Former NFL general manager Mike Lombardi had Washington fans — and draft fans — buzzing earlier this week when he said the team loved Lance and “could unload all their picks” to move up and get him.
Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated says not so fast.
In his latest mailbag, which focused on the 2021 NFL draft, a fan asked Breer if he could see Washington trading up in the draft.
“Sammy, right now, I’d say a move into the top 10 is unlikely,” Breer responded to the question.
According to Breer, Washington likes its roster and would like to continue adding pieces to it, rather than giving up multiple assets to move up for a player who likely wouldn’t even contribute in 2021.
So as I see it, Washington has a shot here to continue building up an already promising group with its draft capital, around a suitable-for-now answer at quarterback, in Ryan Fitzpatrick. If they keep building from here, that’ll only make the situation better for whomever winds up being the long-term answer down the line.
Breer compared the situation to Kansas City. Andy Reid won games with Alex Smith in the first several years of his tenure. Then, once the roster was ready, the Chiefs made the big move up for Patrick Mahomes.
Could Washington follow a similar path?
Head coach Ron Rivera said recently he likes the idea of getting the roster in a good place and then being aggressive in finding the quarterback of the future.
Breer’s assertion seems to mirror Rivera’s thinking.
With just under three weeks remaining until the first night of the 2021 NFL draft, expect to hear more rumors of Washington’s interest — or non-interest — in moving up the draft board for a quarterback.