The Washington Redskins are in the midst of a transformative offseason. They've had perhaps the worst luck of any team in the league the past couple of years, as they've suffered a brutal string of injuries.
Alex Smith suffered a potentially career-ending leg injury last year, and the offensive line and receiving corps were all depleted as well.
This all happened after the Redskins got off to their best start in years, as they went 6-2 in the first couple of months of the season. They'll need to make some shrewd moves if they want to get back in contention in the NFC East, and that starts with the draft.
Here are their three biggest needs heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
3. Tight End
The Redskins should consider adding a tight end. They've made their biggest moves already on defense, like the signing of safety Landon Collins, so they should focus on offense in the draft. Jordan Reed is getting up there in age and simply isn't the player he used to be even when he's occasionally able to stay healthy.
This year is a very good year for tight ends in the draft, with great prospects like Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson from Iowa and Irv Smith Jr. from Alabama. Washington can get out of Reed's large contract pretty easily at any time, and it's time to start thinking about a replacement if Reed can't get back to his former level.
2. Wide Receiver
The Redskins also desperately need to upgrade their receiving corps. The unit was already unimpressive last year, and now they just lost Jamison Crowder in free agency. 2016 first round pick Josh Doctson has been unable to stay healthy and underwhelming even when he is on the field, so the Redskins should seriously consider drafting a wideout early.
They signed Paul Richardson to a big contract last offseason, but he was plagued by injuries last year as well. The team was reportedly in on the Antonio Brown sweepstakes, and they had the right idea there. They need to make a splash at receiver, and someone like D.K. Metcalf makes some sense if they wanted to take one in the first round.
Metcalf recently blew up the combine, and would bring some much-needed excitement to Washington. Their current group isn't going to cut it, and they need to overhaul the receiving corp through the draft.
N'Keal Harry could be another name to keep an eye on if the Redskins choose to go with a receiver.
1. Quarterback
Quarterback is still the most pressing need. The team went out and put a bandaid on the situation by acquiring Case Keenum from the Broncos. Keenum can be a serviceable stopgap, but he isn't a viable longterm solution.
Keenum isn't going to be their franchise quarterback, and the Redskins need to start looking toward the future. Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins will likely be gone by the time they pick, but there are several interesting options who should be available for them in the first round. Drew Lock and Daniel Jones are both intriguing prospects, and either could make sense for the Redskins.
Whether it's in the first round or on Day 2 by grabbing one of the second-tier guys, it doesn't matter. The Redskins just can't afford to stand pat, and need to draft a signal-caller.
Follow Us
Subscribe