The Washington Redskins are likely to add secondary help during the NFL draft later this month, following the offseason departures of Kendall Fuller, Bashaud Breeland and Su’a Cravens. The team, however, has multiple needs that could be addressed in the first two rounds, including defensive line and running back.
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Florida State safety Derwin James and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick could both be in play with the Redskins’ No. 13 pick, although both players could easily be taken before then. The Redskins don’t have a third-round pick, which was packaged with Fuller in the trade for quarterback Alex Smith. They hold one fourth rounder (No. 109 overall), two fifth-round picks (Nos. 142 and 163) one sixth-round selection (No. 188) and two seventh rounders (231 and 241).
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. pointed to West Virginia’s Kyzir White, Penn State’s Marcus Allen and Northwestern’s Godwin Igwebuike as three strong late-round safeties with potential.
“Depending upon whether you view them as cornerbacks or safeties,” Kiper said. “Kyzir White, West Virginia, he could go third or fourth round. Marcus Allen, Penn State, could go fourth or fifth round. Godwin Igwebuike from Northwestern could go four to six, in that area.
“There’s going to be some guys that drop down a little bit at that spot that have a lot of ability. Igwebuike tested off the charts at the combine.”
[ With Compton departure, linebacker could be in play for Redskins in Round 1 ]
White (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) is the brother of wide receiver Kevin White, who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 draft. He was second on the team with 94 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and tied for a team-high with three interceptions. White was named to the All-Big 12 second team.
Allen was second on the Nittany Lions with 72 tackles in 2017, including 4.0 for loss, and also had a sack and an interception. His two forced fumbles tied for a team high. Allen was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and his 321 career tackles rank No. 5 in Penn State history.
Igwebuike (6-0, 205) flirted with entering the 2017 draft, but decided to return for his senior season. He was a second team All-Big Ten selection and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the combine, the fifth-fastest time among safeties. Igwebuike ranked third for the Wildcats with 78 tackles and added two interceptions. His nine pass breakups tied for a team-high. Igwebuike also sings lead vocals in a band.
The Redskins’ pass defense ranked No. 9 in the league in 2017, allowing 213.8 yards per game. The unit, however, lost two starters in Fuller and Breeland. D.J. Swearinger and Deshazor Everett are back at safety, but depth needs to be added.
This scenario would be the second consecutive year the Redskins addressed the back end during the draft. They selected UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau in the third round, safety Montae Nicholson out of Michigan State in the fourth round and cornerback Joshua Holsey out of Auburn in the seventh round in 2017.
Moreau registered at least one tackle in eight games last season. Nicholson played in eight games and had 24 tackles and an interception as a rookie. Holsey added two tackles in 12 games.
Read more:
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