by Matthew Cassidy

The Washington Redskins enter draft week

A detail view of a Washington Redskins helmet is seen prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, September 24, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York won 32-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

on the heels of another lackluster regular season campaign, but this time a slivering halo of light awaits at the end of the tunnel. They are in coveted possession of the draft’s second pick.

A lot hangs in the balance with a top five selection. Their level of success can shape the narrative of a franchise’s entire decade. Fortunately, their presumed selection, Ohio State defense end Chase Young, is a transcendent talent who possesses the ability to lead the Redskins back to the Promised Land.

Sound familiar? Washington was in a similar position in 2012, when they traded for and used the 2nd pick to select Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin III. They had a veteran head coach then in Mike Shanahan. They have one now with the hiring of Ron Rivera, who Skins fans hope can harness the talents of a talented young roster.

All that talent failed to coalesce in 2019, which is why they are here. Defensively, they were bad (30th against the run, 48.9% third down conversions allowed) and on offense, they were even worse (dead last in points per game).

Thus, they find themselves in the fresh hell of being simultaneously loaded and lacking, residing in the “playoff contender” and “bottom-dwelling franchise.”

Entering this draft, their list of needs reads like a grocery list. Especially glaring are the lack of top notch depth at the following positions:

Left tackle
Guard
Tight End
Wide Receiver
Defensive End
Cornerback
Safety
Linebacker

Adding a rare talent like Chase Young represents a potentially-big step up the mountain. How the Redskins fare with their other picks will help determine how steep that incline is.

And so, welcome to LMP’s 2020 Redskins draft preview. It’s not a prediction by any stretch, it’s a collection of players that I believe will be available/fill some needs.

While I was unable to address the offensive line early, I did what I could while working within the constraints of not having a second round pick.

Round 1, Pick 2

Chase Young, OSU, DE
6’5”, 264 lbs
Stats: 16.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 21 tackles for loss

When in doubt, don’t over-think things. A player with Young’s skill-set would unlock many doors for his fellow defenders. From a marketing perspective, the local native instantly raises the Redskins’ Q-score from its currently non-existent state.

Round 3, Pick 66

Kyle Dugger, Lenior-Rhyne, S
6’1”, 217 lbs
Stats: 4.49 40, 42” vertical

Kyle Dugger is a rising star who may be a hot commodity come draft day. If he’s still on the board, the Redskins could do worse than securing one of the most explosive athletes in this draft.

At 24, he’s a tad older than your average draft prospect. Also, he played against inferior, DII competition, so you can throw the stats out the window. Still, he has the size, range and tackling ability to line up opposite Landon Collins next season.

Round 4, Pick 108

Devin Asiasi, UCLA, TE
6’3” 257 lbs
Stats: 44 receptions, 641 yards, 4 touchdowns

The Redskins received a virtual bagel in terms of offensive tight end production in 2019.

Enter Asiasi, an emerging talent who broke out in his junior campaign at UCLA. He’s not a burner, but he’s quick. That, combined with his big frame, allows him to make things happen after the catch.

Round 4, Pick 142

James Proche, SMU, WR
5’11”, 201 lbs
Stats: 111 receptions, 1,225 yards, 15 touchdowns

Washington has an outside burner in Terry McLaurin. Proche isn’t a pure slot receiver, but he possesses the elite catch radius and hands to fast become a favorite target for quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Round 5, Pick 162

Tyre Phillips, Mississippi State, IOL
6’5”, 331 lbs
Stats: 5.37 40, 25 vertical, 8.17 3 cone drill

Ereck Flowers’ departure in free agency has left a big hole in the offensive line. Phillips is a truck of a man who provides a big boost in the run game. He’s slow, and may have a difficult time acclimating as a pass-blocker, but the Skins will take what they can get, this deep in the draft.

Round 7, Pick 216

Myles Bryant, Washington, CB
5’8”, 183 lbs
Stats: 4.62 second 40, 31.5” vertical, 6.81 second three-cone drill

Names come and go, but the “help wanted” sign in Ashburn remains perpetually lit. Bryant profiles as a nickel or slot corner, with the tenacity and smarts to play above his physical limitations.

Round 7, Pick 229

Terence Steele, Texas Tech, OT
6’6”, 312 lbs
Stats: 27 bench press reps, 27.5″ vertical

The seventh and final round is like pawing through the $5 DVD bin at Wal-Mart. At this point, teams are clutching for even the slimmest glimmers of potential.

Steele has the frame and raw strength to grow into a regular contributor. He has a ways to go, but could eventually be in regular rotation at RT.