Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, April 8, 18 days before the NFL draft.

Sunday draft four pack

—The Redskins had Washington State OT Cole Madison in for a pre-draft visit on Friday. He’s 6-5, 313 and he played right tackle for a Cougars team that threw 664 passes under coach Mike Leach. Most project him to move inside in the NFL and that is where the Redskins’ interest in him likely lies. Most projections have him going sometime on Saturday. Madison’s game is more about quickness and athleticism rather than power. Remember they have 30 visits to use and they draft players who don’t visit all the time. But if they like him it’s a pick that would make sense.

—There is plenty of chatter about the Redskins trading back to recoup the third-round pick they gave up in the Alex Smith trade. A quick look at the draft trade chart says that it will take moving back four spots to No. 17 to pick up a pick around the middle of the third round. What, you say as long as your trading why not get a second-round pick? That would take a drop of about 10 spots, to No. 23 or 24.

—Every year, there is a quarterback that nobody talks about much in February and March who suddenly zooms into the first-round discussion in April. Last year it was Patrick Mahomes who was thought to be a second- or third-round prospect until late in the process. The Chiefs traded up to the No. 10 spot to draft him. This year the late buzz is about Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State. If he joins the other four QB’s who seem sure to go in the top 12, the Redskins will benefit as another quality non-quarterback will be there when they pick. Or, perhaps he will be on the board at 13 and the phone will ring with some attractive trade offers. In any case, Redskins fans should root for him improving draft stock.

—You may have heard that the Redskins would like to draft a defensive lineman in the first but if there is another player there who is too good to pass up—namely Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James—they will take him. That sounds logical but don’t bet the ranch on it. Two years ago at this time they were telling everyone who would listen that they were not interested in taking a wide receiver in the first round. On draft night, Josh Doctson was holding up the Redskins jersey with No. 1 on it. Many scenarios are in play.

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

In response to a tweet about a John Keim article saying that free agent DL Johnathan Hankins is looking for “an expensive multi-year deal.”

He was patient last year. He got 3 years, $30 million from the Colts on April 13. Turned out to be 1/10MM but still not bad. We’ll see what he’s thinking if it gets to, say, April 20 and he’s unsigned. https://t.co/cHtspvJ84b — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) April 7, 2018

Timeline

Days until:



—Offseason workouts begin (4/16) 8

—Training camp starts (approx. 7/26) 109

—2018 NFL season starts (9/9) 154

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