Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Washington Football Team Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Washington Football Team from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for Washington:
Rotoworld - Thor Nystrom (8/21)
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
I believe in Dwayne Haskins. But if Washington is picking second again – as they are in this exercise – that assuredly means Haskins didn't take the developmental step forward in 2020 that Washington might need to see to eschew a quarterback prospect like Justin Fields. Washington's new staff and brain trust didn't choose Haskins, and likely won't afford him a long leash. If Washington was picking No. 2 and wanted to stick with Haskins, conversely, the No. 2 slot would become prime trade-out real estate, and Washington could field Godfather move-up offers from teams like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Indianapolis, or Chicago. Either way, Fields is the odds-on 1.2 favorite currently.
PFF - Mike Renner (8/19)
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
They were No. 1 and No. 2 as recruits. Now, they're No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Fields doesn't even need a 2020 season to solidify his spot here -- that's how good he was in his lone year as a starter. His 92.4 passing grade trailed only Joe Burrow nationally last season. In the same offense with the likes of Parris Campbell and Terry Mclaurin the year prior, Dwayne Haskins only put up an 84.9 passing grade in 2018. And that doesn't even take into account the fact that Fields will likely run in the 4.5s and went for 688 yards on the ground with 20 broken tackles on 72 carries last season.
The Draft Network - Kyle Crabbs (8/19)
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Provided Washington falls this far in the draft order once again this season, something went terribly, terribly wrong. Yes, it'd be easy to cast blame at the feet of QB Dwayne Haskins -- but one look at Washington's depth chart makes it clear he's not set up for success in 2020. Build around him now and then when the 2021 season comes and goes, the infrastructure will make it easier to attack replacing Haskins if it is deemed necessary with a better supporting cast.
Pro Football Network - Oliver Hodgkinson (8/16)
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
With Trent Williams departed to the 49ers, there is an undeniable need at offensive tackle for the Washington Football Team at the 2021 NFL Draft. Derrius Guice's dismissal from Washington leaves a hole in the running back room, which will need filling, and for some, the jury is still out on quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Safety Sean Davis will be out of contract at the end of the year, with safety and cornerback being the main defensive priorities.
Athletic, strong, and dominant, Penei Sewell has everything that you want in an offensive tackle and then some. Equally as impressive in pass blocking or run blocking, Sewell is not only the best offensive tackle in this 2021 NFL Draft class, but also the best offensive tackle prospect in a number of years.
Athletic, strong, and dominant, Penei Sewell has everything that you want in an offensive tackle and then some. Equally as impressive in pass blocking or run blocking, Sewell is not only the best offensive tackle in this 2021 NFL Draft class, but also the best offensive tackle prospect in a number of years.
ESPN - Todd McShay (8/12)
2. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Washington went out and got Kendall Fuller in free agency, but with Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby set to be free agents next spring, this CB group needs a punch. And Surtain -- the son of former Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain -- is a real shutdown corner. I love his instincts, ball skills and ability to wrap up and make a tackle, but what stands out is how well he diagnoses routes and funnels receivers to where he wants them to go. He might just end up the best defensive player in the entire 2021 class, and along with 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, he'd help revamp a Washington defense that was No. 27 in yards allowed per game in 2019 (though it'd be hard for Washington to leave a guy like LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase on the board with its issues at receiver).
The Draft Network - Jordan Reid (8/10)
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Holding the No. 2 overall selection, it's logical to think that things didn't go as planned with quarterback Dwayne Haskins under center. Taking a bit of a different approach, though, the franchise elects to find help for the former first-round pick instead of opting to replace him only two years into his career.
The team shipped disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams to San Francisco and selected former LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Having done that, it should in no way deter the team from taking a player of Sewell's stature due to his upside being much more apparent. Having the All-American tackle protect Haskins gives him the protection he needs going forward.
The team shipped disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams to San Francisco and selected former LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Having done that, it should in no way deter the team from taking a player of Sewell's stature due to his upside being much more apparent. Having the All-American tackle protect Haskins gives him the protection he needs going forward.
Pro Football Network - Matthew Valdovinos (8/9)
2. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
This is a difficult decision to make because I'm a believer in Dwayne Haskins. With that being said, if Washington finds itself selecting second overall for the second time in two years, it will likely mean they're in search of their next franchise quarterback.
The spot for QB2 behind Lawrence is a two-horse race between Lance and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. In my time, Fields has been the most common QB connected to Washington, so I decided to mix it up and mock them the top FCS player in the country.
The spot for QB2 behind Lawrence is a two-horse race between Lance and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. In my time, Fields has been the most common QB connected to Washington, so I decided to mix it up and mock them the top FCS player in the country.
The Draft Network - Joe Marino (8/3)
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
I'm not ready to kick Dwayne Haskins to the curb, but picking again at the No. 2 slot doesn't bode well for how he progressed in year two, making Fields a viable option for consideration.
Fields is a wonderful projection to Scott Turner's offense that features plenty of schemed throws, vertical passing, and involvement of the quarterback in the run game. While it would be ideal to see another season of high-level performance from Fields before forecasting him to be such a high pick, the skill set he put on display during his one year as a starter for the Buckeyes is exciting and perfect for today's NFL.
Fields is a wonderful projection to Scott Turner's offense that features plenty of schemed throws, vertical passing, and involvement of the quarterback in the run game. While it would be ideal to see another season of high-level performance from Fields before forecasting him to be such a high pick, the skill set he put on display during his one year as a starter for the Buckeyes is exciting and perfect for today's NFL.
Previous update: Washington Football Team Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
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