12-30-2019, 03:44 AM
Hogs Haven takes a look at 2019 NFL Draft prospects who could contribute to the Redskins"Drew Lewis Womens Dwayne Haskins Jersey , LBSchool: Colorado | Conference: PAC 12College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 23Height / Weight: 6-2 / 229 lbsProjected Draft Status: 6th or 7th RoundNFL Comparison: Tanner VallejoCollege StatisticsPlayer OverviewDrew Lewis was a 3-star recruit who originally committed to Washington. He has some NFL bloodlines. His dad is Will Lewis who played corner in the NFL and USFL in the early 80s. He was also the Director of Pro Personnel for several NFL teams including the Packers, Seahawks, and Chiefs. His uncle is Tim Lewis who also played in the NFL in the 80’s. Drew was given a redshirt in 2014 when he arrived at Washington. It was his first time away from home and his family and he begun hanging out with the wrong people and his grades started to slip. Something wasn’t connecting with him and the coaching staff. He was dismissed from the Huskies in 2015 and he enrolled in Coffeyville Community College where he played that year. Lewis got a second chance when he was able to enroll at Colorado. He started off on special teams his first year in Boulder before he had a breakout RS junior year and was one of the most production linebackers in the PAC 12. Lewis’ tackle production tapered off this past season as he was asked to fill more of a coverage role but he proved himself very capable in that area. At the next level he will be asked to play special teams again but he may be seen as sort of a diamond in the rough by some staffs. He has the upside to develop into a solid contributor at the next level.StrengthsConsidered a freak athlete at the position. He confirmed that at his Pro Day showing that he has the speed, explosion, agility, and athleticism that so many NFL teams covet at the position. Flashes of his potential can be seen on tape.When asked to work downhill and create pressure knows how to pursue and take good angles. He can close quickly in the backfield forcing QBs to hurry up. Technique getting off blocks leaves a lot to be desired but he can bang and fight his way through the opposition with brute force and find a way to the ball.Looks good as a coverage defender. He moves well in space and shows good awareness and react ability in coverage. Measured movement gained depth can fool opposing QBs who underestimate his recovery speed. He can turn and run with his opponents and adjust his body to make plays on the ball. Athletic ability allows him stick with almost anyone. Might have just learned a thing or two from his dad and uncle.When asked to attack and play the run tackling ability looks fine. WeaknessesInstincts and read and react ability are a really tough evaluation. He was used in a much different way in 2017 than in 2018. This past year he seemed a step hesitant and out of position because of his coverage responsibilities. Was asked to play outside linebacker but he isn’t. Doesn’t have the technique, counters, or size to stay outside full time. Will be 24 in September but really only has 2 years of starting experience in D1 ball. Some weaknesses you could attribute to inexperience but the ‘football biological clock’ ticks against him.Leadership is important at the position and I’m not sure he has it. I couldn’t find any outright praise couple that with his past issue at Washington and teams will want to make sure he’s actually grown up. Undersized for the position.Let’s see his work:More Drew Lewis videosHow He Would Fit On The RedskinsThis draft class is a rarity in that is has so many great athletes as the linebacker position that can be found in both the mid and late rounds. Lewis obviously has some nice tools to work with as a developmental prospect. I’m not sure what happened at Colorado that lead to his responsibilities being shifted to more of a coverage guy. I recommend you watch him in 2017 to get a sense of what I’m saying. While he’s shown he can handle the work there its made for a really tough evaluation and analysis for his fit not only at the position but his ability to improve. Teams will have to go back and compare the two different styles and their results to figure out how they really want to use him. As far as the Redskins go they need to keep adding depth and athleticism at the linebacker position. I like what I saw from Lewis when he attacks downfield but there is no secret he has a long way to go before getting on the field. Aside from special teams contributions I can see him on the field as a coverage defender on passing downs. But I also think he has the tools to become an adequate player in run defense. Lewis has a lot of questions surrounding him and a team will probably be willing to spend a pick on him late to see just what they are getting. It wouldn’t hurt the Redskins to take a closer look in the later rounds. Josh Norman thinks is helping make Washington better.Which is more than former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot thinks Norman is doing.Smoot told NBCSportsWashington.com that Norman wasn’t close to living up to his contract Dwayne Haskins Jersey White , suggesting they part ways with him now instead of next offseason.“You have to ask yourself, ‘Where am I expendable?'” Smoot said. “I’m going to look at that big cap number that Josh Norman has and that’s going to make me want to release him.”After Gettleman pulled the franchise tag from Norman in Carolina in 2016, Washington quickly gave Norman a game-changing five-year, $75 million deal. While he’s been good, he hasn’t been great, and Smoot thinks the $11 million Norman is due this year is too much.“You wouldn’t go to a used car lot and try to pay new car prices, would you?” Smoot said. “At the end of the day, for what we pay for this guy Wes Martin Jersey , we’re not getting that return on that investment. I’m sorry, we paid too much for the car, it’s time we trade it back in.”Of course, cutting him now might save some cap room, but it would leave them lacking at the position at a time when there aren’t replacements to be found in free agency or the draft. And it would create another unexpected market for Norman, who would quickly find another home.