The Redskins drafted Josh Doctson in the first round in 2016. CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso sees Washington plucking another tall receiver with its 13th pick this year.*
Could the Redskins have more interest in drafting another wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft?
Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington has already been linked to Washington and now another wide receiver name is in the mix for the team's 13th pick: Courtland Sutton.
This hypothesis comes from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, who looks beyond the current quarterback mystery and believes that regardless of who is taking snaps, adding a dynamic wide receiver will help make this offense better – especially when added to the likes of Josh Doctson, Jordan Reed, Jamison Crowder and Chris Thompson.
"In this scenario the Redskins either re-sign Kirk Cousins or add a veteran in free agency," he writes. "Washington was at its best when it had one of the best pass-catching groups in football, and the duo of Sutton and Josh Doctson on the outside would be a nightmare for opposing secondaries."
Sutton just finished his junior year at Southern Methodist University, where he had a monster season catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns. In three years at SMU, Sutton collected 189 catches for 3,152 yards and 31 touchdowns.
One general manager told SportingNews that Sutton might be the most underrated player in the draft and that he could be the first receiver taken in April. The same GM mentioned how much he likes Sutton's ability to catch the ball away from his body, which accounts for better yards after catch.
The wide receiver, who announced he would forego his senior season to enter the draft, averaged 16.4 yards per catch in each of the last two seasons. He finished third on the Mustangs' all-time receiving list behind Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson.
"He has had success outside as well as in the slot," NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah said. "He understands how to set up routes and create leverage from the slot. Sutton has build-up speed on the outside and he generates a lot of explosive plays in this offense. He's very competitor and physical after the catch. He's also a feisty blocker. His production is outstanding."
Sutton, who was redshirted to start his college career, played in all 12 games of his freshman season where his prominence as a prospect was on display early, recording team highs in catches (49), yards (862, setting the freshman record) and touchdowns (9).
He committed to football full-time after playing on the basketball team in the second half of his freshman year. During his sophomore campaign, in which he led the team in the same three categories, he earned first-team all-conference honors, the first SMU receiver to do so since Cole Beasley in 2011.
The 6-foot-4, 214 pound receiver has also shown great leadership skills in his career. Last offseason, he represented his school at the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Indianapolis and also won SMU's Spirit Award, which honors students that have inspired others and epitomized the values of service and teamwork.
