Round 7, Pick 229: James Smith-Williams, DE
The Redskins had one more pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (229th overall) and used it on James Smith-Williams. Technically this is a really solid value pick. However, Washington didn’t really need a defensive end. Having depth on the defensive line is fantastic, but the Redskins already have so much of it.
Remember the group of players that Khaleke Hudson has to compete with? Well here’s Smith-Williams’ list. Young, Sweat Allen, Ioannidis, Kerrigan, and Anderson can be thrown in the mix again. Now you’re adding Da’Ron Payne, Tim Settle and Caleb Brantley as well though.
To be fair, there’s a lot to like about Smith-Williams he’s an absolute tank listed at 6-3, 265 pounds. He’s also been heavily praised for being an incredibly hard worker. Just off that alone you have to like the prospect.
He’s a big body who will constant work hard to improve and never be satisfied. However, he’s also had serious injury problems. In 2019, he played in just six games. And has missed a ton of time in his college career due to injuries.
That being said, this is a seventh-round pick. Let’s not worry too much about injury concerns in this slot. In fact, if it wasn’t for those injuries, Smith-Williams likely wouldn’t even have been available here.
Still, the Redskins had much bigger needs (especially at tight end which they still hadn’t addressed at this point). And there were a few players that many thought they could snatch up that would be considered serious steals here. So Smith-Williams’ grade definitely has to take a bit of a hit due to that.
Give him a chance though. It sounds like the work ethic is something that will make the coaching staff love him. And he’s not going to quit. So maybe Washington got a serious steal here. For now, though, we have to look at the pick in a vacuum.
Pick Grade: C