2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

By Brad Weiss | Apr 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks across the line of scrimmage prior to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Washington Redskins have been poor on defense for as long as I can remember, and they should spend their first round pick improving the unit. Up front, this team needs help, as they were run all over during the 2017 season. One player who can really help up front on defense is Vita Vea, who many believe is the best defensive tackle this draft class has to offer.

Vea can do pretty much anything from his defensive tackle position, as he is good against the run, and the pass. He is a big body, that is for sure, but he also has tremendous feet for a guy his size. In fact, during his time at Washington, he not only tracked down running backs, but also was very good at getting after the quarterback and applying pressure up front.

The NFC East is going to be tough next season, and the Redskins cannot afford to take a step backwards. They brought in Alex Smith to be the quarterback, and he has been one of the better regular season quarterbacks in football the last few years. They will be improved, but if they cannot stop the run, they are not going to be at the top of the division next season, that is for sure.

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