Thanks as always for taking part in the mailbag, and keep the questions coming. We’ll do it all over again next week. E-mail me at mike.jones@washpost.com with the subject line of “Mailbag question.”

Here we go!

If you were Scot McCloughan and did make the pick at 21 who would you take?

– Marcus Yoder

This is of course hinges upon which players remain on the board at that point, but if he’s available, I’d take Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander. He’s confident, plays with an edge, he’s extremely versatile and would fit well with Bashaud Breeland in giving Washington a pair of young, talented cornerbacks to build their secondary around.

I know it might raise some eyebrows that Alexander didn’t record a single interception in college, but in the eyes of some talent evaluators, that’s a sign that opponents respected Alexander and shied away from going his way. And, although it’s important, that position is about more than just getting picks. Alexander is well-rounded enough as a coverage cornerback, and as a nickelback and would solve both an immediate and long-term need.

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If he’s gone, then I’d consider Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland or Baylor defensive lineman Andrew Billings, who also would meet needs on the defense.

We consistently hear Washington needs a tough nose guard or a large man to play in the middle of our 3-4 defense. However, at the same time we consistently hear we are only in that alignment 25 percent of the time. My question is why draft specific body types or individuals for a defense you are only in 25 percent of the time? Why not commit to a 4-3 since you are in 65 to 75 percent of the time? Kerrigan has said he could easily put on 10 to 15 pounds, and Preston Smith and Trent Murphy definitely could since both look relatively slim. I think the only person that would not fit as an every-down player would be Junior Galette. Your thoughts?

– Bowen Carpenter, Raleigh, N.C.

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The Redskins like the versatility that they have with being able to play three- and four-man defensive fronts. That’s why they want to draft players that have the ability to play either 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end, and guys that can play either nose tackle or end in the 3-4, or defensive tackle in the four-man front. Versatility is key, and this is smart. An ability to give the opponent all kinds of different looks will help keep the quarterback and linemen off balance. I’m not sure why you would think that Galette couldn’t serve as an every-down player. He did so as a 4-3 defensive end for New Orleans, and he does seem to have the athleticism to drop back into coverage at times, but most cases, you want him getting after the quarterback.

(Editor’s note: Mike has written that “they’re only in their base 3-4 front 20 to 25 percent of the time,” but that doesn’t mean they’re base 4-3 the other 75 to 80 percent of the time. According to data provided by Pro Football Focus, Washington was in a 2-4-5 alignment on 58% of snaps last season, a 3-4 27% of the time, a 2-3-6 11%, and several other alignments for 17 snaps or fewer, less than 1.5% each. So they basically spent all their time in nickel, base and dime.)

Redskins color rush? Black on black? Is this a thing? This is a thing, right? Let me believe the hype.

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– Menzell Seales

I haven’t heard anything yet on if the Redskins will wear “color rush” uniforms like teams did on Thursday night games during the second half of last season. Players lobbied to wear white jerseys and white pants last year, but team president Bruce Allen gave that idea the thumbs down. No word on if his stance has changed, or if the league would require Washington to wear these kinds of uniforms – whether it’s burgundy on burgundy, or gold on gold. I kind of would be surprised if back-on-black was an option.

There’s been some thought that the Redskins’ GM might get the chance to trade away pick 21 or 53 (or even 84) in order to secure additional picks in the upcoming NFL draft. What does the draft value chart say about what would be the return in additional picks should that opportunity occur?

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– Emmett Mosley

Well it all depends on how far up a team is trading to get to that spot. The 21st pick is valued at 800 points, so, say a team like the Patriots, who have no first-round pick this year, wants to move up to get into the first round. They’d have to package picks to equal that. To be clear, this isn’t saying the Patriots will do this, but if they did, they could take their first pick of the draft, which is a second-rounder (60th overall), which is valued at 300 points, and one of their third-rounders – 91st (136 points) or 96th (116), or both, and a few of their five sixth-round picks to compensate the Redskins.

