Scot McCloughan made a statement with his first draft pick as general manager of the Washington Redskins. Success on offense begins up front, McCloughan insisted. That’s why he used the fifth overall pick to take offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, passing both on defensive lineman Leonard Williams, whom some regarded as the top all-around prospect in the draft, and outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who ranked among the top pass rushers in the draft.
McCloughan didn’t care that his first selection didn’t fall into the flashy category. Scherff, McCloughan, coach Jay Gruden and offensive line coach Bill Callahan all agreed, had the makings of a franchise cornerstone.