Discussing his draft philosophy while at the Senior Bowl, Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan said the Redskins will look into every single player and position for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is firm in his belief of building a football team through the draft.
McCloughan reiterated this last week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., stating that the Redskins will not be "big players" in free agency, instead focusing on a foundation that will feature players drafted by the organization.
"I think the draft is the lifeline for the organization going forward, and being consistent you have to add youth each year, but not just youth, football players," McCloughan said. "I know I keep reiterating on it but high-character football players; that are tough guys. That understands that it's about the sum of parts not the individual."
During his first offseason as the Redskins general manager, McCloughan drafted a total of 10 players after starting the draft with just seven picks.
He executed two draft day trades to get the Redskins to 10 picks, while also securing an additional sixth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints.
If possible, McCloughan would like to take a similar approach this season in collecting more picks.
"The more the merrier," McCloughan said. "Give me 15 if I can have them. Yeah, I want more than less definitely, definitely."
McCloughan's first pick with the Redskins was Iowa guard Brandon Scherff, who was widely regarded from the start of the draft process as the best offensive lineman in the 2015 class, at No. 5 overall.
Scherff would play all but one offensive snap during his rookie season, earning Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team honors.
But it wasn't just Scherff who excelled in his first NFL season.
Second-round pick Preston Smith led all rookies in sacks with eight, fourth-round pick Jamison Crowder set the Redskins' franchise record for rookie receptions and defensive back Kyshoen Jarrett was a useful resource in the secondary, playing anywhere from safety to nickel corner.
While the Redskins' will be selecting later in the draft this season as a result of winning the NFC East and earning a playoff appearance, McCloughan believes there will still be great talent at No. 21 "no matter what."
"Like I said last year, in every round we pick there's going to be a good football player," McCloughan said. "That's the way the draft works, that's what you make of it. But it's not saying we would never move. I can't see us ever going up but maybe going back. But I feel very confident that at 21, we'll get a good football player, a really good football player come in his first year and help us."
McCloughan attended the East-West Shrine Game in Tampa, Fla., two weeks ago and the Senior Bowl last week, scouting every single talent at every position.
"I'm looking for the best football players. It would be nice to have everything locked in place going forward but we don't, and no team really does completely," McCloughan said. "So it's always about building, no matter what."
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