lap, this is an easy, home-run pick at the start of the Matt Rhule era.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
I'm guessing Jeudy is going to run noticeably faster than CeeDee Lamb at the Combine, which could (see: should) push many folks to crown him as WR1 in this class. Kliff Kingsbury gets Kyler Murray a stud pass catcher.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Brown needs to get more effective as a pass rusher when he can't simply bull rush guards into the quarterback, but he's immensely powerful right now and is the best run defender in the class.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Wills is a great athlete for his size, and the right side of the Browns offensive line was downright disastrous in 2019. A perfect fit for Baker Mayfield and Co.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Jets GM Joe Douglas spent many years in Philadelphia with Jason Peters at left tackle, and with this pick, he envisions Thomas being that type of high-caliber blindside protector for Sam Darnold.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
This pick will work wonders for ticket sales and generating hype in Las Vegas. Lamb adds a fun, big-play element to the Raiders' offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Philip Rivers seems destined for Indianapolis given his connections to some coaches there. With him there, Indianapolis should add to its receiver group, and with a big combine, Aiyuk is primed to skyrocket up boards.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
How about a Tampa Bay defensive front with Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea, and Kinlaw. Studly.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Shenault was born to play in a West Coast offense, and that's Broncos new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's scheme. If he can stay healthy, he can be a star thanks to his size, YAC-skills, and pure speed.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Falcons need more pass rushers. Epenesa is ready to be a three-down player thanks to his length, power, edge-setting ability, and pass-rushing moves.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Gallimore is a former nose tackle turned penetrating three-technique, and his burst will be fully accentuated in Dallas' defense.
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From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
Understanding the depth of the offensive tackle class, the Dolphins go edge rusher here with Chaisson, an explosive, polished defender around the corner.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
Things work out perfectly for the Raiders and they get their quarterback of the defense in Murray. I expect him to test similarly to 2019 first-round linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
The Cam Robinson experiment could be over and that would leave Jacksonville with a gaping hole at left tackle. Insert Jones, a tall, powerful, and athletic blocker with game film that was significantly more consistent than Robinson's, albeit against a significantly lower level of competition.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
This is too perfect. Higgins provides the Eagles with a deep threat and just so happens to be around 6-foot-4 with immaculate ball skills.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Ruggs wouldn't add much size to the Bills' receiver group, but good luck covering a due of Ruggs, John Brown, and Cole Beasley in man or zone coverage.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Given the age of the Patriots starting safeties, and the fact that Devin McCourty is set to become a free agent this March, Bill Belichick goes with Delpit, a tall, athletic, versatile safety with better play-making skill in coverage than against the run.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
It is difficult to do a mock and not send Reagor to the Saints, a team with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas but a clear need at No. 2 wide receiver.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Diggs is a physical, press-man cornerback who can instantly replace an aging Xavier Rhodes in Mike Zimmer's scheme.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 26
It's a dream come true for the Redskins here with Becton. And while right now, it may seem like there's no way he lasts until No. 26 overall, at least one of the consensus "top" offensive tackles will likely be here. Trent Williams has been an absolute rock for Washington, but with him turning 32 in 2020, the last year of the extension he signed in 2015, the team very well could (and maybe should) trade him this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Jackson could very well test as the most athletic tackle in the class and he is a smooth mover -- this plays perfectly into what GM John Schneider loves at the position (and all positions).
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Ravens adore heavy, outside linebacker types to rush the passer. That's precisely what Weaver is, and before his injury in 2019, he was on track to get selected in the Top 20 overall.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Queen really looks like a safety on the field, from his size to his change-of-direction skills, and acceleration. And that's not a not bad thing in today's NFL.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
McKinney is as active as they come in run support and consistently made plays in coverage in Nick Saban's pro-style scheme.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
In this scenario, the Chiefs can't retain Chris Jones, so they go with a super-athlete on the interior of the defensive line in hopes of replacing some of his production.
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