Or, maybe it’s a team like the Broncos, who do have a first-rounder and two third-rounders and multiple seventh-rounders, looking to move up. That 31st overall pick is valued at 600 points, and their first third-rounder (94th) is valued at 124 points, while their second (98th) is worth 108 points. And then a couple of late-rounders could complete the deal.

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Again, it’s hard to say exactly what the Redskins could receive for that pick because it all depends on which team it is and what picks they hold. But those are two examples. Here’s a link to the pick value chart.

The Skins seem extremely thin at running back. If they fail to get multiple running backs thru the draft, is Arian Foster a one-year option? Also, is Will Blackmon considered [a safety until he] proves he CAN’T do it, or like D-Hall last year, depends on circumstances? Any improvement on Kyshoen Jarrett?

– Ryan Chase

No, I don’t believe Foster, who’s trying to make a comeback from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, would receive consideration from Washington. Remember, they want to go young, and build that way. It’s possible that they add a veteran to the mix (possibly re-signing Pierre Thomas to complement Matt Jones and Chris Thompson), but I don’t see Foster coming here.

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For now, until they hit the practice fields during the offseason sessions, and until they can do some experimentation with Blackmon, I think he’s considered a cornerback. The coaches haven’t decided on a definite move to safety for Blackmon, just that it’s a possibility. I haven’t heard anything new on Kyshoen Jarrett yet, and I don’t think they’ll really have a good idea of his availability until later this summer as his recovery from the nerve damage in his neck and shoulder continues to progress.

Before Jordan Reed’s breakout season, Niles Paul was looking to become the tight end for the future. With his injury, where does he stand now?

– George Lamarre

Paul was indeed having a strong training camp prior to breaking and dislocating an ankle during the preseason. But I think Jordan Reed eventually would have reclaimed his spot atop the depth chart. Coaches at the time wanted to see him display improved toughness and consistency. And we all know how last season played out for him. That being said, the Redskins definitely would have benefited from both Reed and Paul on the field. They ran a lot of two-tight end formations throughout the season, however, struggled to receive significant contributions from the second tight end.

Throwing Paul back into the mix – bringing both his ability to block effectively and also run routes and catch passes – should bring an added dimension to Washington’s offense, and also make it harder for teams to key on Reed. Many times, if you saw Tom Compton in the game as a blocking tight end, you knew off the bat that it was a run play. And even on pass plays where he lined up at tight end, defenses knew he wasn’t going out for a pass. Paul’s return will definitely help in a number of ways.

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Paul has gotten back to running, cutting and jumping. He’s currently working to get his weight back up after losing quite a bit during his rehabilitation. The Redskins are expecting to have him back on the field and competing with Vernon Davis for that No. 2 tight end spot by the time training camp rolls around.

Total fluff, but could be very interesting/fun. Which Redskin would help out the Capitals most on this postseason run?

– Dan Cinalli

I’ve got to confess, I don’t watch a lot of hockey. So, while I could tell you which Redskins players could help the Wizards out, I’m scratching my head on projecting these guys as hockey players. So, I hit up my guy Grant Paulsen, who used to work the beat with me (him for 106.7 The Fan and me for The Post) for four years until he got his mid-day show on The Fan. He’s the biggest Caps fan I know, and also still naturally closely monitors the Redskins.

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So, GP said that he could envision Pierre Garcon making an impact on the ice. Yes, Pierre is a wide receiver for the Redskins, but he’s a physical presence and has great speed. “He’s fast and athletic enough for top line, but throws his body around,” Grant said.

He also projects inside linebacker Will Compton as an impactful player on the ice. “Compton could be a fourth-line grinder; traffic in front of the net type.”

So, provided they could skate, there are a couple of gridiron to ice prospects for you.

E-mail a Redskins question to mike.jones@washpost.com, with the subject “Mailbag question,” and it might be answered Tuesday in the Mailbag.