With the second pick of the draft, the then Washington Redskins selected one of the best defensive prospects of the decade in pass rusher Chase Young. He lived up to the billing as a rookie, recording 7.5 sacks and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. The next season, after recording only 1.5 sacks in nine games, he tore his ACL in Week 10 and missed the rest of the year. He then missed most of the next season on the PUP list, but got his fifth-year option declined. He returned in 2023 and was looking decent with five sacks through seven games, but was traded to the 49ers for a third-round pick. What was a stellar start, turned into disappointment, but there’s still plenty of time for Young to be an All-Pro.
Washington was without a second round pick as part of a trade package to move back into the first round in 2019 to select Montez Sweat.
Antonio Gibson is a nice player, shining as a rookie and was the full-time starter his second season, recording 1,037 yards and 10 total touchdowns. The last two seasons his role really decreased with the arrival of Brian Robinson, who was set to be the lead back before a gunshot wound delayed his debut. Gibson’s role eventually transitioned to primary kick returner and third-down back and spelling Robinson. The former college receiver is still uber-talented and will be a nice addition to any backfield either as a lead guy or passing gadget player.
Saahdiq Charles was mainly a backup his first three seasons with eight career fill-in starts at guard, but was named the Week 1 starting left guard in 2023, starting 10 games while missing seven with a calf injury.
Antonio Gandy-Golden had a next to nothing NFL career with one catch before spending his second season on the practice squad and retiring the following offseason.
Keith Ismael filled in as the fourth-string center in 2021 for five games, but was later released and had stints with the 49ers and Cardinals.
Khaleke Hudson has been a primary special teamer his four seasons, but started eight games in 2023. James Smith-Williams has also been a steady player with seven career sacks, and even started 14 games in 2022 and seven in 2023.
The true star of this draft class, and I hate that I’m writing about him last, is starting safety Kamren Curl. The seventh-rounder started out as the team’s third safety, but quickly took over the starting role midseason and never let go. With 53 career starts over four seasons, Curl will get a big pay day this offseason as young safeties with plenty of starting experience are becoming a hot commodity.
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