Here are some quotes from host Julie Donaldson and analyst Logan Paulsen while Washington was on the clock during Friday’s second round of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas.
Paulsen: “I think you want to go best defensive player available. I think the Buffalo Nickel spot is still up for grabs. Jaquan Brisker, a hard-hitting safety out of Penn State, they love him in this building, he will be available.
“The question is, Is he more valuable to this team than a guy like Nakobe Dean, who is your true Mike linebacker? He is a little undersized but in terms of his intellect and the guy who can wear the green dot and get people lined up. He can help Jamin and Cole be the best versions of themselves. Intellectually he is the guy that can get that done.”
Donaldson: “Who do you like of the names that are still available for Washington to take here? We are on the clock, waiting for the pick.”
Paulsen: “I think the guy that jumps out to me is Brisker, the Penn State safety. He plays with tremendous physicality. He is like the embodiment of the Buffalo Nickel position. He can cover, is taller than you think at 6-foot-2, and has great length. They value that here in this building. He seems like the right fit. He does not seem like a reach. He fits a need for this team, and Ron is always talking about the right fit and how important that is in the evaluation process.”
“There are still some great defensive lineman on the board at this point. Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), who dominated the Senior Bowl this year, (is) really a dynamic player. They need D-line rotation and maybe he is the best guy on their board at this point.”
Donaldson: The NFL Network just showed there is some cheering in the Washington draft room. Julie then mentioned Santana Moss was walking to the podium to make the pick. Paulsen turned and asked, “When are they going to get you to do it, Julie?” Julie responded, “I think I need to put in a few more years before I could be considered a legend of any sort.”
Donaldson: “There you go, it is from Alabama.
Paulsen interjects, “Oh yes, Mathis. Awesome. Love that guy!”
“Mathis is a solid, consistent interior defensive lineman that played at Alabama. He is more of a traditional run-stopping player with some dynamic athleticism when you need it. I love the pick. I think it fills out a need with this team for defensive line rotational depth. He has the right mindset to supplement the guys that are already here. He is a piece you can build around, so I think it is fantastic.”