The NFL Draft is just over a month away, and the Washington Football Team is still searching for its future quarterback.
Taylor Heinicke is returning on a two-year deal with a chance to be the starter, Kyle Allen is recovering from injury and will likely return, Alex Smith will soon be released, and Dwayne Haskins... well let's just say there is no clear long-term prospect to lead the franchise on the roster. And with Washington picking at 19th overall in the draft, the high-profile quarterbacks projected to be 1st round picks – like Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields – will already be off the board.
But ESPN’s 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 select Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, a Heisman Trophy finalist from last season.
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“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.
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"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.
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