With the fifth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected offensive lineman Brandon Scherff.
He may move inside and play guard at the next level, but it’s probable that the Redskins just landed a piece of their offensive line for the next 5 to 10 years. Given the climate along the line for the last 5-10 years, they have to start immediately.
The 6’5″, 320 pound leader from Iowa, is a great start. Alfred Morris might want to buddy up early, because this guy will pave roads for the running back, and likely as soon as 2015.
While there will be immediate postulation that number five was early for an offensive lineman, Scherff may just have been too much of both a want and a need at the same time. Ultimately, Scot McCloughan would have likely preferred to trade down a smidge and maybe still land the 2014 Outland Trophy winner, but the fate was sealed when the Titans took Marcus Mariota with the #2 pick. Trade suitors likely went the way of the Do Do bird after that.
So what did the Redskins get? Here is Scherff’s “Overview” from NFL.com Draft profile:
As a senior left tackle, Scherff won the Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman). Voted first-team All-Big Ten and named a Permanent Team Captain and Most Valuable Player at Iowa’s awards banquet. He has been a member of Iowa’s Leadership Group the last four years. In 2013, was named second-team All-America by the Football Writers Association (FWAA). He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches and was Iowa’s offensive Most Valuable Player. He started the first five games of the 2012 season, but suffered a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle in the first quarter of the Hawkeyes’ game against Penn State and missed the final five games of the season. Played 10 games at left guard in 2011. Loves the outdoors and has several videos of his weight-room exploits. Played offensive and defensive lineman during final two seasons at Denison (Iowa) High School after playing quarterback as a sophomore. Was four-year varsity letterman in baseball and earned all-state honors. Also played basketball, tennis and competed in track, winning state title in shot put as a sophomore.
Here’s the full profile at NFL.com.
Here’s some video.
There’s a new Scherff in town.
Hail to the Redskins.
There was that time the Redskins drafted Mark May in the first round and then traded a future first for a third round pick they used for Russ Grimm.
If this team only had a couple of “nobody” linemen like Jeff Bostic and Joe Jacoby!
HTTR!
Very few linemen around with any anonymity anymore though friend. Some think 5 is too high for Scherff, but given our needs, taking him a few picks high will seem inconsequential when he’s been an anchor on the OL for 5 years. 2 cents