NFL Draft 2020: Grading every pick for Washington Redskins

Ron Rivera’s first draft as Washington Redskins head coach is in the books. Here’s how the Redskins graded in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Washington Redskins added perhaps the best overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Chase Young with the second overall pick. Outside of that, there were some interesting decisions made some that appear wise and others that could be big gambles.

Here we grade Washington’s eight 2020 draft picks made during the teams’ first draft of the Ron Rivera era.

Round 1,  Chase Young: A+

Even with Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat, edge rusher Chase Young was a no brainer for the Redskins with the second overall pick. Young was simply the most dominant defensive player in the country at Ohio State last season, making 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. Young immediately improves Washington’s already solid defensive front and has the celling of a Hall of Famer.

Round 3, Antonio Gibson: B+

With no second rounder, Washington used its third-round pick to take wide receiver/running back Antonio Gibson who ran for 369 yards and four touchdowns while also hauling in 38 catches for 735 yards and eight touchdowns at Memphis in 2019. Gibson can be used out of the backfield or as a receiver. This pick will help the Redskins better keep defenses on their toes, but they could’ve benefited from taking a true running back rather than a multi-position guy given Derrius Guice‘s injury history and Adrian Peterson‘s age.

Round 4, Saahdiq Charles: C

With the trade of Trent Williams, the Redskins selected LSU offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles to be his potential replacement. Charles was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017 and made 10 starts in 2018 but last season was suspended for the entirety of the Tigers’ non-conference slate due to a violation of team rules. He’d return later in the season to start nine games and help lead the Tigers to the national championship. While adding an SEC starter looks-wise on paper, taking a player with off the field issues has never exactly gone well in Washington. Thus, this pick is quite the gamble for Rivera and company.

Round 4, Antonio Gandy-Golden: A

The Redskins found a potential steal with their fourth round selection of wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden out of Liberty. In two seasons with the Flames Gandy-Golden racked 2,433 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns including a 1,396 yard, 10 touchdown 2019 season. This is a perfect pick for a Redskins team in dire need of a tall end zone threat.

Round 5, Keith Ismael: A

Washington needed to add depth at center and did just that with the selection of Keith Ismael. Ismael was twice named first-team Mountain West at San Diego State and should be able to develop into a potential starter for the Skins’ in the near future.

Round 5, Khaleke Hudson: B

The Redskins used their second, fifth round selection on Michigan linebacker Khaleke Hudson. While the team needed depth at the position, they’re banking on a player with just one big college season. Hudson made 101 total tackles in 2019 just a year after making 39 in 12 games in 2018. He may have his best football ahead of him, but it seems as if Washington could’ve gone a better direction here.

Round 7, Kamren Curl: A-

Washington found value with their first seventh round selection. Arkansas defensive back Kamren Curl defended 15 passes in his three-year college career and in 2019 made a career-high 76 total tackles. With Washington’s secondary still a large question mark, Curl could compete for a roster spot at corner, safety and or special teams.

Round 7, James Smith-Williams: C

The Redskins used their final pick on another pass rusher in North Carolina State’s James Smith-Williams. Smith-Williams made just eight sacks in four college seasons and with two edge rushers already taken, this pick simply did not make much sense.