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2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock for All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State scarlet team cornerback Eli Apple (13) celebrates his squad’s first-quarter touchdown during the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium. The scarlet team won the game 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State scarlet team cornerback Eli Apple (13) celebrates his squad’s first-quarter touchdown during the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium. The scarlet team won the game 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 21: Washington Redskins

2015 Record: 9-7

The Pick: CB Eli Apple, Clemson

Quarterback Kirk Cousins has seemed to find a nice niche within the Washington Redskins offense, and while general manager Scott McCloughan may look to add some weapons around him, the primary focus should be on the defensive side of the ball.

Washington finished 2015 with the league’s 17th-ranked defense and allowed 379 points over the course of the season. The secondary was of particular concern with the Redskins giving up 4,128 yards through the air — 25th in the NFL.

Pairing someone with cornerback Bashaud Breeland should be towards the top of Washington’s to-do list during the draft. And Clemson cornerback Eli Apple would be a nice addition.

The 6’1″, 200-pound Apple has excellent coverage skills and good instincts — traits the Redskins will need to ensure the rest of the lowly NFC East doesn’t catch up with them in 2016.

Next: No. 22: Houston Texans