NFL Draft 32 for 32 - Washington Redskins

April 10, 2019

Brandon Murchison's 2019 NFL Draft team previews moves on to the Washington Redskins. The Redskins will be a new look offense in 2019 with Derrius Guice returning as well as a new QB. Who will be the key fantasy players for this team? What impact will the rookies drafted have on the fantasy values of this team?

The Washington Redskins are another intriguing team heading towards the NFL Draft. After the injury to Alex Smith sent them scrambling for a QB, the team decided to trade for Case Keenum, who disappointed in his only year in Denver. Keenum, assuming he starts, will not have much to work with on the outside. Gone is Jamison Crowder, leaving a major hole in the slot. A position that could get fixed in the draft or with everyone's favorite deep sleeper, Trey Quinn. The starting receivers currently are the disappointing Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson. Needless to say, this offense needs a playmaker in the passing game. It remains to be seen if that will be by selecting a quarterback, a wide receiver, or perhaps both.

The running game is where this team is buttering their bread. Derrius Guice will be back from his torn ACL suffered before the 2018 season and has been looking impressive in offseason workouts. Guice has all the tools you want in a starting fantasy RB. He can fill the stat sheet with rushing yardage, catch the ball out of the backfield, and get you into the end-zone. An all-around PPR format beast. He will be drafted as an RB2 in most drafts, but will this Redskins coaching staff give him the touches to allow him to post RB1 numbers? Unfortunately, that may not be the case after the team resigned Adrian Peterson, coming back from a decently productive season (1,042 yards and 8 total TDs). The presence of Peterson in this backfield will only hinder the ceiling of Guice in 2019.

Looking ahead to the draft, the Redskins could go a myriad of ways in their selections. But, I expect for them to focus in on the offensive side of the ball. The team is devoid of playmakers on that side of the ball, and outside of Guice, they could go for some infusion of new talent.

Top Three Projected Selections

First Round- D.K. Metcalf, WR Ole Miss (15th overall)
Second Round- Michael Dieter, OG Ole Miss (46th)
Third Round- Kaden Smith, TE Stanford (76th)

Remaining Picks
Third Round- 96th
Fifth Round- 153rd, 173rd
Sixth Round- 206th
Seventh Round- 227th, 253rd

If you're looking to add a playmaker on offense, why not start your draft off with the much talked about D.K. Metcalf? The obvious comparison is there to Josh Gordon. He is a big, explosive receiver that can get down the field and expose a defense over the top. The league has been in awe of Metcalf since the combine as many teams have done their due diligence on him. His skill-set is still somewhat unpolished as his route running could improve as well as his flexibility. But a team will overlook those things for what he can bring to the table now. He's not my top receiver in this class, but he could very well be the first one off of the board at the end of April. If he lands in Washington, Metcalf will be a popular option in seasonal drafts, especially standard scoring formats, due to his red-zone potential. But let's not forget how limited the Broncos passing attack was under Keenum. Besides that, Metcalf is without a doubt one of the top picks in dynasty drafts and could be a player for years to come.

Adding to the offensive line will be another key in this draft for the Redskins. Which is what they intend on doing with the selection of Michael Dieter. He is a guard/center prospect that uses his big frame to bully opposing defenders off the ball. He excels more in running style schemes, which is what the Redskins will likely focus on. As he develops at the next level, he projects to be a regular starter throughout most of his career.

Another addition to this offense, Kaden Smith will give the team another option to groom as Jordan Reed becomes expendable with his injury history. His style of play is somewhat similar to Reed as he is a player that can lineup out wide as a receiver and has adequate abilities as a blocker. He could create mismatches over the middle for a defense, but will likely never be a major factor in an offense ala a Zach Ertz. His production will come in bunches and is destined to be waiver wire fodder for most of his career in fantasy.

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