The Redskins have had a couple of successful draft classes in the past few years, but where do they rank among the best of the decade?
The last decade of drafts for the Washington Redskins has been a bit of a mixed bag. There were several years near the beginning of the decade where some blue-chip players were taken early on, starting their legendary careers in Washington — I’m talking Trent Williams and Ryan Kerrigan. However, in those same years, there wasn’t much depth beyond the top pick. In other years, there were few ground-breaking picks, but very few misses as well. Then of course, in a couple of years, one in particular, there were a number of misses that will haunt Washington fans for years. Take a wild guess which player headlined that draft class.
Ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, an event that will kick off the new decade in a virtual, anything-but-normal Draft Day, we decided to rank the past 10 years of Redskins drafts and see what he can learn from it going forward. Enjoy.
No. 10 — 2016 Draft Class
Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Best Picks: Kendall Fuller (84), Matt Ioannidis (152)
Worst Picks: Josh Doctson (22), Su’a Cravens (53)
Analysis: Picking WR Josh Doctson in the first round is something that will haunt the Redskins for years to come. A reach at the time, Doctson was never able to even come close to reaching his potential in the NFL, and after a handful of disappointing seasons, he left Washington and is still struggling to find a role elsewhere in the league. Cravens, on the other hand, represents a lot of the drama that has followed the Redskins over the past few years. A surprise retirement announcement a week before the 2017 season began a contentious dance between both parties that eventually saw Cravens on a new team, trashing the Redskins ownership on Twitter.
Washington was able to find steals in both Fuller and Ioannidis, though Fuller was traded away after a couple of seasons. Ioannidis has been a strong part of the defensive line, and now, after Fuller returned in free agency, the remaining pieces of this draft class have a bright future in Washington.
“With all of these factors in play, the Vikings should make a move for Williams if a reasonable opportunity presents itself.” WCCO thinks the Vikings should trade for Trent Williams.
The Vikings trading for Redskins tackle Trent Williams is hard to work out.
However, with the limited cap space the team has, and the assets it might have to give up in a trade for the Redskins tackle, an actual trade coming to fruition seems unlikely.
“So what would it take to make Williams a Viking? In short, quality players and/or high draft picks. The Vikings have the 22nd (from the Buffalo Bills) and 25th first-round picks. One of those could appeal to a Redskins team with many holes to fill (including, presumably, left tackle) and likely to take defensive end Chase Young with its number-two pick. In terms of players, it would probably take someone the caliber of Anthony Harris, who the team seems interested in trading, or lesser players combined with draft picks. Reiff could be an option, since Washington will need someone to protect second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins.”
To me, giving up Harris for Williams in a deal isn’t worth it, so hopefully that doesn’t happen. WCCO also said that considering “all of these factors in play, the Vikings should make a move for Williams if a reasonable opportunity presents itself.”
The Redskins have a major hole to fill at the LT position, and they might look to fill it by adding an OT prospect in the draft.
The Washington Redskins did a lot in free agency to address their roster needs, but there are still some holes remaining in the depth chart. One of the glaring areas of need is at the left tackle position, where there are several make-shift options, but nothing that gets fans excited. Trent Williams is expected to leave soon, and we don’t yet know who will replace him.
Though there are still answers that remain in free agency, it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see Washington look to the draft for a young player who can help them down the road. With their first-round pick all but made, plus the lack of a second-round pick, it will be tough for the Redskins to select a player who is worthy of starting at the LT position right away. That doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t find a player who will remove this problem from their docket down the road.
A prospect who’s been very busy is LSU LT Saahdiq Charles. He’s had formal interviews with the Dolphins, Vikings, Chiefs, Redskins, and Packers, among many others. Many teams are doing their homework on him.
LSU’s Saahdiq Charles is a player that fits that bill, and the Redskins have reportedly interviewed him already ahead of the draft, according to Draft Network’s Jordan Reid. With their third-round pick, No. 66, many expect Charles to still be on the board, and the Redskins might go ahead and take him.
Charles is a 6-foot-4, 320-pounder who started nine games at left tackle for the Tigers in their recent run to the college football title. He started 10 times as a sophomore and racked up nine more as a freshman, with most coming on the left edge in addition to a few at right tackle and one at right guard.
