The Washington Redskins haven't finished in the top half of the league defensively in either yards or points allowed since 2011. There's a reason they'll target defense -- wisely so -- with the 13th overall pick in the draft. They could trade the pick if a couple of players are gone; if that's the case, they might go in a different direction. But if they stay at 13, defense provides the best value.

Here's a look at what might happen with their first pick on defense:

Secondary. The Redskins could benefit from four quarterbacks being drafted in the top 10, allowing one player to fall to them at 13. Good luck figuring out who that might be. The Redskins don’t have a clue which player will fall, although Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James would be highly tempting at 13. Or what if a corner such as Denzel Ward happened to fall? There are two things a defense can never have enough of: pass rushers and corners.

Why a safety? Because both players do more than just play one spot. Fitzpatrick is considered smart and versatile, able to play corner and safety. James has similar versatility, though he’s more of an in-the-box safety with the ability to play linebacker in a nickel or dime role -- similar to what they hoped from Su’a Cravens. But James is more talented than Cravens. Both James and Fitzpatrick have drawn much praise for their football character, too. Most involved in the game anticipate both players going in the top 10, though one NFL defensive coach referred to Fitzpatrick as a jack of all trades and master of none; he wasn’t wowed by him. The Redskins, it sounds like, feel differently.

Even though the Redskins should be fine at safety this season with D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson, they don’t have anyone with the versatility of James or Fitzpatrick. So they could use three safeties many times, though it might not be known until the snap what someone like Fitzpatrick or James would be playing. That's an advantage.

“Safety is becoming a premium position in the NFL,” ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick said. “You need to be able to defend these hybrid offensive weapons people are deploying in the middle of the field.”

Greg Cosell, a co-host on ESPN’s NFL Matchup, said: “You talk to coaches nowadays and they tell if you don’t have good safeties, it limits your options defensively.”

Defensive line. The Redskins have wanted to add a defensive lineman since the season ended. They haven't done so (yet) via free agency, so it should be a lock that they'll find one in the draft. Key words: should be.

There are two legitimate choices at 13: Da’Ron Payne and Vita Vea; the Redskins, according to multiple sources, appear to be higher on Payne. It's not a lock that they'd draft a lineman here. They also seem to like Tim Settle, whom they could possibly target in the third round (again, if they acquire a pick) at the latest.

In talking to multiple people in the league, there is split opinion as to whether Payne could be a three-down player. It only matters what Washington thinks, though, and the Redskins seem to believe Payne would be one. Vea’s inconsistencies have bothered others, but some consider him a freakish athlete. One person called him "exciting." He has drawn comparisons to Haloti Ngata.

“Vea is not Ngata,” ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “But he’s a big, strong, tough kid. You can put him at nose tackle and he’ll hold up effectively. Payne has more penetration capability. He’ll be more disruptive.”

Linebacker. There are a few in the first round who are intriguing. Washington does not have a major need for one, but they could still go in this direction because of the (potential) talent available. They do like Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds. If neither safety falls, then perhaps a linebacker will be there at 13.

The Redskins have Mason Foster and Zach Brown inside, so if they don’t draft a linebacker here, they’re OK. Foster is coming off an injury but has been solid when healthy the past two years. Brown provides a different look with his athleticism; he was highly effective when next to Foster and behind Jonathan Allen. But both players could be cut after this season with no problem (Foster wouldn’t count anything on the cap; Brown would have $3 million in dead money). Assuming Smith was off the board, Kiper said if he had to rate between Edmunds, Payne and Vea he’d have the linebacker slightly ahead of Payne “because he has much more upside,” with Vea third.

Edmunds could help vs. the run on first and second down and can rush the passer on third; his size and athleticism mean he could play multiple linebacker spots in nickel packages, even rushing off the edge.

“Roquan Smith is the truth, man,” Riddick said. “The kid’s a player in every sense of the word and he should be a Pro Bowler very quickly. Very quickly. His key and diagnosis is exceptional. He very rarely takes bad paths to the ball. He can run. When he gets there he gets there with bad intentions. He can cover. He can play running backs; he can match up against tight ends. There’s nothing bad for me to say about Roquan.

“[Edmunds] doesn’t play nearly as fast as Roquan. I don’t think he’s as confident as Roquan as far as his ability to key and diagnose. You will see him play slower because he’s not sure. Once he is sure, he’s like a gazelle. Then he makes those run-and-hit plays where you go, ‘Wow. Look at that big son of a buck running like this, putting people on the ground.’ Of course, scouts and coaches go, ‘I’ll make him [a] starter. I’ll make him play faster.’ That’s the arrogance of scouting and coaching. You need that. But if I need a baller right now ... I’m going Roquan Smith all day.”