With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

By Maxwell Ogden

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Washington Redskins acquired the quarterback on offense by trading for former Kansas City Chiefs star Alex Smith. Next on the agenda is acquiring the quarterback on defense, as Washington has one of the worst linebacker corps in the NFL.

I have Rashaan Evans rated higher than most, but he’s the perfect player to fill Washington’s most glaring void at the 2018 NFL Draft.

Evans has the combination of size, strength, and range that coaches are looking for in contemporary linebackers. He has supreme speed and agility, as well as the explosiveness to lay into a ball carrier at the line of scrimmage.

Beyond the athletic gifts, Evans has the patience and football IQ to see a play through and ensure that he makes the right play at the right time.

If Washington continues to run its 3-4 defense, Evans will fit in wonderfully as an inside linebacker. If the team were to  go to a 4-3 set, he could still thrive as a weakside linebacker who can help fortify one side of the field.

One might argue that this is a bit of a reach, but finding an inside linebacker to anchor your defense for the next 10 seasons is paramount in any era.

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