The 2021 NFL Draft was never going to be a make-or-break event for the Washington Football Team.

Ranked in the top five in the league in salary cap space at the start of the offseason, Washington addressed its major offseason needs (QB, WR, CB) in free agency. Despite the rumors, the Football Team did not trade up to draft a quarterback and instead remained steadfast in Ryan Fitzpatrick. The question of who will play under center for Washington long-term remains unanswered, but in the meantime, the Football Team added depth. There were no head-turning selections by Washington in the 2021 NFL Draft but there was never supposed to be.

The Washington Football Team’s draft haul, highlighted by first-round selection Jamin Davis out of Kentucky, was consistent with Ron Rivera’s offseason approach. In the 10 draft selections, the Football Team gained complementary players who fit Rivera’s vision both on and off the football field.

Let’s take a closer look at each player selected:

Round 1, Pick No. 19: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

The Football Team’s defense was already one of the best in the league heading into the draft but it got stronger with this first-round selection. Washington was looking to add versatility and speed at this position and it got both in Davis, who can cover and play inside. The main concern with Davis is his lack of experience. He played 36 games in college, but started only 11. His final collegiate season was strong though as he recorded 144 tackles, four tackles for loss and three interceptions. With his wide length and pass-catching background, Davis has the potential to make an immediate impact in Washington.

Round 2, Pick No. 51: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

In the second round, the Football Team addressed perhaps their biggest need heading into the draft: offensive tackle. Left tackle specifically has been a glaring hole in Washington since it traded Pro Bowler Trent Williams one year ago. With Morgan Moses on the right side, Cosmi has the potential to step in right away on the left.

Cosmi started eight games in 2020 before opting out. Up until that point, he had started 34 straight games for the Longhorns over three seasons. Though he lacks overwhelming size, he has the intelligence to position himself well to protect the quarterback. Cosmi was also voted a team captain in 2020. He will join Moses, newly-acquired Ereck Flowers, Chase Roullier and Brandon Scherff to add more depth to an increasingly strong offensive line.

Round 3, Pick No. 74: Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota (from 49ers)

This pick was perhaps the biggest stretch for Washington in the draft as St-Juste was projected to go later. St-Juste began his college career at Michigan before transferring to Minnesota, where he started just 14 games over the past two seasons after missing the 2018 season due to injury. It will fall on the Washington coaching staff to develop St-Juste, who will turn 24 years old in September. After adding William Jackson III in free agency though, starting cornerback is not a pressing need for the Football Team.

Round 3, Pick No. 82: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina

Meanwhile in Brown, the Football Team got a high-value pick who will fill out Washington’s receiving corps of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries. At 6-foot-1, 189 pounds, Brown was highly productive at North Carolina where he recorded 123 catches for 2,306 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also demonstrated the ability to make plays downfield, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. Brown needs to work on eliminating some easy drops but he has the potential to be a threat in the NFL.

Round 4, Pick No. 124: John Bates, TE, Boise State

Washington needed depth at the tight end position to complement Logan Thomas and it added some at the start of the third day, though Bates was projected to be selected in the later rounds. Bates has speed, especially down the seams, that should help Washington. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, he also has the size to develop into a quality blocker. Bates will complement Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown nicely while also adding some immediate help on special teams.

Round 5, Pick No. 163: Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati

Forrest made his mark on defense and special teams over his last two seasons at Cincinnati. He combined for 146 tackles, five interceptions and one touchdown pass allowed. As a former team captain, Forrest also has the leadership skills that Washington is looking for in its players. Forrest might not be able to fill the Football Team’s need for a starting free safety, but he does have the potential to make an impact on special teams.

Round 6, Pick No. 225: Camaron Cheeseman, LS, Michigan

The Football Team entered the draft needing to replace veteran long snapper Nick Sundberg and it did so in Cheeseman. The former Wolverine is considered one of the best in the country at the position due to his consistency. He opted out last season due to the pandemic.

Round 7, Pick No. 240: William Bradley-King, EDGE, Baylor

Washington kicked off the seventh and final round of the draft by selecting its first of two edge rushers: William Bradley-King. He was a grad transfer from Arkansas who made eight starts and tied for the team high with 3.5 sacks last season at Baylor. Bradkey-King will be part of a growing arsenal of young pass-rushers that the Football Team hopes to develop into capable backups behind Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

Round 7, Pick No. 246: Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State

The second edge player selected in the seventh round by the Football Team was Shaka Toney. He finished eighth on Penn State’s all-time sack list with 20.5 and also matched its single-game sack record with four. Toney projects as a potential situational pass rusher in sub packages. He will add more depth to Washington’s edge rushing corps while also potentially providing some help on special teams.

Round 7, Pick No. 258: Dax Milne, WR, BYU (from Chiefs through Dolphins)

Washington added its final pick in the draft in the trade for Ereck Flowers last week. Milne led Zach Wilson’s Cougars in receiving last season with 70 catches for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns. The Football Team now has a lot of depth in the receiving corps so Milne’s special teams play will likely determine whether he makes the team.