The Redskins 2020 draft class

Thank you. There might just be hope for this place yet.

Hey, I resemble that remark...

With the picks we had, I gave the draft a B.

Loved the Young, Gibson, AGG, & Charles picks. AGG in particular has huge upside & I could see him starting opposite Terry.

Got back a 3rd & a 5th for TW.

Still feel we need another CB, but we can adress that in FA (Amukamara, Ryan?) can’t fill all our needs in the draft.

Signing Moss as an UFA makes the draft a B+

A detailed look into how Ron Rivera and Kyle Smith researched, then decided on, Saahdiq Charles (https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/detailed-look-how-ron-rivera-and-kyle-smith-researched-then-decided-saahdiq-charles)

I'm really curious about Saahdiq Charles. Both Sheehan (https://art19.com/shows/cooley-and-kevin/episodes/d9db10f7-4b05-45b4-a272-5ff7f3f11b68) and JP Finlay's hosts (https://art19.com/shows/redskin-talk/episodes/1226aa7b-0d3e-45e4-a0a6-626e6c771623)were quite high on him.
But when I watch highlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZwMG_QjgIs) I'm not that impressed, his hand technique looks stiff and slow to me...

BUT, I've proven I'm NOT an expert on line play, so I'd like to know what you guys like when you watch tape on him.

Last year we were all very impressed by Wes Martin's tape, so was I, and while he still has time to progress (and showed signs of improvement late in the season), he didn't play to the level some of us were expecting.

Most experts I've heard think he could start this year, do you guys have insight on why that is ?

I'm really curious about Saahdiq Charles. Both Sheehan (https://art19.com/shows/cooley-and-kevin/episodes/d9db10f7-4b05-45b4-a272-5ff7f3f11b68) and JP Finlay's hosts (https://art19.com/shows/redskin-talk/episodes/1226aa7b-0d3e-45e4-a0a6-626e6c771623)were quite high on him.
But when I watch highlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZwMG_QjgIs) I'm not that impressed, his hand technique looks stiff and slow to me...

BUT, I've proven I'm NOT an expert on line play, so I'd like to know what you guys like when you watch tape on him.

Last year we were all very impressed by Wes Martin's tape, so was I, and while he still has time to progress (and showed signs of improvement late in the season), he didn't play to the level some of us were expecting.

Most experts I've heard think he could start this year, do you guys have insight on why that is ?

I am no expert but I suspect that hand speed is easier to coach up than foot speed, he has the athleticism and experience against top college defences, after all he was blocking the blindside for Burrow last year.

I actually thought that Martin was better than I expected last year and hope he is pushing to start at LG this year

I watched a scouting video where the scout mentioned that Charles needed to improve his hand technique and his punch. On the other hand, the scout was impressed by his athleticism and his ability to mirror the pass rusher. The scout also said that he is definitely a Left Tackle who should be able to start soon. Worst case: He could move to OG.

Now for the ignoramus observations: I was impressed by his spirit and hustle. He looks like a player who loves to play football. He is a determined run blocker who hustles downfield looking for more people to block.

I was also impressed to hear from Coach how much work the Skins did to check him out as a person. I think he could be a steal.

Some takeaways on Charles from this article on The Athletic

What the Redskins are getting in LSU left tackle Saahdiq Charles (https://theathletic.com/1775407/2020/04/26/what-the-redskins-are-getting-in-lsu-left-tackle-saahdiq-charles/)

- The immediate standout trait for Charles is his athleticism. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 321 pounds, but is very light on his feet. He doesn’t quite have Williams’ elite athleticism, but he’s more than capable of eating up ground, working out in space, and reaching landmarks other tackles can’t.

- In the run game, this athletic ability translates directly to zone blocking schemes. Charles is a capable zone blocker with the ability to climb up to the second level comfortably to reach linebackers or use his athleticism to run defenders out of the play.

- As a pass protector, Charles’ athleticism is advantageous, as he has great foot quickness. That allows him to match speed rushers off the edge and cut them off, but also allows him to change direction quickly.

- Having quick and natural feet is a huge plus for a left tackle and something that can’t really be taught. However, Charles isn’t a flawless prospect. He needs work on his technique, particularly with his hands. In general, his hands are often too high and wide when pass protecting.

- Outside of hand placement, Charles’ main flaw is his playing strength. He’s very athletic and light on his feet, which is beneficial in plenty of aspects, but it means he doesn’t exactly pack a punch when it comes to impact blocks.

