In his first mock draft of the year, NFL.com's Chad Reuter has the Redskins selecting cornerback Tre'Davious White with the No. 17-overall pick.
In what's normally been a position of need for the past few years in Washington, cornerback appears to be an area of strength entering the 2017 season.
With cornerbacks Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland assuming the top of the depth chart, and with Jonathan Allen and Quinton Dunbar embarking on their second and third years in the league, respectively, most NFL Draft projections have the team focusing on other areas within the defense.
Check out these photos of Louisiana State University cornerback, Tre'Davious White.
Of course, depth and youth at an often injury-riddled position should never be overlooked, likely the reason that NFL.com's Chad Reuter believes that the Redskins will take LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White with the 17th overall selection in this year's draft.
He offers just a brief bullet point for his reasoning ("White has earned high marks for his coverage ability"), which is based on a four-year career with the Tigers that has seen him emerge as one of the best college athletes in coverage.
After a subpar 2015, he bounced back in a big way. This past season, the 5-foot-11, 191 pounder was a first-team Walter Camp All-American and All-SEC selection. He made 19 tackles (an indication of quarterbacks hesitancy to throw towards him), including a half sack, and collected two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
He ended his four-year career with six interceptions, 34 pass deflections, and, as a punt returner for the last three years, he tallied 688 return yards and three touchdowns.
White has been praised for his exceptional footwork and for his patience in press coverage. Pro Football Focus also graded him the top collegiate cornerback in 2016 (90.5) for allowing completions on just 41.7 percent of his targets.
"He has the versatility to line up both in the slot and on the outside, which gives him another dimension that teams may be looking for come draft day," PFF's Steve Palazzolo wrote recently. "Before an injury ended his week early, White was having a strong showing at the Senior Bowl as his coverage skills were on display no matter where he lined up."
White, a native of Shreveport, La., wore the coveted No. 18 jersey in his final two seasons at LSU, given to a player that is synonymous with success both on and off the field.
He's missed only one game in his career, providing a reliable presence in the secondary since his freshman year, when he was named an All-SEC member.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, White has a strong burst and a willingness to play up on the line of scrimmage.
"Full-time starter for better part of four years and one of the premier mirror-and-match cornerbacks in the game. Has the feet, athleticism and instincts for prolonged coverage responsibilities and his twitch will always have him near the throw. Best suited for all forms of man coverage. Should compete as special teams performer. Lacks run-support physicality to be an every-down corner, but he's talented enough to challenge for slot duties right away."
