Washington Redskins: Needs Addressed on Day 3 of Draft
By Hunter Noll
The first two days of the NFL draft saw the Washington Redskins taking players in positions not of immediate need. Day three was a different story.
In the first three rounds, the Washington Redskins selected wide receiver Josh Doctson, outside linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens, and cornerback Kendall Fuller. All three were solid picks, but they didn’t address the biggest needs of the Redskins roster.
Related Story: Washington Redskins: Su’a Cravens Adds Defensive Versatility
In the fifth round, the Washington Redskins selected Matt Ioannidis, a defensive tackle out of Temple University. The great thing about Ioannidis is his versatility. He can play all over the line. I see him being used in the middle however, as Chris Baker and Trent Murphy (transitioning from outside linebacker this year) will probably see a good chunk of the snaps as the defensive ends.
Ioannidis is definitely better than his draft number (152), so this was a solid pick up. B+ grade.
The Washington Redskins drafted Indiana University quarterback Nate Sudfeld in the sixth round (pick number 187) of the draft. I really don’t see a scenario where Sudfeld gets playing-time this year, but that’s kind of a no-brainer. Kirk Cousins will be the obvious starter, and Colt McCoy will serve as the backup. Sudfeld is there strictly for depth purposes and potential growth.
With Cousins on a one-year deal and McCoy better suited as a backup, I’m sure the Redskins will give Sudfeld a look. Don’t expect it to be a long look however. Sudfeld has the build of an NFL quarterback, but he’s going to have to prove he’s got the skill. C grade.
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The Washington Redskins had two picks in the seventh round. With the 232nd selection, they drafted Steven Daniels, an interior linebacker out of Boston College. I absolutely loved this pick. Daniels is an extremely hard worker and a superb leader. He’s going to immediately help on special teams, and could develop into a great linebacker. To get him this late was an absolute steal, easily making this my favorite pick of the Redskins draft. A+ grade.
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The Washington Redskins final pick was Georgia running back Keith Marshall at number 242. Marshall ran a 4.31 40-time at the NFL combine (via Andy Fenelon of NFL.com). Did I mention he weighs around 220 lbs? Yeah, the guy’s an absolute freight train, and nobody wants to be on the tracks when he’s coming. The Redskins running game could use some help, and Marshall’s unique combination of speed and weight makes him a fantastic addition. A- grade.
Overall, the Washington Redskins had a fantastic draft. There were some questionable picks, but the majority of the draft was hard to argue with. The Redskins final product warrants a B+ grade from me.