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NFL Draft: Early Look at 32-Team Round 1 Mock for 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) avoids a tackle by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Gump Hayes (right) for a touchdown during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) avoids a tackle by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Gump Hayes (right) for a touchdown during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The gut feeling tells me the Washington Redskins would focus on defense early and often throughout the NFL Draft, which negates a pick of USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a large extent.

Hear me out though. Washington’s top two receivers — Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are both 30 years old. And Garcon will be a free agent after this season.

While bringing Garcon back is a real possibility, it’s hard to ignore general manager Scot McCloughan trying to get younger at this position.

Smith-Schuster is the top wideout coming out in this NFL Draft. And McCloughan has already shown a knack for finding defensive gems in later rounds.