Redskins tab Dwayne Haskins as QB of future

The Washington Redskins selected quarterback Dwayne Haskins out of Ohio State with the 15th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Redskins reportedly had been targeting Haskins and apparently considered jumping up to snag the coveted passer.

Haskins enters an uncertain quarterback situation in Washington after Alex Smith suffered a career-threatening leg injury, which is expected to sideline him for at least the 2019 campaign.

The Redskins acquired Case Keenum from the Denver Broncos to compete with Colt McCoy, who's also working back from a leg injury. Neither McCoy or Keenum is signed beyond this season.

Washington's last first-round quarterback, Robert Griffin III, called for the fan base to 'give the kid time to prove himself' immediately after the pick on Twitter.

Haskins, 21, set Big Ten records in his lone season as the Buckeyes' starter, throwing for 4,381 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Prospect profile

School: Ohio State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 231 lbs

Strengths

• Big arm and has the ability to drive the ball to all levels of the field
• Lightning quick release
• Flashes touch to drop the ball in over the top of an underneath defender
• Can deliver passes on target from different arm angles
• Extremely proficient at going through progressions from the pocket
• Good movement within the pocket and maintains eye level
• Not shy about pushing the ball down the field

Weaknesses

• Touch needs to show up with short passes
• Has a tendency to sail throws while trying to drive them downfield
• Bails out of stride, leading to some inconsistent ball placement
• No mobility to break the pocket and avoid pressure
• Only one year as a starter

Bottom line

Haskins is far and away the most advanced quarterback in terms of process. After just one year of starting experience at Ohio State, he makes the jump to the NFL already capable of working through progressions from the pocket like a seasoned professional. Combining that ability with his impressive arm talent and ability to make big-time throws to all levels of the field gives him a high ceiling. He can be inconsistent with his accuracy and ball placement, but the hope will be that some minor mechanical improvements can clean things up. Haskins' mental aptitude should make him a starter early on in his NFL career, if not from Day 1, and he's got the upside of a perennial Pro Bowler.