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NFL Draft 2015 grades: Washington Redskins select Brandon Scherff

By Matt Verderame

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back Jordan Canzeri (33) follows the blocking of teammate offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back Jordan Canzeri (33) follows the blocking of teammate offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the fifth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff. Scherff is considered by many pundits to be the best player in the draft, making him a likely immediate starter for the Redskins. Last year, Scherff was named to the All Big-10 team, going somewhat under the national radar during the season on a middling Hawkeyes squad.

Grade: B-

With Scherff in the fold, Washington has its right tackle to play opposite Trent Williams. The Redskins are building a good front to protect Robert Griffin III, who has dealt with disappointment and injury in the first three years of his career.

However, the Redskins passed on perhaps the best player in the draft in Leonard Williams. Washington desperately needs to be more stout against the run and get better push in the pocket. Williams could have provided this, but instead the brain trust went in another direction. Scherff is a solid pick, but if Williams becomes the player many believe he will be, this could be a tough pill to swallow for those in the nation’s capital.

The Redskins still have ample holes to fill in the following rounds on both sides of the ball. Washington needs to add a receiver and find help at corner. Washington also needs to build up the front seven if it wants to compete in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

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