Will Washington draft a quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and played in a spread system in college?
Wait, is this 2012 or 2015?
In our Fan Mock Draft, quarterback Marcus Mariota is still available on the board after wide receiver Amari Cooper went to the Raiders with the fourth-overall pick. Three years ago, Washington pulled off a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams parting with three first-round picks and a second-round pick to acquire the No. 2 overall pick that was used on Robert Griffin III.
Griffin had an outstanding rookie season, one in which he beat out Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading Washington to a division title. However, Griffin ended that rookie season with a knee injury in the playoff loss to Seattle. Since then, Griffin has struggled. He missed six games this past season with a dislocated ankle. He returned for the second half of the season and completed 68.7 percent of his pass attempts for 1,694 yards with four touchdowns against six interceptions.
More importantly, Washington has won just seven games over the past two seasons and the regime that drafted Griffin is no longer in place. Jay Gruden was hired as the head coach last offseason and Scot McCloughan is now in place as the general manager. They could wipe the slate clean and start with a new quarterback.
Of course, they could believe that Griffin can still be "the guy" and try to get him back to his rookie year status, although the offense was tailored that year to be similar to what he ran at Baylor. If they think they can salvage Griffin, they could provide some extra protection in the form of offensive lineman Brandon Scherff or another weapon in wide receiver Kevin White, although Washington boasts a good 1-2 punch in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.
Washington could build up a defense that ranked 29th in points allowed. Up front, Arik Armstead has drawn comparisons to Calais Campbell in terms of stature. Armstead is 6-7, 292 pounds and has played in a 3-4 system at Oregon.
In a draft full of edge rushers, only one has been selected. It would fill a need after the departure of Brian Orakpo this offseason. Washington still has Ryan Kerrigan and last year's second-round pick Trent Murphy, although Murphy is more suited as a run defender.
Not that Eagles fans want to help out a division rival, but the pick is yours - what direction will Washington go with a selection that could shake up the 2015 NFL Draft. !
- 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston
- 2. Tennessee Titans: DL Leonard Williams
- 3. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Dante Fowler, Jr.
- 4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper
