Bye Week Mailbag
December 11, 2024
By Noonefromtampa
It’s the bye week, so it’s time for the annual “pull a question” from the fictitious Hog Sty mailbag post. With the release of Emmanuel Forbes, people have questioned who should have the team drafted instead of the players drafted by Ron Rivera in the drafts from 2020 to 2023. We will try and answer that question in this column. The rules are top 3 picks for each year are included and nobody drafted by Rivera can be re-drafted for purposes of this discussion.
2020
This was the new staff’s first draft, and they already lost their second-round pick to the Colts for drafting Montez Sweat in 2019. Sweat was the player Washington really wanted when owner Dan Snyder decided that Dwyane Haskins was the first round pick he wanted, so they traded back up to get him.
Round 1
Original pick – Chase Young
New Pick – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Even with having Haskins the year before, Herbert is the real answer for Washington’s perennial quarterback problem. Herbert was the rookie offensive player of the year, and his yearly averages are 66.2% completion rate, 4,543 yards, 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Round 3
Original Pick – Antonio Gibson
New Pick – Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State
With a new quarterback taken in round 1, it is time to improve the offensive line to protect him. Jackson has been a full-time starter at right guard since being drafted by Detroit and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. He signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Rams in 2024.
Round 4
Original Pick – Saahdiq Charles
New Pick – Gabe Davis, WR, UCF
The new quarterback needs some weapons, so in this round Davis is proven receiver who has averaged 42 receptions, 682 yards, a 16.2 yard per catch average with 7 touchdowns per year. Davis signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Jaguars in 2024.
2021
Round 1
Original Pick – Jamin Davis
New Pick – Christian Darrisaw, T, Virginia Tech
In Darrisaw, the team gets its franchise left tackle to protect Herbert’s blindside. Darrisaw has started 46 of 48 games in his career.
Round 2
Original Pick – Sam Cosmi
New Pick – Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Cosmi has been one of the few bright spots from the prior regime and earned a second contract with team. However, for this discussion we must pick a different player. One player considered was Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame who has been good with the Browns. Humphrey offers another chance to upgrade the offensive line and is an excellent center.
Round 3
Original Pick – Dyami Brown
New Pick – Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Collins has had the type of career that Washington fans hoped for Brown. So far, Collins has racked up 199 receptions for 3,056 yards (15.4 yards per catch) with 15 touchdowns.
2022
This is the year we saw the Carson Wentz trade that cost the team two third round picks in 2022 and 2023. Since we drafted Herbert, we can unwind that trade also.
Round 1
Original Pick – Jahan Dotson
New Pick – Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, FSU
Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and has 10 sacks so far in his career with 21 quarterback hits. He is a more rounded player than Jamis Davis ever was.
Round 2
Original Pick – Phidarian Mathis
New Pick – Jaquan Brisker S Penn St
Brisker in his first two years had 11 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and over 200 combined tackles along with 5 sacks. He was injured in 2024 but is a solid safety.
Round 3
Original Pick – traded for Carson Wentz
New Pick – Rachaad White RB Arizona St
White is another weapon for offense. His annualized numbers are for rushing 190 carries for 714 yards and 3 touchdowns. For receiving, the numbers are 58 receptions for 431 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is an excellent choice for a third down or change of pace back.
2023
Round 1
Original Pick – Emmanuel Forbes
New Pick – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Gonzalez dealt with injuries in his rookie year, but he has been good when he is on the field. He is a solid NFL corner which is something that is doubtful about Forbes.
Round 2
Original Pick – Quan Martin
New Pick – Cody Mauch, G, North Dakota St
Drafting Brisker in 2022 fills the position that Martin currently has , so investing in another quality lineman is the choice year. Mauch has started every game for Tampa Bay since being drafted.
Round 3
Original Pick – traded for Carson Wentz
New Pick – YaYa Diaby, Edge Louisville
With this pick, we look to boost the pash rush by adding another rush player. Diaby had 38 combined tackles and 7.5 sacks in his rookie year.
Wrap-Up
Using gift of hindsight, it is easy to see how much different the results for the drafts under Rivera could have been. Like many people, I thought Young was going to be an impactful player, but injuries seemed to turn his career trajectory upside down.
Some of the players listed here are players that I voiced the opinion that Washington should drafted then, such as Darrisaw. At the end of the day, this re-draft would have left Washington with a franchise quarterback and a solid offensive line, along with several key people around whom a defense could have been built.