With mock drafts picking up steam, SBNation's Dan Kadar's most recent update has the Redskins selecting Florida State safety Derwin James 13th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Could the Washington Redskins use theirfirst round selection in the NFL Draft on a safety for the first time in 11 years?
Dan Kadar of SBNation.com thinks so, as he currently has the Redskins selecting Florida State's Derwin James with the No. 13-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
"If Washington does manage to bring back Kirk] Cousins, adding talent on defense has to be a priority,” Kadar [writes. "James can do a number of different things on the defense. He can play inside linebacker, cover tight ends and running backs on pass plays, and blitz on occasion."
James recently entered the NFL Draft after completing his junior campaign with the Seminoles.
In three seasons at Florida State, the 6-foot-3, 215 pounder appeared in 27 games and recorded 186 tackles with three interceptions, two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered.
During the 2017 season, James was named a first-team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America and was named to the All-ACC first-team, as he recorded 84 tackles with 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.
Against Boston College on Oct. 27, James recorded a season-high 13 tackles. One week later, he nabbed an interception against Syracuse.
James entered his sophomore season with high expectations, as he was named a preseason All-American by numerous outlets. However, a torn meniscus suffered in September limited him to just two games.
As a freshman, James was an immediate impact player of the Seminoles, as he recorded 91 tackles with five passes defensed, 4.5 sacks, two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered. He finished his debut season recording a career-high 14 tackles against Houston in the Peach Bowl.
The Haines City, Fla., native was a third-team All-ACC selection along with Freshman All-American selections by The Sporting News, USA Today and CampusInsiders.com. Additionally, he was named Florida State's Defensive MVP.
If selected by the Redskins, James would join the likes of D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson among others at the safety position.
Washington has only picked two safeties in the first round of the NFL Draft, the first being Sean Taylor at No. 5-overall in 2004.
