The Washington Redskins used the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff. This came as a surprise to some as many draft analysts project Scherff as a guard at the next level and a top five pick for that position is a bit of a reach. However, Washington's offensive line was in need of upgrades, and Scherff does make them a better unit right now.
Another area the Redskins desperately need to upgrade in is the pass-rush. Washington notched just 36.0 total sacks last season, ranking 21st in the NFL. The departure of outside linebacker Brian Orakpo further highlights this position as an area of need as the Redskins enter the second-round of the daft. Fortunately, ESPN analysts Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl project the Skins to select Nebraska outside linebacker Randy Gregory with the No. 38 overall pick.
"Gregory's fall ends here, as the Redskins find their replacement at outside linebacker for Brian Orakpo, who signed with Tennessee in free agency. Gregory's off-field concerns are significant, but he's worth the risk here."
The off-field concerns they speak of are Gregory's repeated marijuana related incidents. The young pass-rusher failed a drug test at the NFL scouting combine held in February, and another failed drug test would lead to an automatic suspension. As we've seen with players such as Justin Blackmon and Josh Gordon, problems such as this can carry over for years.
Gregory was initially projected as a first-round pick, possibly even going in the top 15. However, his maturity and questionable decision-making have caused him to fall. While Gregory is a bit of a risk, his talent may be too much to pass up on at this point in the draft.
Gregory recorded 50 tackles, seven sacks and one interception last year. In his two years at Nebraska, he totaled 17.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss. Getting him in the second-round would be the type of good value move that new general manager Scot McCloughan is looking for.
