Grading the 2019 NFL Draft: NFC East
By Bryan Perez
Washington Redskins
The Redskins waited patiently in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft and their patience paid off. They landed Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins, who will be given every chance to start for Washington in Week 1 this season. Unlike the New York Giants who appear willing to let Daniel Jones sit the bench for two or three seasons, Haskins is already being pegged the face of the franchise and the likely starter.
Whether Haskins was the right selection is up for debate. He’s young and has issues on tape (sitting duck in the pocket, inconsistent accuracy down the field) that could lead to a longer-than-desired learning curve in the NFL.
Still, to land a potential franchise quarterback at No. 15 is a big win for Washington.
In the second round, the Redskins hit big with their selection of Mississippi State edge defender, Montez Sweat. Once considered a top-10 prospect in this class, Sweat fell out of the first round because of a heart condition revealed at the NFL combine (which has since been disputed). He, like Haskins, can be a plug-and-play starter in Week 1. In fact, it would come as no surprise if Sweat is the best pass rusher to emerge from the 2019 draft class.
Washington wisely chose Ohio State WR Terry McLaurin in the third round to give Dwayne Haskins a familiar target and friendly face in the locker room. The same benefits apply to McLaurin, too. And let’s not forget the former Buckeye receiver’s natural ability on the field. He’s a speed demon (4.35 40-yard dash), a high-character teammate and a schooled route-runner. He has a chance to make a lot of plays for the Redskins as a rookie.
McLaurin and Haskins weren’t the only skill players added to Washington’s offense, either. Stanford RB Bryce Love was selected in the fourth round and NC State WR Kelvin Harmon in the sixth. Love is rehabbing a torn ACL from December and probably won’t make much of a contribution in 2019, but Harmon has a chance to contend for reps with the starters early next season.
The rest of Washington’s draft class includes Wes Martin (iOL, Indiana), Ross Pierschbacher (iOL, Alabama), Cole Holcomb (LB, North Carolina), Jimmy Moreland (CB, James Madison), Jordan Brailford (Edge, Oklahoma State).