Washington Redskins select Brandon Scherff

By Stephen Forsha | Apr 30, 2015

There is a new “Scherff” in town for the Washington Redskins as they surprised some by staying away from their defensive improvement in round one, instead drafting a possible cornerstone to their offensive line in Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff with the fifth overall selection.

Drafting the best offensive tackle in this draft makes the Redskins an improved offense right now, because they’ve drafted an offensive tackle who not only can help keep quarterback Robert Griffin III upright, but they’ve drafted an offensive tackle (or possible guard) that can provide some very solid run-blocking as well.

NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock had this to say about the pick of the Redskins’ choice:

"“How about that? The beauty is that Washington has been looking for a right tackle. The right side of the Redskins’ line is getting younger and more athletic. Scherff is a lot like Zack Martin from last year’s draft.”"

If Scherff can be like Martin, who the Dallas Cowboys selected in the first round last year, well that would mean they have just selected a rookie who has the potential to be an All-Pro in his first NFL season. That’s high praise to say the least.

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In my final mock draft I had the Redskins’ NFC East rival, the New York Giants, selecting Scherff at No. 9, because they, like the Redskins needed improvement on their offensive line as well. The Giants drafted offensive tackle Ereck Flowers from the University of Miami with the No. 9 overall pick.

Coming in at 6-5, 319 pounds Scherff was an Outland Trophy award winner, an All-American and was a first-team All-Big Ten player as well. For his collegiate career, Scherff played in a total of 43 games.

The current depth chart of the Redskins offensive line at tackle includes: Tom Compton, Edawn Coughman, Morgan Moses, Xavier Nixon and Trent Williams. At guard listed are: Chris Chester, Shawn Lauvano, Josh LeRibeus, Spencer Long and Kory Lichtensteiger.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said before the draft:

"“Scherff has measurables and traits to play tackle in the league but might be better suited to play guard. More powerful than explosive, Scherff is not a scheme-specific talent and can maul or move in run game.”"

Last season the Redskins’ offensive line blocked for a team that was 13th-best in the NFL in total offense – gaining 358.6 yards per game. But this selection was all about improving their offensive rushing attack and Scherff does that for sure.

In ’14 the Redskins rushed for 1,691 yards, 4.2 yards per rush and 105.7 yards per game – the latter 19th-best in the NFL this past season.

Sure, a defensive player would have worked with the fifth pick. However, the Redskins did the smart thing here with selecting a player in Scherff. He’s a safe pick that shouldn’t be a disappointment and figures to help them for many years to come.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft: Live Day 1 Updates

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