The Washington Redskins started the 2018 NFL Draft on the right foot by selecting Da’Ron Payne, a physical defensive tackle from Alabama. After seeing film on Payne, he has shown he can be an every down defensive tackle for the Skins who will is going to be a force to be reckoned with when opposing guards line up with him in the trenches.
Payne “perfect fit.”
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden said getting Da’Ron Payne was important with NFC East’s running backs. Notes that he’s a “perfect fit.”
— Stephen Czarda (@SCzardaRedskins) April 27, 2018
Jay Gruden on #Redskins‘ No. 13 pick: “Da’Ron paired with Jonathan Allen… and the rest of the guys was a perfect fit.”
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) April 27, 2018
If you thought the Skins were done making moves just with the selection of Payne, you were wrong. In the second round they got what people are calling the steal of the draft by selecting LSU running back Derrius Guice.
Guice was rumored to have an altercation with the Eagles on his visit where one report stated “it was the worst visit ever”. Another report stated that TMZ had a “bombshell” story ready to be published whenever Guice was chosen. That report was quickly debunked by a TMZ writer.
This has been a rumor TMZ had something on Guice, but has been debunked by TMZ. https://t.co/J2rUvShrnt
— Robert Littal (@BSO) April 28, 2018
NO, TMZ IS NOT HOLDING SOME CRAZY BOMBSHELL STORY ON DERRIUS GUICE.
— evan rosenblum (@EvanTMZ) April 27, 2018
Maybe those reports were a blessings in disguise for the Redskins as they walked away with Guice at 59th overall. Reports lingered that the Skins wanted a running back, but were not going to take one at 13. So, with Guice falling and falling, at 59 they made the move and drafted a stud and possibly a future pro bowler.
After the first two selections were made and with the Redskins fans rejoicing came the third round where everyone knew the Skins would take an offensive lineman, however most thought they would take Virginia Tech’s Wyatt Teller. Instead the Redskins drafted Louisville’s Geron Christian.
Washington would get back on track and stay on track from the fourth round all the way through the seventh round. They took speedy safety Troy Apke from Penn State who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash.
According to and ex-NFL coach, Apke is the best player they have ever had at the NFLPA writes Sean Keeler from Land of 10.
Don’t Settle For Less
The fifth round would see the Redskins solidify their needs at defensive tackle with taking 6’3″ 329 pound Tim Settle. Don’t let that weight fool you either. Settle may be a big man, but he very, very agile.
He is quick on his feet, it will likely take two guys to stop him and that means it will free up the linebackers off of a blitz or help the other defensive lineman get in the backfield to make game changing plays.
*NO MORE HANKINS QUESTIONS*
RollSkins
In the sixth round, the Redskins would yet again take another Bama player. This time it was inside linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton. He is the fourth former Alabama player to be selected by Washington in the last two drafts.
Hamilton is one of those players who comes in with a low risk/high reward type of draft picks. His two last seasons at Bama were cut short with knee injuries, which should remind Redskins fans of another guy named Junior Galette.
Before you comment, yes a knee injury and an Achilles are two seperate things and two separate injuries and both take different routes to heal. The comparison though being made between Hamilton and Galette is when both are healthy, both can produce on the field and make plays to change the game.
Stroman Can Make the Roster
In the final round on the 2018 NFL Draft the Redskins selected another Hokie, this time is was defensive back Greg Stroman who will once again be teammates with Tim Settle.
The two played football together dating back to when they were in high school through college and now will have the chance to wear the Burgundy and Gold together.
Stroman is likely to compete on special teams to return punts as that was his speciality at Virginia Tech. Don’t get me wrong, Stroman is a solid defensive back but that spot is already filled by Josh Norman, Josh Holsey, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau and Orlando Scandrick.
Stroman stats: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/stroman_greg.html
Mr. Irrelevant
With their second pick in the 7th round and the last pick in the NFL Draft the Redskins snagged up SMU wide receiver Trey Quinn (256th overall). He may be irrelevant as of now, but mark this down, Trey Quinn will be on the opening day roster for the Redskins and he will be relevant.
Relevant #Skins
— Trey Quinn (@treyquinn8) April 28, 2018
Quinn finished last season with 1,236 yards & 13 touchdowns. So, even when he is covered, remember he is still open and will make plays. When he breaks camp with the team, he may not be given a starting role right away but look for him to be an end zone target for Alex Smith.
14 Undrafted Free Agent Signings
Here is the complete list (without college teams) of players the Redskins signed after the draft.
- S Quin Blanding
- RB Martez Carter
- WR Simmie Cobbs Jr.
- LB Jerod Fernandez
- WR Shay Fields
- TE Matt Flanagan
- WR Mikah Holder
- CB Danny Johnson
- T Timon Parris
- WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- WR Cam Sims
- CB Ranthony Texada
- FB Elijah Wellman
- C Sean Welsh
These guys likely won’t make the roster, but they can be a valuable camp body and provide depth on the practice squad as well.
