Washington Redskins: Receiver a first round possibility

By Andrew Long | Mar 29, 2015

The Washington Redskins currently hold the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. On several occasions, Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan has stated that the team will select the best player available (BPA), regardless of position and need.

While this approach is great for building a team, it can make certain selections look like head scratchers. A lot of Washington fans – and rightfully so – have been clamoring for secondary and offensive line help, but if the value isn’t there at number five, the Redskins would be hurting themselves by making that sort of selection.

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Assuming Washington doesn’t move down in the first round, it’s likely that they will end up adding a pass rusher to their defense. But, depending on what the Oakland Raiders do at number four, there’s an outside chance that the team grabs a wide receiver with the fifth overall pick.

If you look at the Redskins roster, this draft pick doesn’t make much sense. But if you really look at Washington’s situation at receiver, you’ll realize that adding a wideout isn’t that farfetched. DeSean Jackson is entering year two of the three-year deal that he signed last offseason. Pierre Garcon‘s contract is also set to expire after the 2016 season.

Basically what I’m trying to say is this: If there’s a player that absolutely blows you away during the scouting process, you should draft that player; even if your team is currently well off at the position. While the move may raise some eyebrows in the immediate future, it’s something that can help mold your team for long-term success.

It’s a draft strategy that Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has successfully used for a number of years. Their most recent venture into drafting the BPA came when they added inside linebacker C.J. Mosley at number 17 in the 2014 NFL draft.

The selection looked peculiar at the time because the Ravens had just signed Daryl Smith to a four-year deal and drafted inside linebacker Arthur Brown in the second round the year before. The team looked set at inside linebacker, but Newsome and the Baltimore scouting department had Mosley as the BPA, so they took him.

After racking up 99 tackles, 8 pass deflections, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions across 16 starts as a rookie, Mosley was selected to the Pro Bowl. The Ravens had other needs going into the draft, but elected to draft the best football player on the board. It’s a decision that will equip the franchise with a talented football player for years to come.

I think that the Redskins find themselves in a similar situation (different positions, obviously). They don’t have an immediate need at receiver, but, depending on how the draft board looks at the time, might end up choosing one. Let’s say the draft goes something like this: Jameis Winston to Tampa Bay at one, Marcus Mariota to Tennessee at two, Dante Fowler Jr. to the Jags at three, and Leonard Williams to the Raiders at four.

If that’s how the picks fell, I believe the Redskins would have to think really hard about adding a wide receiver. Alabama’s Amari Cooper and West Virginia’s Kevin White are both talented enough to warrant top five selections. I personally prefer White to Cooper, but I think that both players will be extremely good at the next level.

Pass rushers Shane Ray and Vic Beasley would make sense, too. But if McCloughan and the Redskins scouting department determine that Cooper or White have Calvin Johnson like potential, they’d be foolish not to make the pick. To be clear, I’m not saying that Cooper or White will be the next Megatron. I’m just saying that Washington would be unwise to turn their backs on that type of potential just because they’re okay at the position right now.

I still believe that D.C. management will go pass rusher, but I won’t be completely shocked if the Washington Redskins nab a wide receiver at number five.

Next: D-Hall a stopgap at safety?

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