ASHBURN, Va. (AP) After plugging holes on the defensive and offensive lines and at running back, the Washington Redskins still have plenty of depth needs to fill on the third day of the NFL draft.
Washington has five picks left: one each in the fourth, fifth and sixth and two in the seventh round Saturday. The extra fifth-rounder the Redskins got from Denver for safety Su'a Cravens they traded to San Francisco on Friday night as part of a deal to move down in the second round and pick up an extra third.
Taking Alabama defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne 13th overall, LSU running back Derrius Guice 59th and Louisville offensive tackle Geron Christian 74th should allow the Redskins to solidify their secondary and perhaps find a long-term prospect at tight end. Selecting Christian likely moves swing tackle Ty Nsekhe to the starting left guard spot, making good on senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams' theory that the team wasn't going into the draft determined to get a guard.
Washington prioritized defensive line over other defensive positions by taking Payne, and young defensive backs Fabian Moreau and Montae Nicholson will be counted on more in 2018. It could still use another cornerback and safety either in the draft or through free agency.
Years of injuries to star tight end Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis being 34 makes that position a strong possibility, even a year after taking Jeremy Sprinkle. Getting more receiver options for recently-acquired quarterback Alex Smith also puts receiver in play.
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