this years draft so far

[skinsdad62]

• ohn Keim, ESPN Staff Writer

ASHBURN, Va. -- Taking a look at the Washington Redskins' 10-member draft class, which has several players who could help this season:

OL Brandon Scherff. Had a better game in protection vs. Baltimore and as a run blocker was fine; did miss one block in space and it wasn’t as if he was just driving guys off the ball. But overall a better outing. He’ll still have to work on staying lower at the snap and getting his hands tighter, especially considering the first defender he’ll face in a real game is Miami’s Ndamukong Suh.

Projection: Starter.

LB Preston Smith. Has taken a jump since the preseason games began and is one player the coaches are getting more excited about. Two reasons for their optimism: strength and length. Smith has both and that’s been evident watching him rush. He’s not explosive, but if he can use the other two areas, then he can help the defense. He is thinking less on his rushes and using more of his best assets, which are his hands. Early in camp he was using moves that perhaps he’s not ready to just yet.

Projection: Key backup, eventual starter.

RB Matt Jones. Another guy who has the coaches excited. There’s a look in their eye when they talk about him that you don’t always see. Jones has had a good preseason, though he still needs to work on staying low through the hole. That’s been a point of emphasis for he and the coaches. But having a big man who cuts like Jones is a nice thing to have. He’ll get plenty of work behind Alfred Morris.

Projection: Key backup.

WR Jamison Crowder. He was finally able to play and responded with four catches for 41 yards and a deflected grab for a touchdown. Crowder also admitted that he had to do a better job of knowing where to go vs. certain coverages (also looked confused on one screen pass to him). Before the preseason he had a shot to unseat Andre Roberts as the main slot guy. That can still happen, but not sure at what point.

Projection: Backup; punt returner.

OG Arie Kouandjio. Has good muscle and plays well in tight areas; aggressive with his punches. But he still needs work on blocking in space, which was the knock on him coming out of Alabama. However, he has as much “nasty” as any lineman on the Redskins. Also very coachable.

Projection: Backup.

LB Martrell Spaight. Has worked with the No. 2 defense since training camp started and has shown some of the thump that he did at Arkansas. He is not a burner from sideline-to-sideline, but he plays with good instincts.

Projection: Backup.

S Kyshoen Jarrett. He’s the Niles Paul version of the defense; a guy you need to find room for because of his mindset/demeanor/toughness. One way or another he’ll make this team. Virginia Tech fans told me about him and they were right. I like what he adds. The Redskins will work him at free safety vs. Jacksonville on Thursday.

Projection: Backup.

CB Tevin Mitchel. Already gone; was waived/injured and claimed by Indianapolis.

WR Evan Spencer. Showed the Redskins more as a receiver than they were anticipating, but if he makes the roster it’ll be as a special-teams contributor. He suffered a concussion vs. Baltimore, but was on the field Tuesday. Don’t know yet if he’ll be cleared to play vs. the Jaguars.

Projection: Backup/practice squad.

C Austin Reiter. Hasn’t shown any reason to believe he’ll win a roster spot.Josh LeRibeus is entrenched as the backup center behind Kory Lichtensteiger.

Projection: Practice squad.

• so far so good with the picks

 

[j_y19]

Looks to be a pretty good class, only one flunk out so far. Spencer may start out on the PUP, although there may be practice restrictions associated with that. If so, then practice squad bound.