The Washington Redskins are in a prime position sitting with the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. On one hand they’ll have the opportunity of drafting arguably the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft in DMV native and Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young. On the other, they can auction the spot for a king’s ransom for teams wanting to trade up to draft Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Selecting Young with the second overall pick is the presumed most likely scenario. However, listening to offers from teams wanting to leapfrog each other for Tagovailoa is smart. That’s why according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the Redskins are slated to meet with the former Alabama quarterback this week.
Even if it’s just due diligence.
Quarterback needy teams picking inside the top-10 such as Miami Dolphins (5th overall) and Los Angeles Chargers (6th overall) may try their hands to move up in the draft to get Tagovailoa. Don’t count out the Detroit Lions, who pick third overall. Matthew Stafford’s time in the Motor City could be up soon. With any level of interest by the Lions, that could send the others in panic mode, forcing them to up their ante to jump ahead of the third pick.
Head Coach Ron Rivera and VP of Player Personnel Kyle Smith are sure to listen for anything that grabs their attention.
Concerns over Tagovailoa’s hip injury that forced him to miss the final three games of last season have been subdued some with reports he is progressing on schedule. At the Combine, Tagovailoa announced Tuesday he is expected to receive a full medical clearance in time for Alabama’s pro day.
That news alone has sprung him back into the top-6 by most notable mock drafts. The Redskins have a ton of needs across their roster, but have already invested in quarterback Dwayne Haskins with one of their two first-round picks last year. Quarterback isn’t a need, per say. Defensive end isn’t a pressing need either given they traded up for Montez Sweat to pick with their second first-round pick last year.
The trade for Sweat has left them without a second-round pick this year. The Dolphins are in dire need of quarterback. They played the entire 2019 season with “Tank for Tua” as their mantra. They also have three first-round picks (fifth, 18th and 26th overall) in this year’s draft. Additionally, they have two second-round picks.
Landing the No. 5 pick along with 18th and/or 26th overall pick and future assets in the way of draft picks beyond 2020 would be an incredible haul for the Redskins. One that is intriguing in another other year that a monstrous defensive end like Young was not available. That notion shouldn’t change the Redskins’ approach.
Yes, it is safe to bet Young will be wearing a Washington Redskins uniform in 2020. But, it’s both expected and brilliant that Washington’s brass will do their due diligence before locking into a decision.
