A measured Draft for the WFT in 2021

Change continues at a steady pace for the NFL franchise in Washington.

Drafting as the Washington Football Team for the first, and likely last, time, this was an initial opportunity to scrutinise the key decision-making trinity in D.C. How would this agreement by committee work out on Draft night?

General Manager Martin Mayhew, executive vice president of football for player personnel Marty Gurney and the guy who is undoubtedly in charge, Head Coach Ron Rivera, clearly had a plan and they stuck to it and to their Draft Board. For some, perhaps too rigidly, as there was no trade-up for a future franchise QB.

Justin Fields was the most obvious example in-play; however, I am not convinced that Chicago’s trade partner, the New York Giants, would have been as receptive to a phone call from their divisional rivals in burgundy & gold. And more importantly, the chance of the WFT making that call seem slim to non-existent.

Solid decisions in free agency led to a panic-free 2021 Draft. Washington acquired the experienced Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB, the speed & quality of wideout Curtis Samuel, superstar in waiting William Jackson III at CB and the cap friendly reunion with Left Tackle turned competent Guard Ereck Flowers. This was a free agency of sensible decisions at positions of need & to provide quality depth.

I have little doubt this led to the front office feeling less likely to make a positional reach, although an immediate need was addressed with the card turned in at #19 for University of Kentucky Line Backer Jamin Davis.

And with this high-ceiling pick, the scene was set, with a strong focus on outstanding athletic profiles and mature mindsets.

The front office in WFT will not be rolling the dice on talented but flawed character rookies, but instead had taken due care and diligence with each and every draft choice.

The second-round pick of Samuel Cosmi (6ft6 with an off the charts athletic profile) could give the WFT a long-term solution at Left Tackle, with the Texas Longhorn recruit noted to play with a desired nasty streak along the line. Such traits are always welcome on the Offensive Line in D.C, and it is not beyond Cosmi to win-out vs the starting LT Cornelius Lucas in camp competition.

The wide receiver corps in Washington, outside of Terry McLaurin and Samuel is viewed as an area of weakness. This was addressed with the third-round pick of Dyami Brown out of North Carolina. Rivera in his post-draft press conference remarked on the contested catch ability of Brown. When added to the obvious vertical speed threat, this pick would have delighted OC Scott Turner and is another step in the right direction for the WFT to complement their strong DEF with an increase in capable pass catchers.

Taken before Brown, but with perhaps less fanfare and more quizzical looks was DB Benjamin St-Juste with the 72nd overall pick. St-Juste has the physical traits to make a move inside to play the free safety role and at 23 years old has plenty of College experience.

Rounds 4-7 were intriguing, with the addition in R4 of John Bates another 6ft6 athlete who is primarily a blocking Tight End. A slightly weak WTF positional group at TE, will see Bates backing up Logan Thomas who had a breakout 2020 season. With reported good hands and physicality, this pick has potential upside for the WFT if Bates can show a pass threat to his game in competitive yards situations.

Safety Darrick Forrest is an experienced College player and self-proclaimed Special Teams ace and was a solid fifth round pick. A confession when the sixth-round choice came in; it took me ten seconds to realise that LS was indeed the Long Snapper position. Sticking to the (cheese?) board could not be better expressed than the decision to draft Camaron Cheeseman who replaces the released Nick Sundberg.

The departure of free agent Ryan Anderson to the NYG and the as yet unsigned FA Ryan Kerrigan, left a sizable gap on the edge for the WFT. Shaka Toney and William Bradley-King flashed off the edge in College but seem a little undersized as book ends and might make the roster as situational backers. If they need inspiration, however, Kamren Curl is a shining example of a Round 7 guy who is now a starter for the WFT.

After some late round shenanigan trades with the Eagles, the WFT had an additional seventh round choice and, just one pick way from the 259th Mr Irrelevant was WR Dax Milne who is a projected slot receiver in the NFL.

Final Takeaway

Washington were not flashy in Draft 2021 and stuck to the positive in-house scouting reports and process-driven approach from Ron Rivera. They continue to adhere to the mantle of steady and sure progress. Rivera and his coaching staff like fast practice and there will be plenty of competition in camp to make the final roster.

The QB situation long-term will need addressing and it is likely that with a young athletic roster in place, 2022 is the year that the WFT make a big swing at the position whether it be for a high profile QB who wants a new challenge, or a star rookie for whom it is worth the trade up price.