New Head Coach Ron Rivera, and VP of Player Personnel Kyle Smith led the team in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was held for the virtually due to the pandemic. Rivera and Smith had definitely had a plan to add athleticism and versatility through the draft, while never reaching for a need, but adding talent that can help the team right away. Let’s grade the picks that the Redskins made.

• 1st Round (2nd Overall) EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State- The obvious choice here and the most anticipated draft pick since 2012 with QB Robert Griffin III. A potential franchise altering talent that many considered the talent in the draft. Young was the fourth consecutive defensive line selection for the Redskins and should give the team  dominant defensive front. With the team switching to a 4-3 defense, Young will be right at home on either side. Combined with Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan, the team has a rotation of edge rushers. Grade- A+

  

• 3rd Round (66th Overall) RB/WR Antonio Gibson, Memphis-  The Redskins had no second pick because of the trade up last year to draft Montez Sweat. Gibson was a productive athlete who lined up all over the field for the Memphis Tigers. Gibson will do the same as Ron Rivera compared him to RB Christian McCaffery in Carolina. This was an excellent value and the Redskins will use him in the backfield and at receiver. Grade- A
• 4th Round (108th Overall) OT Saahdiq Charles, Louisiana State- Minutes after trading away OT Trent Williams, the Redskins got the steal of the draft in my opinion by drafting Charles. Charles had red flags coming from suspensions for drug use (marijuana.) However when on the field Charles matched up with the best of SEC and frequently won. His on field talent is limitless and Coach Rivera, the new regime, and the character guys on this team should help be a mentor for Charles. Should be in competition to start right away at left tackle or could be moved inside to guard. Grade A+
• 4th Round (142 Overall) WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty-  Another steal for the Redskins was using their compensation pick drafting Antonio Gandy-Golden at this slot. Gandy-Golden is 6’4″, 223 pounds, and has strong hands. Gandy-Golden is a high riser who can be the compliment to Terry McLaurin on the outside. This gives the Redskins along with Kelvin Harmon and Stephen Sims, a young talented wide receiving corps to pair with Dewayne Haskins. Grade- A+
• 5th Round (156 Overall) C Keith Ismael, San Diego State- In the 5th round the team starting drafting picks that could help down the road and not necessarily in 2020. Ismael played all interior offensive line positions in college, but forecasts to be primarily a center in the NFL. Definitely on the lighter side listed at 309 pounds, he played less than that most of the time. Ismael is a perfect center for a outside zone based running game. Ismael is a backup plan for Chase Rouiller if he departs after the season. Grade- B-
• 5th Round (162 Overall) OLB Khaleke Hudson, Michigan- In a pick received from Seattle in the Quinton Dunbar, the Redskins drafted  Khaleke Hudson. The smaller Hudson, listed at 5’11” and 224 pounds, was a productive player for the Wolverines. Hudson is a future at the WILL linebacker position, he will be joining a crowded linebacker corps. Could be a special teamer right away, which is his course of making the roster. Grade B-
• 7th Round (216 Overall) S Kamren Curl, Arkansas- In the seventh round teams are drafting projects and Kamren Curl is one of those projects. Curl as decent size but lacks overall range to play free safety. Curl did play cornerback as well and with Jack Del Rio and Ron Rivera’s defense, they tend to like bigger zone corners. Curl could be a project in either place but he loves to tackle and that is a big plus. Early projection is practice squad. Grade C
• 7th Round (229 Overall) DE James Smith-Williams, North Carolina State- With their last pick the Redskins took a flyer on James Smith-Williams. Smith has some impressive measurables running the fastest 40 yard dash of defensive lineman at the combine standing 6’4″ and 265 pounds. Smith-Williams most productive season was his junior year where compiled 36 tackles with 6 sacks. Smith-Williams will be joining others to be the backup to the three top edge rushers. Grade C-

Overall the first draft of this Ron Rivera regime was well done and showed a commitment to athleticism and versatility. And while some of these names do not flash right away, the team is definitely building to the future and for the most part drafted high character guys who will buy into this system. This draft was not about 2020 results but more about 2021 and 2022. Overall B+

Felix Trammell