With defensive line prospects talking to the media on Saturday, six different top linemen said they've either already met with the Redskins in Indianapolis or will do so soon.
While the NFL Combine provides front office personnel official height and weight measurements along with a look at how they perform in event-exclusive drills, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said his "ultimate goal" during the week is the interview process.
"That's my favorite part of it," Gruden said. "The workouts, we get on tape and all that stuff. It's good to see them run around a little bit and compete with one another. My favorite part is the interviews."
Offensive players were the first to talk to the media this week, sharing information on various teams they've met with – both formally and informally.
The Redskins met with running backs Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey along with wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and John Ross among others.
On Saturday, several high profile defensive linemen also said they've either spoken with the Redskins or are going to before the NFL Combine concludes. Among them are Alabama's Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson, Auburn's Montravius Adams, Florida's Caleb Brantley, Stanford's Solomon Thomas and Michigan State's Malik McDowell.
Chris Wormley of Michigan also said he spoke with the Redskins during January's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Of the five defensive linemen that announced they've been in contact with the Redskins, Allen is the the one projected to be picked first.
The Leesburg, Va., native has long been considered the No. 2-overall pick this year in various mock drafts among major outlets.
Check out these photos of Stanford defensive end, Solomon Thomas.
In four seasons for the Crimson Tide, Allen collected 152 tackles along with 28 sacks, six passes defensed, three fumbles forced, three fumbles recovered and a touchdown.
Tomlinson, meanwhile, could be an intriguing option potentially past the first round. He could be a strong run stopper at the NFL level at 6-foot-3 and more than 300 pounds.
"They told me I was a great run stopper and I have great technique on playing the run," Tomlinson said at the Senior Bowl about feedback he was receiving. "There are some kinks and things I need to work also. There always some kinks and stuff I need to work on. They say that I collapse the pocket pretty well and I didn't know they thought that but they told me I collapse the pocket pretty well. There are also things I can work on and have room for improvement each and every day when you go on the field. I just take that as a learning block and just keep improving to pick up every little trinket or nugget they give you."
As for Adams, he also talked with the Redskins at the Senior Bowl and said the meeting went "great."
During his time with the Tigers, Adams appeared in 52 games, collecting 151 tackles along with 11 sacks, three fumbles forced, three fumbles recovered and two interceptions.
McDowell could be an intriguing option for the Redskins with the 17th-overall pick, as the 6-foot-6, 279 pounder has experience both inside and outside along the defensive line.
Finally, Thomas jumped high into mock drafts following a junior season in which he earned third-team All-American honors by registering 62 tackles (15 tackles for loss) along with eight sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovered.
