Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, March 22, 36 days before the April 27 NFL draft.

Timeline

Days until:



—Offseason workouts begin (4/17) 26

—Redskins rookie camp (5/12) 51

—Redskins OTAs start (5/24) 63

—Franchise tag contract deadline (7/15) 115

—First Sunday of 2017 season (9/10) 172

Setting the odds on the pick at No. 17

Yesterday I looked at five players who were tabbed by various mock drafters as the Redskins’ pick at No. 17. Today we’re going to break out the $100 in imaginary casino chips and spread them around the five players according to how likely it is that each one will end up holding up the Redskins No. 1 jersey and giving Roger Goodell the bro hug on April 27. As always, the chips are all divided among the five players; “the field” is not an option.

ILB Reuben Foster, Alabama, $15—As I’ve pointed out before, the Redskins never taken a middle/inside linebacker in the first round of the common draft (since 1966). Not that what George Allen did 40 years ago will have any effect on what his son might do in April but it’s interesting to note. While the Redskins could think long and hard about taking him I just don’t think that the organization values the position enough to spend a first-round pick there. Also, since other organizations do value the position, he could be gone by the time the 17th pick is on the clock.

DL Malik McDowell, Michigan State, $30—I have no official stats but I’ll bet that McDowell is the player who has been mocked to the Redskins more than any player. He’s the kind of athletic presence that the defensive line has lacked forever. Yes, there are consistency questions but he wouldn’t be the first one to have the light come on when he’s playing the game for a living.

RELATED: NFL Mock Draft Version 6.0

RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State, $20—I go back and forth on the Redskins taking a first-round running back. Going back to ancient history again, they haven’t taken a running back in the first since 1967 (Ray McDonald). Recently, they have managed to get decent results from the likes of sixth-round pick Alfred Morris and undrafted free agent Rob Kelley. But they haven’t had a home run threat at the position since Clinton Portis, who was a second-round pick of the Broncos. If you want that added dimension in a running back you almost have to take one early. They saw firsthand how Ezekiel Elliot made life so much easier for Dak Prescott last year. Perhaps investing a first rounder in a RB will make it easier to win after the possible (likely?) departure of Kirk Cousins.

DB Jabril Peppers, Michigan, $15—Is Peppers too much like Su’a Cravens to make sense as a first-round pick? Or could he be a second chess piece who could be used to compliment what Cravens does? This might be the pick that would be the most fun, to see how they might mix and match Peppers, Cravens, and D.J. Swearinger. But I would look at that as a luxury that a team averaging 10-12 wins a year could make. I don’t see the Redskins, who struggle to finish over .500.

QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson, $20—Something tells me that the Cousins-Redskins standoff is not going to end with a whimper. If this happens, it would go out with a bang. I really don’t know if the Redskins are at all sold on Watson but if they are this would be a good way to resolve the QB dilemma and have a signal caller for a low salary for the next five seasons.

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

Tandler on Twitter

Bull fighting rule No. 1--Don't turn your back to the bull. https://t.co/y4mwkdlT8h — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) March 21, 2017

In case you missed it