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2016 Washington Redskins draft picks: Analysis for every selection

John Keim breaks down the 2016 Washington Redskins draft class.

Round 1, Pick No. 22: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU | Highlights

My take: The Redskins didn't have an immediate need at receiver, with DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder their top three. However, both Jackson and Garcon are in the final year of their contracts, so this gives the Redskins a younger, cheaper alternative already in place -- and a talented one. Doctson gives quarterback Kirk Cousins another young weapon. If the Redskins keep both Garcon and Jackson, it certainly gives them insurance if something happens; the offense suffered when Jackson missed seven games last season. At 6 feet 2, Doctson offers good size -- the Redskins' tallest wideout is Garcon at 6 feet -- and does an excellent job going after the ball, allowing him to play a little taller. I wouldn't call this a luxury pick, but general manager Scot McCloughan can say he stuck by his board and took the best available player. For a long time, even those in the organization who loved Doctson were convinced the Redskins wouldn't draft him. But it's a move that can provide big help.

Cap savings: The Redskins have only about $4 million in cap space available after signing corner Josh Norman last week. And they have two expensive receivers in Jackson ($9.25 million) and Garcon ($10.2 million). The Redskins like Garcon quite a bit but cutting him would save the Redskins $8 million. However, a source said nothing will change for Garcon. If nothing else, the addition of Doctson allows the Redskins to move on after this season from either Garcon or Jackson. Also, by not needing to re-sign both players, and with a cheaper starting receiver in Doctson, the Redskins will have more money available to sign other key free agents such as Cousins, tight end Jordan Reed, linebacker Junior Galette and defensive end Chris Baker. They can cut receiver Andre Roberts and save $3 million (or $4 million if it's designated post-June 1).

A.J. Green comparison: The Redskins met with Doctson only one time, at the scouting combine, for 15 minutes. But he has definitely had his fans in the organization for a long time. Redskins coach Jay Gruden, though, saw something on tape that looked familiar, which is why he said Doctson reminded him in some ways of his former Bengals receiver, A.J. Green. Though Doctson is two inches shorter than Green, Gruden said Doctson has "the same type of body control and the ability to high-point" the ball. The Redskins lack a player with that height and leaping ability, and it should make Doctson a threat in the red zone. He said his game begins with the "most dominant trait a receiver should have, and that's catching the football."


Round 2, Pick No. 53: Su'a Cravens, S, USC| Highlights

My take: I like that Washington continues to add players who have a certain mindset, guys who can do a few things and seem to have a passion for the game. When you make the NFL as an undersized linebacker -- or as a tweener between linebacker and safety -- then it's probably because you have some good skills and just love to play. But you need to do more than that and Cravens has the ability to do so. He said the Redskins told him he'll play immediately as their dime linebacker, someone who can cover but also defend the run -- their version of Deone Bucannon, the Arizona safety who plays like a linebacker. In this era, it's important to have players such as this. And it's hard to imagine them seeing him strictly as a dime linebacker after this season. If he develops, he'd provide the Redskins good versatility in multiple packages.

Connections: Cravens has a lot of athletic connections in his family. His brother, Siaki, played defensive line at Hawaii; his sister, Malia, played basketball for Hawaii and then at USC, where she also ran track. His cousin, Jordan Cameron, plays tight end for Miami and another, Colby Cameron, played quarterback at Louisiana Tech. There's more: His grandfather played basketball and baseball at BYU and his mother's second cousin is former NFL safety David Fulcher. Finally, Cravens is distant cousins with San Diego linebacker Manti Te'o. There's a reason Cravens said family reunions on both sides of his family were intense. Cravens also had a connection to the Redskins: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry recruited Cravens as a sophomore when Barry was coaching at USC. Barry left before Cravens arrived, however.


