The Washington Redskins have the No. 21 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and need to use that pick and all the rest of them to fill some needs on this roster. Washington surprised with a playoff run in 2015, but that doesn't mean this team is anywhere near complete. Here are their five most important position needs to address in April.
Note: Some of these may change due to free agency.
- - NT Terrance Knighton (UFA)
- - RB Alfred Morris (UFA)
- - FB Darrel Young (UFA)
- - QB Kirk Cousins (UFA; almost certainly going to be re-signed)
- - CB Will Blackmon (UFA)
- - LB Will Compton (RFA)
- - LB Keenan Robinson (UFA)
Needs:
5. Wide Receiver
Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder are some solid wideouts. However, they lack a No. 1. If someone like Laquan Treadwell were to somehow drop all the way to No. 21 in the draft, I just might take him if I were the Redskins. After all, their best receiving target is undoubtedly Jordan Reed at this point, and he's their tight end.
4. Inside Linebacker
Both Compton and Robinson are due to be free agents this year, though, the Redskins do have more control over Compton's RFA status. That said, inside linebacker is still a need. They need someone to lineup next to Compton and help control the opponent's run game in 2016 and beyond. Drafting one in the middle rounds may not be a bad idea.
3. Running Back
Morris' contract is up, and it's anyone's guess if he'll want to come back after this past season. He lost a lot of playing time to rookie Matt Jones, and neither of them were even close to cracking 4.0 yards per pop. If he does indeed decide to leave, bringing in another running back to pair with Jones would be the best way to go, and there are options in the draft this year, especially after the first couple of rounds.
2. Nose Tackle
One of the bigger names hitting the free-agent market this offseason is Knighton, and he'll be highly sought after. What that means is it'll be difficult economically for Washington to retain him, especially since they're going to have to fork over a pretty penny to keep Cousins.
Considering that fact, if he does sign elsewhere, nose tackle will be a huge area of need in the draft, worthy of drafting in the first round or two.
1. Offensive Guard
The biggest need of all, however, appears to be offensive guard for the Redskins. The offensive line did a tremendous job protecting Cousins this year as a whole, but the run game was atrocious. Generally, if your run game is that poor, the middle of the offensive line isn't getting enough push, and plays are getting blown up from the inside. Rookie Brandon Scherff obviously isn't losing his starting job at right guard, but Spencer Long at left just might. The Redskins should look to take a guard in the first few rounds of the draft, and solidify that spot for the short and potentially long-term.