If the Redskins were to draft Charles, it might cost them a chance at a high-end TE like Adam Trautman, Albert Okwuegbunam, or Hunter Bryant, but it would give them a chance to shore up their offensive line in the future. Outside of the left tackle position, Washington should feel pretty confident with what they have at the front five, with Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses secured for the near future. If they can find a fix for the left side, the rest of the offense can continue to build going forward, and success will start to come.
It seems incredibly unlikely that Trent Williams finds his way back to Washington as of late, but some people in the organization can wish.
After all of the accusations made by Trent Williams agent, claiming that the Washington Redskins have not been acting in good faith while trying to trade their veteran left tackle, It’s safe to say that a return for the seven-time Pro-Bowler is as unlikely as it ever has been.
Still, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t people in the Redskins organization who want to see him leave. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, many in fact, still are wishing for his return in 2020, hoping that he will help improve the offense and give second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins a reliable player on the left side of the line.
There r ppl in that org who still love Trent & would appreciate him being back on the team helping to block for a young QB in Dwayne Haskins. Those are just some sentiments though & he’d still nd a pay raise. Up through now all sides including the market have not capitulated yet. https://t.co/oW81SMAOxO
As we mentioned early, this is incredibly unlikely to happen, as the Redskins have held firm in their desire to receive as high as a second-round pick for their blue-chip veteran. It’s hard to blame the people who feel this way, though, as Williams would single-handedly improve one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses on the front line, and could be just what they need to get this offense into stride.
It’s not impossible, but if the Vikings want to make a move for Redskins tackle Trent Williams, a lot has to happen.
Williams’ addition would be huge for Minnesota. The question is, can the team afford him?
Per Spotrac Williams’ calculated market value is $15.2 million per year. That’s a steep price, and it’s one the Vikings couldn’t afford at the moment. However, the team could cut Riley Reiff and save $8.8 million, per Over The Cap. That decision makes $4.4 million in dead money for the team, though.
Also a problem, if the Vikings cut Reiff, like they did with Kline, and they can’t re-sign Reiff or Kline, then the offensive line is about to look a lot different. Maybe that’s a good thing, if a player like guard Dru Samia can step up into a starting role, but if none of Minnesota’s reserve offensive linemen are good enough to play every down, then the team could actually take a step back on the offensive line, despite having Williams.
However, if the Vikings cleared $8.8 million with the Reiff decision, and the team went out and signed Williams, that changes the outlook of the offensive line completely. But you also have to consider that with the team’s salary cap right now.
Even if it cut Reiff, Minnesota would have about $22 million in space. So if a lot of that went to Williams, it becomes difficult to sign other players in free agency, and the rookies who are drafted.
But maybe Williams doesn’t need $15.2 million a year. Or maybe the Redskins try and trade him and all the Vikings have to do is give up a decent draft pick or two. That makes it easier for the team to take on Williams, and have the offensive line be better because of it.
Tackle Trent Williams is reportedly looking for a different team. Here’s how he could fit in with the Minnesota Vikings.
Tackle Trent Williams’ agent has demanded that the Redskins either trade or release his client, ESPN reported.
If that’s an indication that Williams is on the market, it makes a lot of sense for the Vikings to try and land him.
Williams is a seven-time Pro Bowler who could come in and start on the Vikings offensive line and make an immediate impact.
I think Williams would come in and start at left tackle, but that doesn’t mean Riley Reiff is out of a starting job.
Reiff could move to right guard, replacing Josh Kline, who had his contract terminated by the team. It’s tough to lose Kline, but here are some paths the Vikings can go down.
Per Pro Football Focus, Williams was the highest-rated Redskins player on offense three consecutive seasons from 2016-18, and in 2019 he didn’t play.
According to ESPN, Williams held out in 2019-20 after he said there was inadequate medical treatment involving a cancerous growth on his scalp. Later in the season, the Redskins failed him for his physical, per ESPN.
Washington eventually placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list after Williams was unable to play, due to helmet discomfort associated with the removed growth, NFL.com reported.
After years of consistency, Williams had a whirlwind 2019-20 under a team he seems to no longer trust. Williams has shown in the past that he’s good in pass protection, and that was something the Vikings offensive line struggled with in 2019-20, especially when the position group gave up a lot of pressure against Green Bay in Week 16 and the 49ers in the team’s playoff loss.
Trent wants to be traded by the Redskins, but he has no desire to ruin the relationship with Washington on his way out.
