The majority of the Redskins success last season was due to strong draft picks made by the organization in the past few seasons. Kirk Cousins, Jordan Reed, Matt Jones, and Jamison Crowder all made key contributions while starting at the offensive skill positions. On the defensive side, they have built through the draft with Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, linebacker, Preston Smith, and cornerback, Bashaud Breeland.
As the 2016 draft has come and gone, the Redskins hope their new acquisitions are just as impactful as in recent seasons. Let’s take a look at their Day Three decisions.
Day three is when general managers flex their muscles. Who are the diamonds in the rough? Josh Norman, the Redskins newcomer and highest paid player was taken in the fifth round back in 2012. It is not only about finding Pro Bowler’s like Tom Brady (#199 overall), Antonio Brown (6th round), Robert Mathis (5th round), and Marques Colston (#252 overall), but also about acquiring depth. These picks will not be scrutinized like day one, but are just as important and can make or break an organizations draft.
With the 152nd pick in the fifth round, the Redskins finally made a move to improve their defensive line. Matthew Ioannidis a smaller but strong beast from Temple. Ioannidis will be a great body to improve their run defense. He is similar to the recent draft picks of GM, Scott McCloughan. Tough, hard-nosed, smart athletes. McCloughan said, "In base, we're looking at him more at nose, but he can still play the three [technique]. But in sub, which we're in a lot more than base, he can move around the line. The thing about him too, again, he's not the prettiest, he's not the best athlete, but he's a football player. You know what, he's a tough son of a gun that I respect a lot."
Is Cousins definitely the QB of the future? Will they give him the extension? Do they even have a backup QB? Who is Colt McCoy?
There are many questions surrounding the most important position in football, the quarterback. The Skins did not spend a high draft choice, but did pick up some insurance by drafting a QB who played through a tough schedule in the Big Ten. They took Nate Sudfeld in the sixth round; a three year starter from Indiana who had 69 touchdowns in his four year career. Sudfeld will be #2 on the depth chart at QB and also wear #2 on the field.
Surprise, surprise. Sudfeld also has a brother who plays TE in the NFL.
The Redskins rounded out their draft with two seventh round picks. Steven Daniels, a linebacker from Boston College and Keith Marshall, a running back from The University of Georgia. Daniels is another undersized linebacker at 5’11, 243lbs, but is quick to the point of attack and had an impressive 82 tackles last season. Marshall is an interesting player. He ran a 4.31 40 yard dash at the combine which was the quickest of all running backs in attendance. He was the top running back at Georgia until Todd Gurley (2015 rookie of the year) and Nick Chubb (2016 Heisman candidate), jumped past him on the depth chart. Marshall was plagued with injuries in his college career but is very explosive and talented and could play a major role within the shallow Redskins backfield.
Overall their selections will vastly improve their defense in 2016, especially against the run. Cravens, Fuller, and Ioannidis are perfect fits who will jump to the ball and will bring energy and to the defense. They also were able to grab a talented offensive weapon for the future and their #1 WR on the board.
#HTTR
