2018 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins 7-round mock

Round 2 – Pick 44

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

Aside from picking a defensive tackle, one way to address a the worst run defense in the NFL is to find some talent behind that line. Washington could use an upgrade at the linebacker position. Starter Zach Brown is a pending free agent. Starting aside him was a fourth year player in Zach Vigil who was an undrafted free agent. Their depth chart is thinning with fellow linebackers Will Compton and Chris Carter also free agents.

This is a deep linebacker class, which bodes well for Washington. At the top of round two they are able to grab one of the more intriguing prospects at the position, Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch.

Washington gets an athletic off-ball linebacker in drafting Vander Esch. The former two sport standout has kept his athleticism from his basketball days while bulking up to play linebacker at Boise State. His fluid movement and agility pops on tape, as a true three down linebacker at the next level. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, it is not like he is a small player for the position either. In college he was insanely productive in his single year getting starting time with 141 tackles.

This could be a spot where Washington feels compelled to grab a defensive tackle. The value of an every down linebacker however would be too good to pass up. The bigger concern that could be addressed here is wide receiver where the Redskins seem to have little outside the upside of Josh Doctson and slot play of Jamison Crowder. Washington does not own a third round pick (traded for Alex Smith).