Despite having a strong desire to be traded away from the Washington Redskins, left tackle Trent Williams doesn’t necessarily want to completely forget about the time spent there in his career. Those nine years were highly valuable, and they helped make Williams one of the greatest Redskins of all time, seeing him go to seven consecutive Pro Bowls.
But now, things have changed, and Trent wants to be on a new team that will pay him top dollar and gives him a chance to succeed now. That’s not the Redskins.
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, that doesn’t mean that Williams is willing to destroy his relationship with the team on his way out of Washington, though. He still wishes to be on good standing with Dan Snyder and the ownership, hoping to have his name added to the Ring of Honor one day.
Trent has always respected, liked owner Dan Snyder- there have never been issues. As a former captain, the 7x pro bowler really wants to be able to move on from Washington but still return one day and possibly be part of the ring of honor. He wants the relationship to be healthy
In a long thread on Twitter, Russini confirmed a lot of the rumblings that had come up recently, regarding Trent and his camp. She reported that after being allowed to seek a trade, Williams brought a deal to the Redskins from another team, though they turned it down. In a matter of ‘he said, she said,’ Washington believes that they have been flexible in negotiating a deal, but Williams is under the impression that the Redskins have been inconsistent with their asking price.
While Washington won’t just give Williams away, the pressure is on Trent to find a suitable place to go, where a team is willing to both pay him and give the Redskins fair compensation. We’ve seen Ron Rivera and the rest of the team practice patience so far, and I don’t see it ending any time soon.
Trent Williams and the Redskins are still yet to agree on a trade that would ship the LT out of Washington, but these teams might be suitors.
In an ever-changing NFL landscape, things happen quickly, and they happen in abundance. Just over the past week, Tom Brady found a new team in Tampa Bay, the New York Jets added to their offense, and the Miami Dolphins focused heavily on their defense, hoping to round out their team.
During that time, Trent Williams’ agent sent a public note to the Washington Redskins, asking for him to be traded and accusing the team of not operating in good faith when it comes to the left tackle. That accusation is a bit up for debate, but it’s been stated nonetheless.
Despite all of these things happening, nothing has really changed at all for the Redskins, Williams, and any prospective team that might trade for him. Washington still is unlikely to lower their asking price on Williams, and the seven-time Pro-Bowler is highly unlikely to lower his contract demands for whatever team acquires him. Because of this, the number of teams lining up to trade for the 32-year-old is relatively short. Until one of those sides blinks in this staring contest, nothing is likely to change any time soon.
With all of that said there are five real teams that could have interest in trading for Trent, should one of those prices drop. Here’s our best guess on who would be hitting the Redskins line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
If you’re going to line up the oldest QB in the NFL behind center, you’re going to need a guaranteed left tackle who can help keep him clean. At the moment, the Bucs don’t have that. A trade for Trent would be the best thing that Tampa Bay could do for their new QB.
Unfortunately, the Bucs have Donovan Smith at the LT position right now, who isn’t as good as Trent, but better than many other options. Williams would be the best player that the Bucs could grab at the position, but it seems unlikely that they will.
New York Jets
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Jets are losing LT Kelvin Beachum in free agency this season, which left a hole at the position until they signed former Seattle Seahawk George Fant, making it less likely that they bring in Trent. Fant could be moved to the RT position, should the team desire to build a super-line for QB Sam Darnold, seeing as the team has enough cap space to sign Williams to the extension he desires.
Cleveland Browns
(Photo by: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Browns might be the most likely team to trade for Trent, but it would absolutely have to be at a lower asking price in order to happen. Cleveland already made a big-time signing this season by bringing in RT Jack Conklin, but Williams would solidify the left side of the line for QB Baker Mayfield as well. Former Washington offensive line coach Bill Callahan is now in Cleveland too, which could be appealing for Williams. The Browns also have a nice stock of draft picks for this season as well.
Denver Broncos
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Garett Bolles has been a contentious name for any Denver Broncos fan over the past couple of years. After being drafted in the first round of the 2017 draft, Bolles has really struggled to find his footing in the league, and he’s been one of the most penalized players in that time, drawing 32 flags in three years.
John Elway and the Broncos may choose to ride this out for one more year with Bolles, but it would come as absolutely no shock to see them move away from the 27-year-old and trade for a sure-thing. We saw the struggle with Dwayne Haskins last year; there’s nothing you can do more to help a young quarterback than giving him a solid blocker on his blindside. For Drew Lock, this would be a major helper. Denver has also already been highly active when it comes to roster moves this offseason, following a trade for cornerback AJ Bouye, and the signing of RB Melvin Gordon. That movement could keep rolling with a deal for Williams.
