The Washington Redskins managed just 36.0 sacks last season, finishing 21st in the league. Even though he wasn't particularly effective or healthy in 2014, the loss of outside linebacker Brian Orakpo is something the Redskins need to address in this year's NFL draft. Sure, the team likes last year's second-round pick Trent Murphy. But Murphy's ceiling is pretty low and this year's crop of prospects is teeming with talented pass-rushers. That's why Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. is being considered with the fifth overall pick next month.
"The Redskins need a pass-rusher, with Brian Orakpo gone to the Titans, and they have several options to choose from here including Randy Gregory, Shane Ray and Vic Beasley," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "But new GM Scot McCloughan has always put emphasis on edge players with a little bit more size, and Fowler fits the bill as a more complete player (albeit slightly less explosive) than those other three guys, with a more filled-out frame and who can set the edge better against the run. He also has the athleticism to play 3-4 outside linebacker (ran an impressive 4.61 40-yard dash at the combine."
Fowler certainly fits the criteria of a bigger edge player. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 261 pounds. One of the primary knocks against guys like Ray and Gregory was their slight frames and lack of power for the position. Fowler doesn't have that problem even if he may not be quite the athlete that those guys are.
Fowler recorded 60 total tackles with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss last season. He was named second-team All-SEC in 2013. He could be a natural complement to linebacker Ryan Kerrigan on this Washington defense.
