The Washington Football Team aims for playoff return in this 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
Point blank, the Washington Football Team and quarterback Taylor Heinicke put up more of a fight against the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs than many could’ve imagined. But at the end of the day, they fell short. Now it’s into the offseason, first with free agency then the 2021 NFL Draft, as head coach Ron Rivera continues to rebuild the franchise.
Though Washington made the playoffs this year, there is obviously work to do as they got into the field with a 7-9 record. At the same time, this is largely a young team that has improved from recent years, so they are on the right track in the nation’s capital. Now it’s about taking the next steps, especially when it comes to the draft.
With that in mind and in the wake of the Wild Card loss, let’s run through a 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft for the Washington Football Team to see what kind of pieces they can add. Note: This mock was compiled using The Draft Network mock draft machine.
Washington Football Team 2021 mock draft
For as well as Alex Smith played when healthy and for as much heart as Heinicke showed in the playoff game, the future of the quarterback position in Washington must be addressed. Neither player is a viable long-term option under center. As the most important piece of the roster, that’s where they must turn to with their first-round pick.
Lucky for them, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is on the board and, if that’s the case, they shouldn’t hesitate to take the Crimson Tide signal-caller. Jones came into the 2020 season with big questions as a first-time starter but he’s passed every test with flying colors, putting him on the cusp of being a first-round pick.
Jones isn’t going to wow anyone from a tools perspective but he plays quarterback at an extremely high level. He’s calm and smart when he drops back, delivering on-time passes to the right spots. Despite not having a cannon arm, he is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the country.
Though his limited starting experience at Alabama may concern some, he appears ready to take the jump to the pro level. Perhaps learning behind Smith for a year in Washington, he could be the franchise quarterback that the Football Team has needed for many years.
Whether it’s on the outside or on the interior, the Washington offensive line needs some addressing this offseason. And there might not be a better player to get in the second round in that capacity than Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama.
Garnering experience at guard and offensive tackle while in Tuscaloosa, Leatherwood has been a stalwart leader for the Crimson Tide offense. He plays with a mean streak, which you love to see from a player in the trenches. A beast in the run game, he may not be the most athletic pass-blocker but he could slot in wherever the football team needs him and succeed.
There were plenty of pass-catchers in Washington who flashed this season alongside Terry McLaurin. While that may be true, they need to add more reliable players in that capacity if they are going to help out a young quarterback and progress as an offense.
Elijah Moore has the makings of a potent NFL slot receiver. The 5-9, 185-pounder put up gaudy numbers this past season at Ole Miss with 86 grabs for 1,193 yards and eight scores. He’s quick, shifty and can make people miss in and after his routers. Moore could be a dynamic weapon working inside of McLaurin.
One of the breakout players of the 2020 season for Washington was tight end Logan Thomas. But for as good as he was, he still has development left ahead of him. More importantly, the depth at the position is lacking, which is why the Football Team uses their second third-round pick on Charlie Kolar.
At 6-6, 245 pounds, Kolar isn’t ultra-athletic by any standards. But he is a big body with strong hands and blocking. Moreover, the Iowa State product is a great red-zone weapon who routinely makes catches in traffic. He and Thomas could pair to make a phenomenal tight end duo.
Kamren Curl was a great value pick for Washington but the safety position needs further depth for the defense to take a step forward. That’s where Kobly Harvell-Peele could come into play. He may not be the most adept player in coverage as his feet and hips are lacking but the Oklahoma State product could come in and be a role player with the ability to close up the box and make plays running downhill.
As mentioned, the secondary is lacking in Washington. In fact, you could make a case for addressing cornerback earlier than the fifth round. But getting Olaijah Griffin at this spot is still a nice addition for the franchise.
Griffin checks the boxes from a length and athleticism standpoint and actually has nice footwork in technique in terms of shadowing. However, at only 175 pounds, the USC product lacks a physical element to his game and isn’t a top-tier speedster. With some good weight put on, though, he could develop into a really fine player in the secondary.
Another offensive line addition for the Football Team, the BYU Cougars boasted one of the most underrated units in the country this past season. Tristen Hoge was one of the key cogs of that unit on the interior. While he needs to prove he has adequate movement skills for the NFL, his strength at the point of attack warrant him getting a look from a team that needs depth, such as Washington.
Yes, we’re dipping back to the wide receiver well and hoping that a small-school player like Damonte Coxie, who was extremely productive throughout his time with Memphis, can transition to the next level.
Coxie has a great frame and good hands as part of his arsenal. Having said that, he is not the greatest athlete and needs to develop the nuances of the position rather than just playing in the Memphis offense. In any case, though, he is a worthwhile project who could blossom with time.