Round 3, Pick No. 84: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech| Highlights

My take: The big question for Fuller is when he'll be able to play because of his knee -- and how effective will he be? Fuller tore his meniscus last season and said he'll soon visit with Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, to see when he'll be able to return to full workouts. Fuller said before the surgery they thought he wouldn't miss much time, but when Andrews went in he saw he had to perform the dreaded micro-fracture surgery. However, coach Jay Gruden said he won't be ready for the rookie minicamp May 13-15. And in a worst-case scenario Fuller wouldn't be ready until training camp. But Fuller said he's able to do defensive back drills already; it's just a matter of his strength level. If Fuller regains his game -- there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of concern that he won't be able to do so. Washington had other needs, but the Redskins continue to stick to their board with their desire to simply add good players. They've added terrific depth at corner this offseason, but could use another interior defensive linemen.

Family talk: Fuller, who attended high school at Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland, will become the fourth NFL player in his family, joining his three brothers. The consensus seems to be that he might be the best of the bunch. Vincent Fuller played seven seasons with Tennessee; Corey is a fourth-year corner for Detroit, and Kyle is entering his third year with Chicago. "It was definitely an advantage," Kendall Fuller said. "Being able to learn from their experiences, their past and just soaking up that knowledge and really kind of being able to understand the game fully and things like that definitely benefited me a lot." And, he said, they all built their game with a healthy work ethic. "We're guys that we don't talk a lot, but we work through our actions. We're never going to let anyone outwork us and we're going to try to be the hardest-working guys on the field."


Round 5, Pick No. 152: Matt Ioannidis, DT,Temple| Highlights

My take: Ioannidis played all over Temple's line. The question will be: Can he help this year? He doesn’t have to be a starter in order to help, but he does appear to be someone who should be able to help defend the run. He’s strong. But at 299 pounds, he’s probably best suited to play end in the base package and tackle in the nickel package with the Redskins hoping he can get occasional push.

Building blocks: The Redskins liked the depth of the defensive line class and felt there were quality players into the fifth round. Ioannidis fits the description of players general manager Scot McCloughan likes to draft: tough, hard-nosed. Also, the bulk of Washington’s defensive line is 28 years old or older, with Trent Murphy being one exception at 25, though he’s transitioning to end. It doesn’t make them an old group, but it did mean the Redskins needed to add a rookie.


Round 6, Pick No. 187: Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana| Highlights

My take: Sudfeld was an inconsistent quarterback at Indiana, but he was one reason why the Hoosiers had a dangerous offense at times. He led the Big Ten in yards per pass at 8.2 and was a three-year starter. Last season, the 6-foot-6 Sudfeld threw for 3,573 yards and 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Sudfeld also offers strong character, having gone on two missions to Uganda. His brother, Zach, plays tight end for the Jets.


Round 7, Pick No. 232: Steven Daniels, ILB, Boston College| Highlights

My take: The Redskins continue to add players who were either captains or considered leaders, which is what Daniels was for Boston College’s defense last season. Daniels gives them a player who could be fun watching develop over the next couple years; he’s already considered a strong run defender and big-time hitter. If nothing else, he can provide help on special teams -- similar to what they hoped from last year’s sixth-round linebacker Martrell Spaight.

Pass coverage: Daniels was well aware of the knock on his game, which is why he focused hard on improving in pass coverage this offseason. "I had tight hips before," he said. "I knew I needed to work on it. Drilling that, working on pass coverages, changing directions and getting those things together. Once I know I have weaknesses, I have to change that."


Round 7, Pick No. 242: Keith Marshall, RB,Georgia| Highlights

My take: Marshall provides the Redskins with something unique: speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in a combine-best 4.31 seconds. “There’s no substitute for speed,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “Very explosive.” Marshall said: “They said they’re looking for a fast, explosive player and I can fit that role for them. I believe I’m an every down running back.”

Knee issues: Marshall entered Georgia as a highly-recruited running back and split time with Todd Gurley as a freshman. But Marshall tore his right ACL and that cost him a season-and-a-half. By the time he returned Marshall had fallen on the depth chart and never recovered. It’s why he finished with just 253 carries in four years. But Marshall said his knee is fine – his 40-time is proof.