The Burgundy and Gold Report Top 25 Big Board
Things to Remember:
The top players in this year’s draft are sure to be off the board, with headliners such as Kyler Murray, Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, Josh Allen, Devin White, Jawaan Taylor.
Although the defensive line talent is deep, that position won’t make the Top 25 due to the re-signing of Matt Ioannidis and the back to back 1st round selections of John Allen and Daron Payne.
The prospects listed below all have a decent chance of falling to #15 or could be available after the top 10 come off the board and could be had via trade.
The Top 25 Big Board in this scenario features great options for Washington with a few potential stars that could fall to #15.
The Redskins will also be a team to watch in a trade up situation in an effort to get back into the latter stage of Round 1. With Washington owning two picks in Round 3 to go along with the 46th overall pick, maneuvering around could lead to adding Day 1 starters to a team lacking playmakers.
#1 Brian Burns OLB/DE FSU 6-4 249 lbs.
Burns speed & his ability to bend the edge would solidify the Redskins defensive front, giving them a scary defense to face on 3rd down.
#2 Drew Lock QB Mizz 6-3 228 lbs
Accuracy issues with a gunslinger mentality have been the knocks on Lock, but make no mistake about it, the Missouri QB will be a force in the league for years to come.
#3 Montez Sweat DE/OLB 6-5 260 lbs
Sweat adds a combination of size & freak ability that could bring an element rarely seen in the NFL. The versatility of Sweat would give the Redskins a three down pass rusher that excels against the pass and the run.
#4 TJ Hockenson TE Iowa 6-4 251 lbs
Hockenson would enable the Redskins to use Reed as the pass catching threat he is, but also provide the Redskins with top notch blocking & receiving threat.
#5 Marquise “Hollywood” Brown Oklahoma 5-9 166 lbs
The nickname suits the cousin of Raiders, All-Pro receiver, Antonio Brown. Hollywood's ability to blow the top off of defenses, while also being slippery (18 broken tackles in '18) make him a unique receiving threat and a matchup nightmare.
#6 Nasir Adderley Delaware U S 5-11 206 lbs
This small school prospect has the ability to be a ball hawk on the next level, while also showing rare ability to read quarterbacks. Pairing Adderley with Landon Collins could be enticing.
#7 Cody Ford Okla U G/T 6-4 329 lbs
Ford brings versatility as a tackle, but guard is the position the Oklahoma mauler will have the most success playing. The Redskins have had a revolving door at LG and this is the draft where that should end.
#8 Dalton Risner Kansas St G/T/C 6-5 312 lbs
Risner is the most versatile prospect in a talented group. Kansas State’s head coach Bill Snyder only recruits athletic lineman and converting tight ends is his specialty. Risner's ability to block in space make him a perfect fit in Bill Callahan's run scheme.
#9 Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S Florida 5-11 210 lbs
The Florida defensive back is a big play waiting to happen. Since trading Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs, the Redskins haven't found a suitable slot corner. CGJ is a plug and play nickel corner, but his ability to play centerfield make him the ultimate swiss army knife.
#10 Chris Lindstrom G/C/T Boston College 6-3 308 lbs
Lindstrom has been mentioned as ideal for a zone blocking scheme, but the tape shows an athletic force willing to mix it up and excel at any position on the o-line. Lindstrom has the makings of an All-Pro Center, but could have the same impact at Guard as well.
#11 Bryon Murphy Washington 5-10 190 lbs
Murphy’s ability as a press and zone corner make him a cornerback that can contribute on day one. Current high price CB Josh Norman will likely be gone in 2020 and Murphy seems like the ideal replacement.
#12 Jonah Williams OT Alabama 6-4 302 lbs
Although the Redskins have one of the best bookend tackle duos in league, staying healthy has been their #1 issue. Selecting Williams would be a move for the future, but the Alabama lineman possesses the ability to kick inside as well.
#13 Clelin Ferrell DE/OLB Clemson 6-4 264 lbs
Ferrell’s ideal fit will be rushing the passer from a 3-point stance as a 4-3 base defensive end, but shows the burst & quickness to play all over the line.
