The Washington Redskins shouldn't get cocky after a 9-7 NFC East winning year that sprouted more from luck than anything else. With a healthy Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys are once again favorites to claim the division. To put up a fight, the Redskins are going to have to get better, especially on defense. Washington has needs at every level on that side of the ball. Lucky for them, this week's NFL Combine will give them an up close look at the best defensive prospects in this year's draft class.
Here are three specific players the Skins should keep their eyes on.
Jarran Reed (DL), Alabama
Washington may be losing three of its top six defensive linemen to free agency (Terrance Knighton, Kedric Golston) and potential retirement (Jason Hatcher). They need to get younger up front and the 23-year-old Reed would be a great addition. Reed plays like 2015 Chicago Bears second-rounder Eddie Goldman in that he can man both the nose tackle and end positions. Though the Alabama product isn't much of a pass-rusher (just two career sacks and 16 QB pressures in two seasons), he does occupy blockers and clog running lanes with the best of them. The main red flag when it comes to Reed, though, is his 2014 arrest for DUI.
Mackensie Alexander (CB), Clemson
Alexander may be a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 195 founds, but he's a tough cover who brings a lot of swagger to the field. General manager Scot McCloughan likes that type of attitude. In 2015, Alexander limited opposing quarterbacks to a 29.6 percent completion rate while not surrendering a single touchdown. He's got great quickness for the position and reminds some scouts of Desmond Trufant. He hasn't shown off any ball hawking skills (zero interceptions in two seasons at Clemson) and his size gives him little room for error. But Alexander is a heck of a player who would help at a position of need for Washington.
A'Shawn Robinson (DL), Alabama
Robinson is a powerful lineman with the size and strength to shed blockers and finish tackles. Running backs do not get away from him once he gets his hands on them. Though he was known for his run defense in college, he has the potential to develop into a decent pass-rusher from the end position thanks to his strong first moves. Scheme wise, he may not be a perfect fit in Washington's one-gap system after three years in Alabama's two-gap style. But 22 tackles for a loss and nine sacks in his career as a raw talent is enough to generate interest.
