That concludes the 2020 NFL draft and one thing is apparent about the post-Bruce regime: the Redskins are done getting football players that cannot stay on the field. Outside of their last pick, all of their draft picks have little to no injury history at college. Further, the later round picks are all captains and 3 year+ starters. Bill Parcells once said “you are what your record says you are” and the 3-13 Redskins took that to heart as they drafted the best player available over need more often then not. Yet, the Redskins roster is so lackluster and full of holes that even the best player available was usually a need. Here are my grades on all 8 selections.

RD 1 #2: Chase Young, DE, OSU:

The Redskins did what most thought they would and took the consensus best player in the draft by selecting DE Chase Young, OSU, with the #2 overall pick. There were plenty of rumors that the Redskins were listening to trade offer to move back in the draft. However that all fizzled out quick on draft night.

Chase Young has an unbelievable amount of hype surrounding him. For starters, he is already Vegas’s odds on favorite to win Rookie of the Year and has an over/under sack total set at 8.5 (for reference, phenom DE Nick Bosa recorded 9 sacks last year for the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers). Further, a report came out this week that Chase believes he is still growing citing the fact his growth plates are still open and his dad is 6’9″ (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29105321/washington-draftee-chase-young-6-foot-5-thinks-grow-more).

Regardless if that is true or not, Young joins a defensive line consisting of five other 1st round selections that is poised to turn this 27th ranked defense around.

Grade: A

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6dEE1hv-A

RD 3 #66: Antonio Gibson, RB/ WR, Memphis:

We had to wait a while before the Redskins had another pick after Chase Young was selected. Many were hoping the Redskins would move back into the 2nd round to select one of these highly touted receivers either by trading Trent Williams or packaging him and some picks. However, they stood pat (mainly because Trent refused a trade to Minnesota) and selected a RB/ WR hybrid with Antonio Gibson out of Memphis. I’ll be honest, I did not know this player existed until the Redskins drafted him which made me initially consider this one a reach. However, it was soon clear that Kyle Smith, VP of Player Personnel (should be our GM soon), and coach Rivera loved this kid.

Gibson led all FBS with 11.7 yard per touch with an astonishing 14 TDs on 77 touches. Frankly his highlights were just as impressive as his stats. He lined up all over the field for the Memphis Tigers last year and was a threat to take it to the house every time he got the ball. When he ran the ball, he played with great balance and bounced off would-be tacklers like a pinball. At receiver, his athleticism was obvious time and time again when his lackluster route running left him wide open.  On special teams, if he wasn’t paving the way for the other returner to take it the distance, he was using his vision to find the crease and return it to the 40 or beyond.

Gibson shined at the NFL combine by running a 4.39 40 ranking 4th in the WR class (tied for 1st for RBs).  When asked what he would prefer to be listed as on the depth chart, Gibson responded with “weapon”.

Gibson comes in as clear favorite to take over the 3rd down RB position that Chris Thompson held for years. Ron Rivera even went as far to compare the kid to Christian McCaffrey who he coached just a year ago. However, I worry that he was a one year wonder in college and played in a conference where competition pales in comparison to what he will see at the NFL level. Further, the pick felt more like a reach for need then the “best player available”.  They could have taken Joshua Jones, OT Houston, who had a 1st round grade by some scouts here and possibly still picked up Gibson with their early pick in the 4th. However, the Raiders surprised everyone by taking another RB/WR a few picks later so maybe Smith and Rivera were on to something.

All in all, solid pick with McCaffrey-like upside who will at worst be a specials teams ace.

Grade: B-

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU8dfjXf9QE

RD 4 #108: Saahdiq Charles, LT, LSU:

It was surprising to see LSU LT Saahdiq Charles fall all the way to the 4th round when basically every other player on that dominant 2019 LSU offense was taken before him. However, right when the pick was announced the analysts told you why. Charles was suspended all three years at LSU for “conduct detrimental to the team”. In summary, he failed drug tests year after year.

However, even with these suspensions he came back and proved to be the best option the Tigers had at LT. I’d like think that LSU head coach Ed Orgeron probably wanted to kick him off the team multiple times but couldn’t because of how talented Charles was.

