The 2016 NFL Draft order is finally set for the first round following Super Bowl 50. All 31 picks are in place, as the New England Patriots had to forfeit their first-rounder after DeflateGate. Picking No. 21 overall is the Washington Redskins, and they're in need of help in a few areas. But with this selection, Alabama LB Reggie Ragland must be the choice.
Washington is a team that wasn't expected to make much noise in 2015. Yes, the defense was anticipated to be good, but the offense was supposed to struggle as well.
Instead, things were flip-flopped based on expectations. The defense was OK, but it wasn't a dominant group. Meanwhile, the offense really sparked a second-half of the season run led by Kirk Cousins to win the NFC East and make the playoffs. It was a good showing, but obviously, they struggled in the first round, losing to the Green Bay Packers at home.
It was clear that even though they had talent defensively, a leader was missing. London Fletcher-Baker played his last season in 2013, and he's been missed ever since in the heart of the unit.
He was the voice of the defense for seven years, and had a big impact on them. As most middle linebackers should, he was the one who gave the plays, got everyone lined up and audibled based upon what the offense was doing. Fletcher was the "quarterback of the defense," and that's been missing for two seasons.
The lack of that presence is why Reggie Ragland makes so much sense. He was a two-year started at Bama, and that's about as good of a prep of NFL work as you'll get as an inside linebacker in college.
Ragland is an incredibly intelligent linebacker. His football IQ is excellent, which is indicative of his preparation and ability to be coached is solid. Those are great qualities for a leader of a defense, and the Redskins would be wise to take him.
They need a player in the middle to take over for young or less talented guys such as Will Compton and Mason Foster.
Now Ragland could stand to drop about 10 pounds to improve his agility and quickness, even at 6-foot-2, 252 pounds, he was a force to be reckoned with sideline to sideline in college against a high level of competition. It is overplayed, the talent of the SEC, but only a bit. Ragland had an impact no matter the opponent, and simply understands how to play the game.
The Redskins' defense would make a big improvement in the middle by adding Ragland, and they shouldn't hesitate to take him if available at No. 21.