#14 Noa Fant TE Iowa 6-4 249 lbs
The second Tight End prospect from the Kirk Ferentz Hawkeyes, but Fant projects more as a flex tight end with the ability to block in the run game. Similar to Jordan Reed, Fant exposes the centerfield and is a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
#15 AJ Brown Miss St 6-0 226 lbs
Brown’s teammate DK Metcalf has garnered most of the pre-draft attention, but Brown’s ability to play the X, Y and slot make him a superior receiving threat. The high school track star is ahead of many of his peers when it comes to route tree knowledge, but if Brown puts it altogether, he’ll be a dangerous receiving threat on the next level.
#16 Devin Bush LB Michigan 5-11 234 lbs
Based on his size and coverage ability, the former Wolverine should be viewed more as a hybrid type Inside Linebacker, as opposed to a Downhill Linebacker. With more offenses throwing on 1st and 2nd down, Bush's ability to play in space could be intriguing.
#17 Rock Ya-Sin CB Temple 5-11 205 lbs
Ya-Sin's physicality during the senior bowl was well documented and the 2-Time Georgia Wrestling champion brings a toughness in press coverage that is difficult to find. If the Temple DB can improve his zone coverage ability, he could be this year’s top corner.
#18 Darnell Savage S Maryland 5-11 198 lbs
Because of the depth in this year’s class, this Maryland safety has gone under the radar for much of the draft process. Savage offers a centerfield presence along with the speed and ability to play sideline to sideline. Pairing him with Collins could solidify an historically weak group.
#19 Greedy Williams CB LSU 6-2 185 lbs
Williams is a corner who has a long way to go with his tackling ability, but his instincts as a ballhawk are undeniable. Williams’s ability to mirror tall receivers in coverage is his number one attribute. With weight room dedication and improved tackling technique, the LSU corner could become a potential shutdown corner.
#20 Chase Winovich Edge Michigan 6-3 256 lbs
The former Wolverine pass rusher excels as a 3-technique Edge rusher, but Winovich displays the ability and motor to play as a standup OLB. Winovich has the work ethic and high football IQ needed to have a long career in the NFL.
#21 Juan Thornhill S/CB Virginia 6-0 205 lbs
The Virginia native excelled as a high school basketball star and routinely displayed highlight reel dunks. Thornhill adds athleticism and versatility with the ability to develop as a coverage safety.
#22 Erik McCoy G/T Texas A&M 6-4 303 lbs
McCoy needs work on his pass pro, but fits in immediately in a dominant run scheme that allows the former Aggie to use his abilities in space. McCoy could be a force next to Trent Williams.
#23 Garrett Bradbury G/C NC State 6-3 306 lbs
Superb technique and play timing are strengths of the former Wolfpack Center. Bradbury was a former tight end with impressive ability to seek out contact in space. Bradbury is a Day 1 starter at Guard or Center.
#24 Hakeem Butler WR ISU 6-5 227 lbs
Butler uses his large frame and athletic ability to box out defenders and excels as a red zone receiving threat. Additionally, the Iowa State receiver’s 22.0 ypr average highlight his play making ability.
#25 Dwayne Haskins QB OSU 6-3 231 lbs
Haskins is a prospect with a high ceiling, but only one year of production at Ohio State. Stability and play calling will be the key to the Bullis HS star’s success. Haskins needs the opportunity to sit and learn for at least two years, but Washington doesn't seem like they're prepared to do that with their current quarterback situation.
Takeaways
The draft’s talent along the offensive line is the most evident on this list of 25. However, based on the last two drafts, it seems that solidifying the defense is the direction Washington is heading.Getting a quarterback or offensive playmaker could also be the plan with their first selection.The likelihood of the Redskins trading for Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen could change their draft plans, but any of the non-quarterbacks above should see the field on Day 1.The idea of information being leaked by teams should be taken with a grain of salt this time of year. It's #SmokeScreenSeason after all and this week’s leaks should be interesting to say the least.Arizona holds the first overall pick and is dangling 2018 1st Round QB Josh Rosen out to the highest bidder.This drafts uncertainty is what makes this year unique and a must watch.
By Adam Aniba