Washington Football Team Mock Draft: A franchise QB finally arrives

5. Fifth Round via trade: Brad Hawkins, S, Michigan

Thanks to the Raiders, Washington has a pick in every round. With it, they head back to Ann Arbor and grab a leader in safety Brad Hawkins. Though Landon Collins currently occupies the strong safety role, he could be let go in a cap move, potentially leaving a big hole in Washington’s secondary.

As such, the franchise should look to find a replacement that fits the salary cap. So, they take one in the draft, and he fits the bill in terms of defensive scheme. Though his pass coverage needs a tune-up, Hawkins has a nose for the football and can attack the line of scrimmage as a box safety.

However, as stated before, his pass coverage skills need addressing. Given how the NFC East is evolving, despite each team having a solid run game, the pass is the modern theme. Plus, there have been times that he has played out of position, which can be a concern. Hawkins will need to adjust to playing more in the back end as opposed to lining up as a box player consistently.

6. Sixth Round: Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh

The trenches will never be not addressed. For Washington, it’s essential that it is solidified if they want to get the best out of their new quarterback. Now, they head back to his house and grab someone who has experience blocking for him in Pittsburgh offensive tackle Carter Warren.

Based on pure measurables, Warren looks like a Day 2 pick. At 6’5″ and weighing 315 pounds, Warren has the athletic ability to play the position. Additionally, his quickness to move into pass protection from the snap of the ball is intriguing. He has good hand placement when handling defenders, and uses proper balancing techniques.

However, his run blocking leaves a lot to be desired. In college, the Panthers focused more on throwing the ball this season, and while the running game was productive, there was not much of an emphasis, but that’s not necessarily a big knock on Warren. It merely states that he will need refining of those skills to be successful on the next level.

7. Seventh Round: Josh Thompson, CB, Texas

It’s that point in the draft where teams will lean on upside more often than not or take a local player to avoid the travel issues. For Washington, they stay true to their style and land Texas defensive back Josh Thompson to close out the draft. While this may be more of a depth piece, the tape shows promise.

Thompson’s best weapon is his speed, as he is fast enough to be on the outside with any receiver. Additionally, he possesses the height for a coveted cornerback at six feet. He is also good at understanding what is asked of him and very rarely finds himself not playing disciplined football, which is a trait that coaches will want on their team in a heartbeat.

The flip side is that Thompson was not always matched up with the best receiver from the opposition, and there have been times where specific routes have led him to lose track of his assignment. Still, that can be fixed, given his willingness to learn and process information.

This is a passing league, and teams will do anything to get people to prevent the opposition from throwing all over them, and Thompson can help in that regard.