- Overall, Charles is a promising talent with the ability to develop into a solid starter with some work on a few correctable flaws. He has some nice tools that can’t be taught, like his natural athletic ability and very good feet that allow him to cut off speed rushers and mirror other rushers as they work through multiple moves. The ability to get out on screens and block in space shouldn’t be underestimated either, with the likes of Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims and third-round pick Antonio Gibson all significant threats in the screen game. However, he does need some technical work and fine-tuning before he’s ready to start. His hand placement, particularly his outside hand, needs to be better, and he would benefit from adding more strength from a professional strength and conditioning program that he’ll receive in the NFL.

I am no expert but I suspect that hand speed is easier to coach up than foot speed, he has the athleticism and experience against top college defences, after all he was blocking the blindside for Burrow last year.

I actually thought that Martin was better than I expected last year and hope he is pushing to start at LG this year

I watched a scouting video where the scout mentioned that Charles needed to improve his hand technique and his punch. On the other hand, the scout was impressed by his athleticism and his ability to mirror the pass rusher. The scout also said that he is definitely a Left Tackle who should be able to start soon. Worst case: He could move to OG.

Now for the ignoramus observations: I was impressed by his spirit and hustle. He looks like a player who loves to play football. He is a determined run blocker who hustles downfield looking for more people to block.

I was also impressed to hear from Coach how much work the Skins did to check him out as a person. I think he could be a steal.


Some takeaways on Charles from this article on The Athletic

What the Redskins are getting in LSU left tackle Saahdiq Charles (https://theathletic.com/1775407/2020/04/26/what-the-redskins-are-getting-in-lsu-left-tackle-saahdiq-charles/)

- The immediate standout trait for Charles is his athleticism. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 321 pounds, but is very light on his feet. He doesn’t quite have Williams’ elite athleticism, but he’s more than capable of eating up ground, working out in space, and reaching landmarks other tackles can’t.

- In the run game, this athletic ability translates directly to zone blocking schemes. Charles is a capable zone blocker with the ability to climb up to the second level comfortably to reach linebackers or use his athleticism to run defenders out of the play.

- As a pass protector, Charles’ athleticism is advantageous, as he has great foot quickness. That allows him to match speed rushers off the edge and cut them off, but also allows him to change direction quickly.

- Having quick and natural feet is a huge plus for a left tackle and something that can’t really be taught. However, Charles isn’t a flawless prospect. He needs work on his technique, particularly with his hands. In general, his hands are often too high and wide when pass protecting.

- Outside of hand placement, Charles’ main flaw is his playing strength. He’s very athletic and light on his feet, which is beneficial in plenty of aspects, but it means he doesn’t exactly pack a punch when it comes to impact blocks.

- Overall, Charles is a promising talent with the ability to develop into a solid starter with some work on a few correctable flaws. He has some nice tools that can’t be taught, like his natural athletic ability and very good feet that allow him to cut off speed rushers and mirror other rushers as they work through multiple moves. The ability to get out on screens and block in space shouldn’t be underestimated either, with the likes of Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims and third-round pick Antonio Gibson all significant threats in the screen game. However, he does need some technical work and fine-tuning before he’s ready to start. His hand placement, particularly his outside hand, needs to be better, and he would benefit from adding more strength from a professional strength and conditioning program that he’ll receive in the NFL.

Thanks you guys, good insight, great read !

On a personal note I'm glad to see my football eyes improved a little bit, hand technique needed to improve is cited multiple times.
And as a Redskins fan I'm glad experts see a lot of potential in this young prospect at a critical position of need for us!

Excited about Charles - he may be a steal in the draft. A major issue were major personal problems - that’s why he sank so low. He’ll need close monitoring and mentoring, strength training and technique instruction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Charles got dominated by Bama but that isn't a huge surprise, they did that to almost everyone. He was pretty good every other game. I think he could be a starter come Sept.

Sheehan said something that I think is worth mentioning:

The Redskins signed the least amount of UDFA in the league (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/undrafted-free-agent-tracker-2020-rookie-signings-from-all-32-nfl-teams-in-one-spot-following-nfl-draft/), with 4... the second least being 7, most teams having signed 10/15 players, the Ravens leading the league with 22 UDFAs.

Not sure it's gonna mean anything come September... but I do think it's telling of a different approach. I think Rivera wants to evaluate this roster almost "as it is now".

Also may be according to his coach centered approach.