The NFL Draft is just over a month away, and the Washington Football Team is still searching for its quarterback of the future.
Washington began its offseason by re-signing Taylor Heinicke to a two-year extension, and is expected to release 36-year-old Alex Smith in the coming days. Many believe the Football Team will also bring back Kyle Allen, who is an exclusive rights free agent, at some point, too. Exploring any and all options at the position, Washington has been linked to numerous other QBs this offseason, including Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr and, most recently, Marcus Mariota (but, strangely, not Deshaun Watson).
But, ESPN daft expert Mel Kiper believes Washington can find an answer in the second round.
Speaking on a conference call with reporters, Kiper mentioned Washington among the teams that could use their second-round pick on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, a Heisman Trophy finalist from last season.
“I'm thinking second round for Kyle Trask,” Kiper said. “I think Washington would be another team [interested]…I would say more Pittsburgh and more Washington would be possibilities for Kyle Trask when you get into that second-round mix.”
The Steelers and Bears were also named as potential suitors when Kiper discussed Trask, a former low-level recruit that didn’t become the Gators starter until three games into his junior season in 2019. But Trask quickly found his footing and put together a dominant season for the Gators in 2020, and his draft stock has risen significantly since before his senior campaign started.
“He came a long way during his career to get to the point where you're talking about a second-round pick," Kiper said. "It's pretty amazing from where he was to where he is right now."
Kiper expressed concern about Trask’s mobility, something Washington fans were familiar with last year in Smith, but he likes the 22-year-old’s accuracy in the pocket, which he flashed in the form of a school-record 43 touchdown passes last season. Kiper’s only question would be how much of Trask’s success was a product of his surroundings.
"Obviously, having Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney gave him two great weapons,” Kiper said. “They're two elite players, both going to be excellent professional players. He had talent around him. He had backs that could catch the ball out of the backfield...He doesn't in the way of mobility in terms of putting pressure on his offensive line."
Still, Trask would have been considered a long shot to be on Washington’s radar for a second round pick a year ago, but after a record-breaking season, he could be an option should Washington elect not to trade up in the first round.
“He came a long way in terms of what he was able to do during his career to get to the point where you’re talking about a second-round pick,” Kiper said. “It’s pretty amazing, from where he was to where he is right now.