The Washington Redskins might look to make a big move in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, which kicks off tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday on Up To The Minute Live that the Redskins have inquired about trading up into the top five.
"The Redskins have explored the possibility of trading up all the way into the top five," Garafolo said. "I don't think that, I know that. I can report that. They have had conversations with all of those teams. But look, everybody is having conversations with everybody right now. Just to figure out what the price would be -- what if. But the fact that they're at least exploring it tells me that they've thought about the possibility.
"Now maybe if we're to take Doug Williams at his word, he thinks that the price is going to be too high to do that. But Dwayne Haskins is a guy that has a lot of support in this building, I can tell you that much. We know about the connections with owner Dan Snyder and his son, those two went to school together. He's a local kid, he's got a lot of the tools. He had great production last year at Ohio State. But is he a player that can help this team right away? I know there are folks inside this building that think that that is not that case. That he might need some time to learn the offensive system; to learn life at the NFL level he only has that one year of production and maybe they think we should go with a guy that can help us right away and we can build around Case Keenum."
Washington currently sits with the No. 15 overall pick and owns nine total selections in the 2019 draft, including two third-rounders.
If the Redskins are willing to give up the kind of draft capital it would take to leap 10 or more spots, we presume it'd be to snag a quarterback -- the one position mortgaging the future could make it worth such a hefty proposition in the long run. Washington currently sits with Case Keenum -- acquired in a trade -- and Colt McCoy, who is recovering from another surgery at the position.
With the long-term future of Alex Smith in serious doubt, the Redskins could try to leap high for their franchise signal-caller.
If Washington or any other QB-curious team were to trade up for Haskins or an available quarterback, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport believes that club would have to hop into the top three so as to also avoid the mysterious Oakland Raiders at No. 4.
"Keep an eye on No. 3. That's where the New York Jets are, and general manager Mike Maccagnan has been very clear that he is open to trading," Rapoport reported Wednesday. "The reason I say No. 3 instead of No. 5 ahead of the Giants is the Oakland Raiders have become somewhat of a curiosity here. Some teams believe they could take a quarterback, either Kyler Murray if he's available or Dwayne Haskins. They worked out both players. Really, really, really liked both guys. obviously, Derek Carr is their franchise quarterback and they have stood behind him, but still the quarterback rumors with the Raiders persist and are not going to stop until we figure out whether they draft the best available quarterback or a top front-seven player at No. 4."
The last time the Redskins made a move to the top of the draft board to take a QB, they landed Robert Griffin III back in 2012 at the No. 2 slot. At the time, Washington owned the No. 6 overall pick, sending it along with a slew of other selections. This time it will take a massive haul to leap into the top five.
Around The NFL is tracking all of the latest buzz on the 84th Annual NFL Draft, which opens Thursday in Nashville. Check back each day for updated nuggets as we pass along whispers from around the league. Here's what we're hearing Wednesday:
- NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday the Miami Dolphins do have interest in taking a quarterback with the No. 13 overall pick. The Dolphins conducted private workouts with Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, Duke's Daniel Jones and Missouri's Drew Lock. Per Pelissero, "There are several players ... the Dolphins would be comfortable with taking at No. 13. They've also continued to get phone calls, mostly about moving down but a couple of teams also reaching out to see if maybe Miami might want to move up."
- Teams around the league view Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor as being available in a potential trade, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Agholor is set to play on the fifth year of his rookie contract and slated to earn $9.4 million fully guaranteed. If the Eagles select a receiver in the draft, it could signal Philly is ready to jettison the former first-round pick, Rapoport noted.
- Looking for a sleeper prospect to sneak into the top 100? Among the overlooked players to potentially have their name called before Day 3 are Boston College safety Will Harris, Utah linebacker Cody Barton, TCU linebacker Ty Summers, San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver and Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin, Rapoport reported.
- Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry doesn't expect to fall past the first pick of the second round, when the Cardinals are scheduled to select. Harry told The Burns and Gambo Show that if Arizona has the opportunity to select him on Friday evening, the Cards will do so. "I can't really say too much but just from the workout I had [with Arizona]," Harry said. "I really turned some heads in the organization. So, if for some reason I slip out the first round, in my opinion, I don't think there's any way I'll slip past 33." Harry is the 37th-ranked prospect and fourth-ranked wide receiver on NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's board.