As for the tape, Charles played all the positions on the LSU offensive line and has plenty of athleticism.  For some reason, scouts consider him undersized at 6’4″ 321 lbs with 33″ arm length. However, he didn’t look undersized on film. He was very productive against SEC defenses and was a big part of LSU’s top ranked offense and their championship run.

I read somewhere analysts were calling him this years La’eo Collins (Cowboys starting RT) who had 1st round talent but went undrafted after he was asked to talk to police about the shooting death of a pregnant woman he previously had a relationship with (never considered a suspect). Granted, being suspended for some drug tests pale in comparison to the severity of what Collins was being wrongly accused of but I agree with the comparison.

I can see Charles becoming the much needed replacement for Trent Williams or finding his place as a swing tackle that can replace Mosses when he eventually gets hurt again or be the first man off the bench if he cannot beat out Donald Penn or Geron Christian. Charles could be the steal of the draft just because he failed a couple of drug tests as a teenager.

Grade: A

Charles VS. Alabama 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBykSvGojR0

RD 4 #142: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty:

Antonio Gandy-Golden, or AGG as he was called at Liberty, is a bird of a different feather. He was a gymnast before he was ever a football player and can still do standing backflip and twirling hand springs. He has bowled a perfect game. He can solve a rubix cube in under a minute.  But most importantly, he can catch the football. Here are AGG’s stats at Liberty:

His 244 receptions, 3,814 yards and 33 TDs are all Liberty records. However, AGG’s stock took a hit when he ran a 4.60 40 at the combine, which was 5th worst. However, being 6’4″ and weighing 223lbs, he can make up for that so-called lack of speed with his strength (22 reps at combine bench) to make tough contested catches and power to run after catch. Opposing coordinators knew Liberty was going to throw 50/50 balls to him and would constantly double team him but it never made much of a difference. AGG made spectacular catch after spectacular catch in big games and had a knack of finding the end zone.

As much as I want to love this pick, I worry about AGG being a one trick pony and only being a red-zone threat in the NFL (much like his NFL.com comparison Devante Parker). His highlight tape is impressive but if his route-running doesn’t improve he will not get any separation and QBs will never look his way. I also wonder if he will have the speed and willingness to contribute on special teams. Further, he will need to work on his run and stalk blocking if he’s going to be an every down WR. However, the upside of being a Courtland Sutton or Alshon Jeffery as a compensatory pick at the end of the 4th round is too much to pass up here. It will be interesting to see him compete with Kelvin Harmon to be the Redskins go-to possession receiver.

Grade: B+

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFYfwLr0JoM&t=201s

RD 5 #156: Keith Ismael, C, SDSU:

Trent Williams was traded almost immediately when the day three of the draft began Saturday to the Niners for a 3rd round pick in 2021 and this 5th round pick which turned into C/LG Keith Ismael, SDSU. Ismael was a 3 year starter for the Aztecs finishing his senior year with All-Mountain West honors. Pro Football Focus seemed to like the pick:

Ismael was reliable as it comes for the Aztecs and played guard as well as center when asked. However, he was the first redskins draft pick that had a little bit of an injury history (he received shoulder surgery this off-season). However, there is a big hole at LG following the departure of Ereck Flowers and Chase Roullier, who played well at times down the stretch, has not proven to be a long term starter at center. Hopefully Ismael can pick up where Flowers left off and be good starter for us.

Grade: B+

Full game VS. Wyoming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpLdLf6WY8E

RD 5 #162: Khaleke Hudson, OLB Michigan:

Khaleke Hudson is listed as OLB on the draft card but he played a variation of the monster-man safety for the Wolverines, which they call “Viper”, which is a combination of safety and linebacker. Hudson, like Ismael, was steady as it comes for the Wolverines as well. He played all four years at Michigan, tying the NCAA record in tackles for loss in a single game his Sophomore year with 8 against Minnesota. As a senior captain, he earned 2nd team All-Big 10 honors by leading Michigan with 102 tackles (3.5 TLFs, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, and a blocked kick).

