Philadelphia Eagles: Analyzing 2020 NFL Draft results across NFC East

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Washington Redskins

Draft selections: Chase Young, Edge (Round 1, 2nd overall); Antonio Gibson RB/WR (Round 3, 66th overall); Saahdiq Charles, OT (Round 4, 108th overall); Antonio-Gandy Golden, WR (Round 4, 142nd overall); Keith Ismael, C (Round 5, 156th overall); Khaleke Hudson, LB (Round 5, 162nd overall); Karmen Curl, S (Round 7, 216th overall); James Smith-Williams, Edge (Round 7, 229th overall)

Few teams had as easy of a first-round assignment as the Redskins, who came away from the draft with what may be a generational edge rush talent in Ohio State’s Chase Young.

The 21-year-old Maryland native has long been considered the crown jewel of the 2020 class, ranked as this year’s best overall prospect by Daniel Jeremiah, who compares him to Julius Peppers and Mario Williams.

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Young joins what could be one of the league’s most formidable defense lines, which now boasts four former first-round starters in Young, Montez Sweat, Da’Ron Payne, and Jonathan Allen.

Alongside veteran edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan, the first selection of the Ron Rivera era in Washington in Young effectively stamps the team’s identify as a haven for rushing the opposing quarterback.

Without a second-round selection, which was originally used in the trade to acquire Sweat last year with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington acquired speedy offensive weapon Antonio Gibson out of the University of Memphis with its first pick in the third round.

Gibson shot up draft boards after the 2020 combine, running a startling 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. The newest tool for second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins adds a needed degree of versatility to the Washington offense, which scored the least total points in the league during the 2019 season.

The immediate comparison to the last running back selected by Ron Rivera during his tenure in Carolina (Christian McCaffrey) may be a bit overzealous, but Gibson offers a potential formative building block around Haskins as he continues to develop.

Aside from Young, however, Washington’s most notable draft move came a bit out of left field. In the middle of Day 3, longtime left tackle Trent Williams was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2020 fifth-round pick and 2021 third-round pick.

The seven-time Pro Bowl tackle didn’t suit up for Washington last season, sitting out over contentions with the team’s medical staff. Prior to the move, the team selected LSU offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles with its fourth-round selection, who could potentially fortify the hole Williams left, or fill in at guard.

Notable character concerns plagued Charles’ draft stock, who received numerous team suspensions during his short collegiate career.

What Improved?

The presence of Young on the already-formidable Washington defensive line can add a special gravity to the entire defense, giving Redskins fans something positive to look forward to in what has been an era mired by relative disappointment.

The franchise failed to finish better than third overall in the NFC East in six out of the past seven seasons, sporting only two years with a winning record, and one lone playoff appearance.

The start of the Rivera era in and of itself may have already been a victory, giving the organization potential stability at the head coaching position, but the addition of Young on defense gives Washington a much-need identity.

What Didn’t Improve?

McLaurin’s surprising ascension after getting selected in the third round of 2019 draft may have already netted the Redskins a star offensive playmaker, but the pass-catching questions outside of him are still relatively uncertain.

Gibson, while exciting and versatile, was the 107th ranked prospect in this class according to Daniel Jeremiah. Antonio Gandy-Golden earned a much higher grade from Jeremiah (79th overall) compared to his actual selection, 142nd overall, but the relative uncertainty of his collegiate competition makes his athletic testing potentially concerning.

Gandy-Golden’s physical measurable stand out, but his poor athletic testing in the 40-yard dash (4.6 seconds, 17th percentile), three-cone drill (7.33 seconds, fourth percentile), and 20-yard shuttle (4.55 second, second percentile) may have dropped in him down certain draft boards.

Outside of its draft day selections, Washington didn’t bring in any notable free agent wide receivers or running backs to help McLaurin and Haskins. In addition, the team’s starting tight end is still Jeremy Sprinkle, who had 23 receptions for 261 yards and one lone touchdown for the team in 16 games last season.

As for the offensive line, while the Williams drama is finally over, questions of protecting Haskins will likely continue through the offseason. Charles was the first of two offensive line additions in the draft, but without a second-round selection, both arrived on Day 3.

The upside Charles brings is notable, ranking 63rd overall on Jeremiah’s pre-draft big board, so the risk for Washington may be more than worth it.

However, upside and character concerns aside, Charles may be forced to immediately start on an offensive line that ranked second-to-last in the league last season when it came to protecting the quarterback, according to Football Outsiders.

Even if the Charles selection is a success, is it enough to notably improve the entire offense line for the Redskins?

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