The 2015 NFL Draft has ended and, for Washington Redskins fans, it was one of the most anticipated in recent history. For the first time since 2012, the team had a first-round pick. But even though the team possibility got themselves a game-changing player, the first pick wasn’t splashy. Actually, overall the draft moves the team made had a sort of hard-working, blue-collar feel to them. The way the entire thing played out showed just the kind of “meat and potatoes” approach that McCloughan has been described as taking in the past to this event.
Offensive guard/tackle Brandon Scherff was the lucky first-round draftee. The bruiser-of-a-lineman, linebacker Preston Smith and running back Matt Jones were first three selections the team made (first, second and third-round picks respectively). Interestingly, linebacker and running back were not high on the list of “must haves” in Washington for many around the league. But McCloughan said he was going to go for “best available player” and it must be assumed that these guys ranked the highest at the spots in which they were picked.
The later rounds of the draft for the team were productive, especially with regard to its struggling special teams and in the end, McCloughan got what he wanted… more picks than the seven with which he began the weekend.
After making the round-one and round-two selections, the GM offered the Redskins’ third-round pick (69th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks for additional selections. In return, Washington received four. Seattle’s third (95th overall), their fourth (112nd overall), their fifth (#167) and their sixth (181st overall) picks became a bounty for Washington.
Out of the 10 picks that Washington made (they had seven going into Thursday night); several of the men are known for their potential on special teams. This is important for any rookie because many times, this unit is where guys get ample opportunities to make their mark.
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (from Duke University) was taken in the fourth round (105th overall) and is an especially good find for Washington. He is a strong punt returner — a place where the Redskins have been shaky at best recently — and will absolutely compete for a starting job there
Strong safety Kyshen Jarrett (a Virginia Tech product) was selected in the sixth round (181st overall) and his potential on special teams got a nod from Head Coach Jay Gruden during Gruden’s post-draft press conference.
“We liked what we saw on tape, and we liked his demeanor and the way he plays,” was one of the things Gruden said about the former Hokie. “Physically tough and makes up for not being 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-1 with physical toughness and on special teams.”
Wide receiver Evan Spencer (out of Ohio State University) a sixth round pick (187th overall) was called a “demon” on special teams by the head coach. An added plus is that the former Buckeye apparently loves the role… something not all that common.
Any time a selection is made in any draft it is pretty much like buying a foal from the Keenland Annual September Sale. This sale is frequented to find that one horse that will win the Triple Crown. No matter how much due diligence is put in, it’s still basically a shot-in-the-dark… a guessing game based on months of research. But it certainly helps when the person buying that foal has years of experience and a good track record like McCloughan.
The Washington Redskins selected the following players in the 2015 NFL Draft:
1 (5) OL Brandon Scherff, 6’5”, 319 lbs. Iowa
2 (38) LB Preston Smith, 6’5”, 271 lbs. Mississippi State
3 (95) 1 RB Matt Jones, 6’2”, 231 lbs. Florida
4 (105) WR Jamison Crowder, 5’8”, 185 lbs. Duke
4 (112) 2 OL Arie Kouandjio, 6’5”, 310 lbs. Alabama
5 (141) LB Martrell Spaight, 6’0”, 236 lbs. Arkansas
6 (181) 3 S Kyshoen Jarrett, 5’10”, 200 lbs. Virginia Tech
6 (182) CB Tevin Mitchel, 6’0”, 183 lbs. Arkansas
6 (187) 4 WR Evan Spencer, 6’2”, 208 lbs. Ohio State
7 (222) C Austin Reiter, 6’3”, 296 lbs. South Florida
1 From Seattle
2 From Seattle through New Orleans
3 From Seattle through New York Jets
4 From New Orleans
A lot of these guys are described as “tough” or “powerful.” Most of them are bigger than what the Redskins have generally had on the team except for Crowder and Jarrett. But what these two lack in size, they apparently make up for in attitude and other attributes good enough that McCloughan wanted them on the team.
For instance, the 5’10” safety Jarrett is described as having a “high-motor player with an attacking nature.” Mitchel, a cornerback of average height, was listed as being a “fluid athlete with natural coverage skills who changes directions easily and flashes the hand-eye coordination to rip passes away as they arrive, as well as make the interception.”
There has also been talk of several undrafted free agents having been signed by the team and they will add even more depth and competition to the larger offseason roster.
There were really no huge splashes in this draft save for the surprise of Scherff being picked earlier than many draft experts had thought was appropriate and the fact that he was brought in instead of defensive star Leonard Williams who was still on the board.
Obviously, how well this particular class pans out for the Washington remains to be seen. But so far, it is looking a lot like what the GM talked about for so long and that is a start toward a big, powerful — and even somewhat nasty — new and improved Redskins team.
Hail.