2017 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins final grade

By John Buhler | Apr 30, 2017

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jonathan Allen (Alabama) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 17 overall pick to the Washington Redskins in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Washington Redskins landed an elite defensive lineman in Jonathan Allen at No. 17. Here is the 2017 NFL Draft grade for the Washington franchise.

The Washington Redskins felt the need to draft nine players in the 2017 NFL Draft. They did lose a handful of players in free agency and Washington hasn’t been a marquee destination for players to pursue second contracts with for a while now. So the NFL Draft it is!

Washington found massive pay dirt in the form of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Jonathan Allen with the No. 17 overall pick. He may not have any cartilage in that one shoulder of his, but whatever. The guy was the best player in the SEC last year. His NFL career may be short, but it could be a special one.

Here is a look at who the Redskins picked and the 2017 NFL Draft grade.

First Round

Jonathan Allen

Defensive End, Alabama Crimson Tide

If he checked out medically, Allen would have been a certain top-five pick. Frankly, a clean bill of health would have ensured that Allen dropped no lower than No. 4 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is huge, fast and powerful. Allen is a great on-field leader. What’s not to love about the guy?

Allen has the rare ability to play in any defensive-front formation and cannot be substituted off the field. For a big guy like he is, it is impressive that he rarely seems to tire. Though he’s not explosive on every play from scrimmage, he will make an impact play or two every series for a defense.

Washington needed a big time overhaul on defense, as the Redskins will be having their third defensive coordinator in four seasons. While Washington has strong defensive players like cornerback Josh Norman and pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan, Allen is more of a blue-chipper than both of them combined.

Though we are not entirely sure who is running the Redskins front office at the moment, they used a level of pragmatism unaccustomed to recent Washington team building. They took the best player available at No. 17. Allen is going to be a stud for the Redskins from day one of training camp.

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