The 2021 NFL draft is just two weeks away, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. just released his fourth mock draft.
Unlike in past years, Kiper has included trades in his mock drafts in 2021. After all, San Francisco has already moved up to the No. 3 position to secure a quarterback.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper has more quarterback movement in his top 10. Five quarterbacks land in Kiper’s top 10, with Ohio State’s Justin Fields going No. 10 overall to the New England Patriots.
With all the top passers gone, where does that leave the Washington Football Team?
Kiper has Washington staying at No. 19 and getting its linebacker in Notre Dame linebacker/safety Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Washington could go a few different ways here, including offensive line or wide receiver. I like the fit of Owusu-Koramoah, though, as a three-down off-ball linebacker with cover skills. He’s extremely versatile — he lined up as a slot corner for the Fighting Irish at times last season — and fast. He must improve as a tackler, but he should slot in as an instant-impact player for a defense that is already one of the league’s best.
This is becoming a popular pick for WFT. And rightfully so. Owusu-Koramoah goes to a team that needs a coverage linebacker — and a free safety. No, Owusu-Koramoah is not a true free safety, but he can play everywhere. Washington has smart defensive coaches in head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, and they will know where to employ him best.
While Washington didn’t land a quarterback in round one, Kiper has it landing one in round two. Just not the one you think.
In a surprise, Kiper sees Washington landing Davis Mills of Stanford.
Here is his assessment:
Mills is an interesting case, as he played in only 14 games at Stanford, which would be the fewest by a drafted quarterback in the last 15 years. And yet, at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he has some arm-talent traits and looked like a first-round pick at times. He also looked like a Day 3 pick at other times. He threw for 428 yards with three touchdowns and three picks in his final college game. If I were running a team, I’d feel much better taking him on Day 2 than I would on Day 1, and this is a Washington team that could bring him along slowly. He’s the type of quarterback talent teams bet on, though.
It would surprise no one if Mills lands in the second round. The talent is obvious. However, so are the concerns. While he may not possess the physical tools of Mills, Florida’s Kyle Trask seems like a better bet in round two.
In this mock draft, Washington doesn’t find a left tackle of the future. Perhaps it can find one in the third round. After all, the team does have two third-round picks.