With Week 10 of the NFL season approaching, quarterback Kyle Allen expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a gruesome ankle injury, and the team holding a 2-6 record, it's time for the Washington Football Team to start focusing on the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here are some names to remember for next April:
QB: Trey Lance, North Dakota State
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Lance dominated his competition, racking up 42 total touchdowns (28 passing, 14 rushing) and zero interceptions. While Lance's Bisons played just one game in 2020 due to the pandemic, his sky-high potential and athleticism (6'4", 227 lbs.) could sway the front office into seriously considering taking a swing at him as the next franchise QB in the nation's capital.
QB: Zach Wilson, BYU
The BYU star already has the blessing of Washington Football legend Joe Theismann, and the biggest breakout star in college football could be on his way to Washington if Ron Rivera opts for a signal-caller in the first round to replace Dwayne Haskins.
“He almost looks like he’s as quick as Kyler Murray,” Theismann told The Sports Junkies. “He’s 6-foot-3, runs very well, tremendous touch on the ball, wonderful pocket presence. And this isn’t just based on one game; this is like three games I’ve watched. I’m enamored with him, let’s put it that way.”
Zach Wilson brings an intriguing skillset as well as three years of tape on his record for Washington to take a look at. If Washington misses out on Trevor Lawrence, decides to trade down and pass on Trey Lance, and wants to go QB in Round 1, Wilson could be their man.
OT: Penei Sewell, Oregon
Penei Sewell is the best left tackle in the 2021 class and it's not close. The Oregon star is not expected to slip out of the top five, and that is assuming there is a run on quarterbacks with the top few picks. Sewell gives Washington the franchise left tackle they moved on from in Trent Williams. At 6'6" and 330 pounds, Sewell has ideal size and quickness to play the position at the game's highest level. NFL Network Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared the Oregon standout to current Titans' star Taylor Lewan, but with more power.
ILB: Micah Parsons, Penn State
Micah Parsons is the best all-around linebacker in college football, and had the Big Ten season not been delayed by the ongoing pandemic, he'd most likely be a top-five pick. Luckily for Washington, the Nittany Lions have struggled out of the gate this year and Parsons isn't being talked up as much as during the summer. At 6'3" and 245 lbs., Parsons led the Nittany Lions in tackles in 2019 (109, 14 behind the line of scrimmage), while also racking up five sacks, five pass breakups, and four forced fumbles. Washington hasn't had a reliable inside linebacker since London Fletcher and Parsons could be a foundational piece for the future.
CB: Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Farley opted out of the 2020 CFB season due to COVID-19 concerns and could be of interest to a Washington squad that lacks star power in the secondary. At 6'2" and having played his college ball down the road in Blacksburg, the Football Team has more likely than not been keeping an eye on Farley, and could add him into the equation with another fellow Hokie, Kendall Fuller.