The Redskins entered and finished the 2017 draft with 10 draft picks – making one trade in the process – and finishing with what the organization believes is a strong crop of talent all across the boar, starting with first-round pick Jonathan Allen.
That's what a lot of draft analysts believe, too. As is inevitable, they handed out their grades for each team once all the draft picks had been made – an eager attempt to put the weekend in perspective. Though no football has been played yet, it's an opportunity to see how these grades hold up throughout the rest of the season.
The Redskins sure hope they do. Here's how many believe the Redskins fared in this year's draft.
Grade A-minus
"Washington got some of the highest scores this year after landing Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in the first round. That's not the only reason why Washington's report card is peppered with A's. Running back Samaje Perine, a fourth-round pick, was well-liked."
Grade: A-minus
"DL Jonathan Allen (17th pick) had shoulder problems at Alabama, and CB Fabian Moreau (81st) is coming off a pro day pectoral tear, but both are tremendous value picks at positions of need for this defense. Second rounder Ryan Anderson may just take suspended OLB Trent Murphy's job. And don't be the least bit surprised if fourth-round RB Samaje Perine emerges from training camp as the starter."
Grade: B-Plus
"The Redskins finished 28th in total defense last season and the Alabama duo of Allen and Anderson will be tasked with improving that immediately. Some reported concern of shoulder issues saw Allen fall to No. 17, but he certainly looked like a top-10 player for the Crimson Tide last fall. There's a good chance Perine will be the starter after a mediocre Washington rushing attack disappointed a year ago. If he's able to have early success, it should take some of the pressure off Trent Williams."
Grade: A
"Overall, Washington used its collective brain to put together one of the better drafts of the weekend. Allen was a complete steal in the first round. Anderson, Moreau, Perine and Sprinkle can all make an impact as rookies. Nicholson and Holsey make the secondary deeper and more competitive. Roullier and Davis do the same on offense. Washington may not have won in free agency, but the Redskins organization had one of its better drafts in a very long time."
Grade: N/A
"Now, there's no guarantee that any of these players, from Allen right on down the line, will live up to expectations. And the 2017 draft didn't solve all of Washington's problems. There's still the matter of Cousins' long-term contract status, and even with the addition of Terrelle Pryor in free agency, it remains to be seen what impact losing Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson will have on the receiving corps.
"But the Redskins look to have made big strides in the front seven (their most glaring need) and secondary while shoring up an iffy backfield—all while getting a couple of significant values along the way."
