Washington Redskins: 5 First-Round Options To Watch At 2017 NFL Combine

4. Malik McDowell, DL – Michigan State

Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell is a bit of an enigma. He possesses all-world talent, but it didn’t exactly show up for the Spartans on a consistent basis. McDowell was outstanding as a sophomore in 2015. However, he appeared to take a step back in 2016. If you watch his film, you see a player who doesn’t give maximum effort on every play. When he does, he can be dominant. He’s scheme-versatile and can move all around the defensive line.

If you’re drafting solely on potential, McDowell could be a top-five pick. Drafting on potential often gets general managers fired. Will McCloughan roll the dice on a player like McDowell? Remember, his first three picks last year either didn’t see the field much or struggled. With recent reports that team president Bruce Allen is putting the pressure on McCloughan to nail this draft, McDowell could be a risky proposition. Like many others in this class, that puts extra weight on how he interviews at the Combine. 

McDowell has a higher ceiling than Jonathan Allen but isn’t nearly as consistent or productive. He could, however, be the steal of the draft if that potential turns into production. With new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula on board, the Redskins now have one of the more respected D-line coaches in all of the NFL. Would McCloughan roll the dice and trust Tomsula with the talented McDowell?