Hudson is a tad undersized to be a true NFL LB. At the combine he measured 5’11” and 224lbs but flashed his speed running a 4.56 40. It’s safe to say that Hudson is the kind of player that leads by example and has the kind of heart you want in a football player. Being his size and leading the Wolverines in tackles as well as being a tapped as a senior captain is nothing to overlook. His knack of blocking punts will be utilized in the NFL and he could certainly be a special teams demon if nothing else. However, his size at the point of attack will be exposed if he’s going to be an every down OLB.

All in all, this pick feels like a reach. Many figured Hudson would be an undrafted free agent and with the Redskins not having another pick until 216, I’m not sure why they didn’t want to address a glaring need like corner or tight end here. However, if Hudson plays with his hair on fire like he did at Michigan and becomes our second coming of Lorenzo Alexander, I’ll happily eat my words. Yet, I will say I was screaming at the TV for them to draft Thaddeus Moss who we were luckily still able to sign after the draft.

Grade: D

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tACMOXsu0ak

RD 7 #216: Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas:

Kamren Curl was the Redskins 7th round pick and was our first defensive back selected in this years draft. He was a three year starter at Arkansas where he started as a cornerback but was moved to safety sophomore year. The safety class this year was noticeably weak (if you consider Simmons not to be a safety) so the Redskins stuck to their board and let Curl fall right to them in the 7th round. Curl has good size for safety 6’1″ 206 lbs, and ran 4.6 40 at the combine.

Curl definitely will make his impact in coverage being a center-field free safety that plays well in zone. He isn’t the best tackler but has that Josh Norman-like punch to make runner fumble when he does go into contact. Curl made some plays throughout the year (especially against LSU) but it was hard to fully evaluate him since the Razorbacks defense was downright putrid. Also, his stock must’ve taken a big hit when Curl was suspended the final game of 2019 because he was caught flirting with the opposing team cheerleaders.

Regardless, he shouldn’t have a hard time making the team since the Redskins have no real starter at safety. He could be a nice developmental project for Rivera and Del Rio. Just keep him away from the cheerleaders.

Grade: B-

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2JmQrJr0X4

RD 7 #229: James Smith-Williams, DE, NC State:

The Redskins finish up their 2020 draft by taking the captain of the NC State Wolfpack DE James Smith-Williams of NC State. Smith-Williams was given the #1 jersey by the coaches at NCST for his work-ethic, character, leadership and accomplishments. JSW had two season ending injuries in college including one last year. His best year was 2018 where he was an All-ACC snub after leading the pack with 9.5 TFLs and 6 sacks. However, in 7 games in 2019 he only registered one sack and 20 tackles before his season ended with a foot injury.

He was a participant at the combine and for all intents and purposes appears to be fully healthy now. JSW measured 6’4″ 265lbs and ran a blistering 4.60 40 (#1 in the whole class of EDGE/ DL), almost the exact same measurements as Chase Young with a 40 time that’s faster then Myles Garrett.

This pick may be more about the kind of person Smith-Williams is and less about his college production. NC State’s coaches rave about his work ethic, leadership and tenacity. When he first came to school, JSW only weighed 196 and transformed himself into the 265 beast he is now. Further, JSW has had an internship at IBM each of the last two summers so he’s no dumby. Even at his age he should be the adult in the locker room and will certainly push himself and everyone around him to get better. However, if he injuries continue to plague him, he will find working for IBM full-time and out of the league quick.

Grade: C+

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNwTh0CJWVQ

2020 Draft Class Overall Grade: B+

Like I mentioned in the intro, the Redskins needed a lot of help and hopefully found it in this draft. Outside of a few reaches, the Redskins were able to find some solid players that should contribute now. Also, with the addition of undrafted FA Thaddeus Moss, TE LSU, the Redskins were able to ignore the lackluster tight end class and focus on other needs.

The overall grade of this class will rest solely on the shoulders on the #2 overall pick Chase Young’s career. If he becomes the next Julius Peppers like many scouts believe he will, this will be the greatest draft class since the Redskins took Sean Taylor and Chris Cooley in the ’04 draft. If he doesn’t, well, there’s always next year.