Redskins Mock Draft: 2014 (2nd Edition)

Redskins Mock Draft: 2014 (2nd Edition)

Pick 66) Third Round

Safety: Deone Bucannon (Washington St.) 6-1, 216 pounds.

The Washington Redskins have had a huge hole at safety ever since the late Sean Taylor stepped off the field for what would be his final game. Now Deone Bucannon is no Sean Taylor, but he certainly would fill the huge hole at strong safety the Redskins have staring them in the face. Bucannon has a tendency to look for the big hit, which often leads to big misses but his size, speed and playing style are exactly what every NFL team wants in their secondary.

Scout Notes: Boasts an imposing build with broad shoulders and a thick, muscled-up top half. Best attribute may be his explosive hitting, as Bucannon at times appears as though he is shot out of a cannon, unloading on runners and receivers crossing the middle and forcing fumbles. Doesn’t only rely on his big hits to create fumbles, also demonstrating the wherewithal to rip at the ball as he’s making the tackle (career-high three forced fumbles in 2013). Also showed improved range and ball-skills in 2013, recording a career-high six interceptions in 2013 to give him 15 for his career… Enjoyed a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

Our pick at #66 in the Redskins Mock Draft 1st Edition was Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller. Fuller’s draft stock has risen since then, and he is now rated as a late first-round, early second round pick and could still be an option at cornerback for the Redskins at pick 34 and deserves mention here in the 2nd edition as well.

Other Options at #66

—Inside Linebacker: Christian Jones (Florida State) 6-3, 240 pounds.

Jones is a versatile player who moved all over the defense in his career at FSU and assumed the role of an edge pass rusher from his strong-side LB position in the latter half of the 2013 season. That move led to a career-best 8.0 TFL (tackle for loss)  to go along with multiple sacks for the third time in his four-year career. led the team with six quarterback hurries, twice as many as any other Seminole…had 56 tackles…was tied for fourth on the team in TFL (8.0) and tied for fourth in sacks (2.0). Jones could have the best chance of starting for the Redskins at ILB beside Perry Riley out of all the ILB’s left on the board at this stage.

Scout Notes: Tremendous athlete with has fluid footwork who flawlessly flips his hips to blanket tight ends or receivers down the field in coverage. Tall and long, which he uses well in coverage. Plays with excellent range and speed to chase down the action, taking proper angles in pursuit. Flashes the take-on strength to blow past blockers when he uses proper technique.

— Center: Travis Swanson (Arkansas) 6-5, 312 pounds

Swanson started all 50 games of his Razorback career, blocked for three seasons with a 3,000-yard passer and two seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher. The Redskins have already released their center from a season ago when they let Will Montgomery go last month and reportedly will move Kory Lichtensteiger over to take his place. Moving Lichtensteiger could be a short-term answer, but the long-term resolution would be to draft someone like Swanson.

Scout Notes: Has the athleticism to pull in the running game. Able to seal off defenders from the action when blocking straight ahead. Can anchor well against strong run defenders. Good explosiveness to deliver his snaps and awareness in making line calls.

—Inside Linebacker: Shayne Skov (Stanford) 6-2, 245 pounds

Scout Notes: Ideal size and temperament for the inside linebacker position. Possesses broad shoulders, a trim middle, and thick lower-body. Terrific instincts and physicality. A tone-setter in the middle, who frequently made big plays at key moments for the Cardinal. Demonstrated more explosiveness in 2013, in his second season removed from a torn ACL. Explodes through holes in the offensive line to make emphatic tackles in the backfield. One of Skov’s greatest attributes has always been aggression in taking on and shedding blockers in the hole. Displayed greater patience in 2013 when breaking down with ball-carriers in the open field because he has regained his explosive closing ability. This has led to less lunging by Skov and more secure textbook tackling. Voted a team captain.

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