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          NFL Nation

          On Mel Kiper's mock and the Redskins

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 14, 2015, 02:00 PM ET
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          A few thoughts on Mel Kiper's Mock 2.0 draft and how it impacts the Washington Redskins:

          1. He has the Redskins selecting Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, who would play outside linebacker in Washington. I still have to watch a lot more of Gregory to give you my firm opinion on him, but what I do know is that he's a heck of an athlete. That's why Kiper slotted him to the Redskins; he calls Gregory a "freak athlete." The Redskins could use such a player.

          2. Like fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay, Kiper has Marcus Mariota lasting until the sixth pick. What the Redskins really need is for someone else outside the top six to be interested in the Oregon quarterback. That way they can tempt the Jets, picking sixth, or the other team to give them something for the No. 5 choice. Realistically I don't think that will happen. No one from 7-10 likely will make such a move (unless St. Louis cuts Sam Bradford and wants to draft Mariota). And neither of the quarterbacks at the top of the draft are so good that some team would move up a long way to select them. Still, it's a scenario that could end up helping Washington.

          3. While McShay likes Shane Ray to Washington, Kiper has him going third overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. I did a write-up on Ray earlier this week. Quite explosive (the player, not the write-up but you knew that, right?)

          4. For the only-draft-an-offensive-linemen-crowd: Brandon Scherff remains the first tackle off the board, still going ninth overall to the New York Giants. Neither Kiper nor McShay has slotted him any higher. Haven't studied him yet, but will do so soon. However if his future is at guard, as some predict, he's simply not someone you take at No. 5.

          5. For those wanting help in the secondary: No corner projects to the top 10 right now (according to analysts). And the top safety, Landon Collins, continues to be projected outside the top 15. In fact, Kiper had him lasting until 22 to Pittsburgh. That's quite a fall; in his first mock, Kiper had the Chicago Bears at No. 7 selecting him. Collins is a good player.

          6. Kiper's mock included five defensive linemen/edge rushers in the top 10. That's good news for Washington, which needs help up front defensively. It's also going to be a heavy draft for receivers, starting with Amari Cooper, whom Kiper had at No. 4 to the Oakland Raiders. The Redskins need more receiving depth -- and things would change if something happens with Pierre Garcon because of the cap. They don't need to draft someone this high if they don't want, but it is a talented class.