Miami Dolphins
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Dolphins have been major players in free agency this season, mostly on the defensive side of the ball, signing CB Byron Jones and LB Kyle Van Noy. They also addressed the offensive line a bit by adding former Redskin Ereck Flowers at the LG position. Still, though, they have Julie’n Davenport slotted in as their LT at the moment, which doesn’t quite fit. Judging by a lot of their moves, Miami thinks that they could be in a position to win in the near future, and Trent Williams would help them do that.
The Browns are reportedly interested in trading for Trent Williams, but they are unwilling to pay the high price for him right now.
Trent Williams still has suitors in the NFL, just not ones that are willing to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, especially when it costs them a high-round draft pick just to get him.
The Cleveland Browns are one such team that has an interest in trading for the seven-time Pro-Bowler, but they have been unwilling to do so because the cost is too high at the moment. The Redskins are reportedly asking for a second- or third-rounder just to acquire him, and whoever trades for him will then have to give the 32-year-old a contract extension, where he reportedly is asking for $18-20 million per season.
Something’s got to give — both of those things aren’t going to happen.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, with Cleveland.com, the Browns are still interested in trading for Williams, but they won’t do anything until the asking price drops, be it by the team or the player.
The Browns explored trading for Williams after the Redskins gave him permission to seek a deal two weeks ago. He is still a possibility if the Redskins lower their asking price and/or if Williams is willing to accept less in an extension. If the Browns surrender a higher pick, they’d likely want a longer-term deal, which would effectively take them out of the strong left tackle market in the draft.
A trade for Williams makes a lot of sense for the Browns, as former Redskins offensive line coach Bill Callahan is now in Cleveland. The team also is ripe with offensive and defensive weapons, but the offensive line has been a massive hole, and QB Baker Mayfield has struggled because of it.
However, nothing is likely to happen until either Williams or the Redskins gives in. Washington has the edge in negotiations due to patience and the lack of a career clock, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will end up winning this staring contest. We know that Trent has suitors in the league, but they just aren’t willing to pay his price as of yet.
Trent Williams wants the Redskins to lower their asking price for a trade, but the Redskins aren’t inclined to do so, but who blinks first?
Who do you think is going to blink first?
It’s obvious that both the Washington Redskins and veteran left tackle Trent Williams have been in a staring contest for the past year or so, seeing who would break and give in to the other’s whims. The latest installment of this game came on Tuesday morning with Vincent Taylor, Trent’s agent, posted to Twitter, calling for the Redskins to trade or release Williams.
He also claimed that the team has been unwilling to accept a trade and that they have not been acting in good faith, having inconsistent demands on what they would take in return.
If you were to read between the lines of Taylor’s post, it seems that Williams and his representatives have brought a few trades to the feet of the Redskins, but Ron Rivera and the rest of the group said no, likely due to the lack of compensation. Washington has long been rumored to desire as high of a pick as they can get for their blue-chip player, which is likely to be a second- or third-rounder. The problem, though, is that any team who trades that high of a pick for Williams will then have to turn around and pay him an extension, where he is demanding between $18-20 million per season. If a team is going to pay him that, they might also be unwilling to give up so much for him in the first place.
So basically, Trent wants the Redskins to lower their asking price, and accept a mid-level draft pick in return. Washington in return likely wants Williams to lower his own price, so that they can keep their value high. It’s unlikely that Trent will A) be traded for a high-round pick, and B) sign an extension that sees him become the highest-paid tackle in the league. Something’s got to give, so now it’s a matter of who gives in.
The Redskins have the upper hand, as they’ve shown that they’re willing to be patient when it comes to Williams, allowing him to hold out for most of the 2019 season. Williams is also getting older, and another season lost would be detrimental to his career. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement also is harsh to players who hold out as well.
So, will the Redskins show some kindness to this letter from Taylor and give Trent what he wants? It’s possible, but not probable. Will Trent lower his asking price in order to make a deal more likely? Seems like a last-case resort, but we might be getting to the last case. Williams has been quiet about this situation for a long time, and now we hear his side speaking up. It’s likely because they see it going down a bad path for the veteran LT, and they need to speak up before it gets out of control.
