Here is what you need to know on this Friday, April 13, 13 days before the 2018 NFL draft.

Seven round Redskins mock draft

Mock drafts are guesses at best, but they are fun and I like to do them to try to figure out what the team will be thinking. Here is my first Redskins seven-round mock draft of the season. I’ll follow up with another one a day or two before the actual draft.

Round 1, Da’Ron Payne, DL, Alabama—Going with a second D-lineman in the first in as many years would set up an area that was neglected for years. Payne has some work to do as a pass rusher but he’ll be able to help with Washington’s biggest defensive issue, stopping the run, right away. For why I went with Payne over Vita Vea, check out the video at the top of the post.

Round 2, Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia—Jay Gruden has promised that the Redskins will emerge from the draft with a new running back. If they want to be assured that the player will be an upgrade over what they already have on the roster they almost have to take one here. There were several good choices on the board and Chubb was the best of the bunch.

Round 4, Scott Quessenberry, C, UCLA—This pick would fill the need at left guard with either Quessenberry directly or with Chase Roullier moving over. Quessenberry generates good pop at the point of attack but he needs to learn how to better use his size (6-4, 315).

Round 5-A, M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina—The Redskins like to keep six corners on the 53-man roster and right now they have five who are locks. Stewart could enter the mix as a physical slot corner, part-time safety, and special teams contributor.

Round 5-B, Ade Aruna, Edge, Tulane—It took a little while, but Ryan Grant developed well as a fifth-round pick out of Tulane. Aruna is very raw; he didn’t pick up football until his senior year in high school after he came to the United States from Nigeria. He will be a project, but his size and speed make him an intriguing prospect.

Round 6, Davis Wells, TE, San Diego State—The precarious situation at tight end is obvious, with Jordan Reed’s injury situation and the fact that Father Time eventually will defeat Vernon Davis. Wells is not likely to be a replacement for either right away, but he does have good hands and, at 6-5, 255, the size to be an effective blocker.

Round 7-A, Nick Gates, G, Nebraska—While no team has the depth to handle the rash of injuries that hit the Redskins’ O-line last year, they should constantly build the depth chart there. Gates would need time to add more power to his game, but he has good quickness and length.

Round 7-B, Tre Flowers, S, Oklahoma State—Maybe Fish Smithson can be the fourth safety but he shouldn’t get the job without competition. At 6-3, Flowers has excellent length and he’s a good tackler. He’s another one who could help on special teams while he learns.

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCSand follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS.

Tandler on Twitter

I think it’s all a smokescreen. If they really were interested in Jackson we would have not heard a thing. I think NE hangs on to their picks. — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) April 12, 2018

Timeline

Days until:



—Offseason workouts begin (4/16) 3

—Training camp starts (approx. 7/26) 104

—2018 NFL season starts (9/9) 149

In case you missed it