Redskins linebacker Preston Smith closes in on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the team’s playoff clash at FedEx Field. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Washington Redskins General Manager Scot McCloughan got rave reviews for his performance in last spring’s NFL draft from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. on Thursday.
During a conference call to discuss the upcoming NFL draft, which gets under way April 28 in Chicago, Kiper used the first question posed to him about the Redskins to note the dividends the team got from McCloughan’s acumen as a talent-evaluator.
“They got as much impact from rookies as any team in the NFL,” Kiper said of the Redskins, listing the contributions of first-round pick Brandon Scherff, who started all 16 games at right guard; second-round pick Preston Smith, who finished strong, with eight sacks, at outside linebacker; third-round pick Matt Jones, who provided a downhill change-up to veteran Alfred Morris; and fourth-round wide receiver and return specialist Jamison Crowder, who finished with 59 catches.
[As the Redskins continued to improve, owner Daniel Snyder was more at ease]
“To me, with McCloughan being a great evaluator, [the Redskins] have a chance to really step it up next year and be right there with the Cowboys in a very competitive division.”
By virtue of their 9-7 finish, the Redskins ended up with the 21st overall pick in the upcoming draft. With it, Kiper predicts the Redskins will select Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander (5-foot-11, 195 pounds), writing in his mock draft posted on ESPN Insider: “Alexander has a ton of upside. He’s just a hair over 5-foot-10, so he’s not a jump-ball winner, but he’s powerful, and will make plays in coverage and attack the line of scrimmage.”
[Mock Draft: Where should the Redskins turn this year?]
The Redskins should have other attractive options, Kiper added on the conference call, if they want to address their secondary with their first-round pick. He cited Baltimore native Kendall Fuller (6-0, 197), a standout at Good Counsel before enrolling at Virginia Tech, where the cornerback earned first-team ACC honors as a sophomore. His junior season was cut short by knee surgery. He also cited Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple (6-1, 200), among nine Buckeyes expected to enter the draft.
Underclassmen have until Monday to declare for the draft.
“If [the Redskins] can get one of those corners, it would be a big pick for them and really help that defense,” Kiper said.
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