Why these 3 prospects make sense for Washington at No. 19 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
While the first two picks appear to be set in stone in most mock drafts and uber-talented players like Kyle Pitts likely won't be available to join coach Ron Rivera's team when it picks at no. 19, Washington could improve significantly in one of a few departments in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ahead of this month's draft, NBC Sports Washington insider JP Finlay named his three favorite prospects that could be available when the Burgundy and Gold are on the clock. Whether it wants to continue to improve the offense or further bolster a dominant defense, Washington will have plenty of options.
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Though there's some speculation Washington could trade up to select a franchise quarterback to learn under Ryan Fitzpatrick and compete with the likes of Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, here are some pretty good options if general manager Martin Mayhew stays pat.
"I think at the top of the list is Christian Darrisaw, a left tackle out of Virginia Tech, who scouts are drooling over his athleticism and his want to block," Finlay said. "I know that sounds kind of simple, but for a left tackle in the NFL you need kind of a nasty streak and you need to be able to match that with quick feet. Darrisaw shows signs of being that kind of guy."
Selecting Darrisaw falls in line with what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had in his latest mock draft, and would plug an immediate weakness at the left tackle position. Ever since the Trent Williams debacle, left tackle has been a hole that's needed to be filled for Rivera. Darrisaw would come in right away as a starter who can be trusted to protect the blindside of Fitzpatrick or whoever starts under center.
But what happens if Darrisaw is already off the board?
"If he's not there and they want to go in a different direction, how about Micah Parsons? Just a total freak athlete linebacker out of Penn State," Finlay said. "He's fast, he can cover, he can come downhill and really thump. I don't know if he'll last until 19, but if he is, that might be the linebacker Ron Rivera throws in the middle of his defense that takes this group from good to great. We'll see."
Having such an impressive arsenal of young defenders like 2020-21 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, leading sack-getter Montez Sweat and potentially Nittany Lions' All-American linebacker Parsons would really make Washington's long-term defensive personnel quite formidable.
It would also give Mayhew and company another young defensive asset in potential blockbuster QB trades for Russell Wilson or other disgruntled stars, though that surely won't go into how Washington makes its final decision.
Parsons has really impressed scouts due to his overpowering frame and knack to pop the ball out (four forced fumbles last season), so it's definitely possible he won't be available. If not, the league's eighth-worst passing offense in 2020-21 could afford another playmaker on the outside.
"For me, you can never have too many weapons on offense. This kid Kadarius Toney out of Florida is a flyer. He can make big plays," Finlay said. "Terry McLaurin is great, Curtis Samuel could be very good for this offense, but a guy like Toney, his ball skills, his athleticism, getting him on a rookie deal and having control for up to five years? That would certainly interest me as well."
Though all the attention has been heaped upon Toney's Gators teammate Pitts, Toney led the Gators in receiving in his senior campaign when he was finally healthy. He caught 120 passes for 1,590 yards and 12 touchdowns in his Florida career, and would be a welcomed addition to contribute offensively.
If the reigning NFC East champs wind up with one of these three Finlay-approved prospects, Washington will have yet another building block for their young and promising roster.
