2013 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft
Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins helmets along the sidelines prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Team Needs:
CB x2, RT, S, ILB, TE, WR, C
2nd Round 51st Overall: Phillip Thomas S, Fresno State
After trading away their first round pick to acquire Robert Griffin III, so will have to fill their voids later this year. Washington has to focus on improving their secondary in the draft, and that starts at safety. Fresno State Bulldogs S Phillip Thomas is the perfect fit for the Redskins defense. An instinctual safety with nice size and speed and would have gone higher if not for an injury in 2011. Thomas doesn’t have great speed and can get burnt at times when he tries to jump a route, but he can give the Redskins an instant-impact safety. As a late 2nd Round pick, he provides great value for Washington.
3rd Round 85th Overall: Brian Schwenke C, California
While the Redskins defense needs a lot of help, they also need to boost the offensive live and help protect RGIII. One of my favorite interior linemen in the 2013 class is California Bears C Brian Schwenke. Schwenke is a scheme-dependent center, but is a match made in heaven for the Redskins zone-blocking scheme. Schwenke doesn’t have great size but he makes up for it with his athleticism and strong anchor. Schwenke can also handle bigger defenders because of his quick burst off the snap and ability to keep leverage. He still needs to work on improving his snap and making reads, but he has the chance to be the best center in this draft.
4th Round 119th Overall: Dwayne Gratz CB, Connecticut
After taking care of the safety position with their first pick, Washington now looks to fill the void left by Deangelo Hall. Hall was overpaid but still provided the Redskins with some help in a weak secondary. Connecticut Huskies CB Dwayne Gratz doesn’t have great size, but can help the Redskins against both the run and the pass. He isn’t afraid to come up and make contact against the run, and shows decent awareness of what is going on. Gratz needs to improve his instincts and still hasn’t learned how to read routes or the QB’’s eyes. He will make plenty of mistakes as a rookie, but he should help upgrade the Redskins defense.
5th Round 154th Overall: B.W. Webb CB, William & Mary
The Redskins already spent 2 picks in the secondary, but that still isn’t enough if they want to be the team to beat in the NFC East. B.W. Webb is another small-school CB who has risen up draft boards, as he impresses scouts and general managers during workouts. Webb is a very athletic corner, with the speed and fluid hips to stick to his man. He also has the leaping ability to go up for a ball and knock it down, as proven by his 30 deflections in four seasons. Webb is still raw and played against weak competition, but the tools are there to be a starting CB in the NFL. He could be a great find in the 5th Round and provide Washington with depth in the secondary.
5th Round 162nd Overall (from NE): Oday Aboushi OT, Virginia Cavaliers
Another need the Redskins must fill in the draft is at right tackle. While Trent Williams has done an excellent job protecting the left side, Griffin III needs a reliable right tackle. Virginia OT Oday Aboushi may not be an athletic tackle, but he is still regarded as one of the most physical in the draft. Aboushi impressed scouts during the Senior Bowl with his ability to find his way into the second level to block, but verified concerns about his athleticism. While he spent time at left tackle in college, he is better suited to start on the right side in the NFL. With Aboushi, Williams and Schwenke among the front five, RGIII just have plenty of protection in the future.
6th Round 191st Overall: Tavarres King WR, Georgia
After addressing needs on the offensive line and in the secondary, Washington now has to find some new weapons for Griffin III to throw to. Santana Moss is getting near retirement and while the Redskins recently invested in Pierre Garcon and drafted Leonard Hankerson, you can never have enough weapons. Georgia Bulldogs WR Tavarres King can line up on the outside and give the Redskins a nice deep threat. King has fluid hips and can make cuts quickly or change the angle of his body to catch the football. The biggest concern about King is his very thin frame. His lack of size may force him to play outside, to avoid taking hits across the middle. RGIII would be happy to have a strong arsenal to work with and King adds to that.
7th Round 228th Overall: Jake Stoneburner TE, Ohio State
While Fred Davis became a favorite of Robert Griffin III in the early part of the season, the lack of depth became evident when Davis was lost for the season. Now Davis is a free agent and may not return to D.C, so Washington needs to find insurance at the position. Ohio State Buckeyes TE Jake Stoneburner falls to the 7th because of off-the-field issues and a lack of production in college. Stoneburner spent much of his time this season either suspended or injured, but when active the talent was evident. He needs to grow up and prove he can stay healthy, but can provide nice depth for the Redskins and could step up if Davis were to leave.
Summary:
The Redskins fill most of their needs in this draft adding three defensive backs, two offensive linemen, a tight end and receiver. They still need to find a future replacement for London Fletcher, but have their hands tied with only a handful of picks. This draft will give a major boost to the Redskins secondary, and help protect the face of the franchise. This would be a solid draft for the Redskins, and one they could be happy with on draft day.