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Which Rookie Should Have the Best Season?

May 13, 2013 in Uncategorized, Washington Redskins Draft

Typically a question like this is kind of a formality as it is typically the teams' first round pick, and if it's not him or like the Redskins the team doesn't have a first round pick then it is the 2nd rounder. I don't think the answer is that simple for the Redskins this year. Not only do the lack the first rounder, but they took high risk/high reward picks. So everyone could make a case for having a stellar season or a disappointing one.

2nd Round CB David Amerson:

Why it could be him: Amerson was a ball hawk at the college level, leading the NCAA in interceptions his sophomore year. He's the type of guy who is capable of coming up with multiple big game defining plays over the course of the season. Amerson is also a corner who is adept at getting big returns after interceptions and could add a defensive touchdown or two, to his stat line.

Why it won't be him: Amerson is a feast of famine type of cornerback, and too often this past year it was famine. As much as he's capable of making game defining plays, he's just as likely to give up game defining plays. It's an inconsistency in this game that could lead the team to decide that he's best served as a reserve behind DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson and E.J. Biggers this season while he develops. He very well might not even see the field enough to warrant consideration of the best rookie season.

3rd Round TE Jordan Reed:

Why it could be him: Reed has a lot of potential in that joker tight end role and could be a weapon that creates major match-up problems for opposing defenses. He could quickly become the Redskins number two target behind Pierre Garcon, especially if Fred Davis doesn't recover well from the injury. Reed could also be a big Red Zone weapon, not just with his receiving skills, but some trick plays involving his rushing could be in the works as well.

Why it won't be him: Reed has a lot of promise, but he's pretty raw overall, given that he started his career at Florida as a quarterback and dealt with some injury issues slowing his development in college. If Fred Davis is healthy it will make it hard for Reed to make an impact. Also, the Redskins have never really been a team to involve two tight ends in the passing game at the same time, so if Davis is the number one, there will be few targets for the rest of the TE's. Finally, the Redskins are a run first team, and Reed's lack of blocking ability could make him a liability if he's out there too often.

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4th Round S Phillip Thomas:

Why it could be him: Thomas has a really good chance to start next season, something that isn't as clear with the two rookies ahead of him, or any of the players picked behind him. Thomas is a ballhawking safety so he definitely could come up with his fair share of turnovers next year. Thomas has also shown himself to be a quality blitzer so he could add some sacks next season as well.

Why it won't be him: Though he has the potential to do it, Thomas is probably miscast if he's forced to play free safety next year. While he may still be the Redskins best option in that role, he will probably more likely suffer growing pains in that position.

5th Round RB Chris Thompson:

Why it could be him: Thompson has game breaking speed and could have a major situational role on the offense, both as a runner and receiver. Though his touches won't be starting level, he could come up with some big gains and huge game deciding plays. Thompson also could potentially be used as a weapon in the return game as well.

Why it won't be him: Thompson is coming off back-to-back injury shortened years, including an ACL injury this past year. Though some can return at 100% after an ACL, 9-10 months after the injury, the majority of guys still struggle that first year back. Especially in the case of a guy like Thompson who's entire game revolves around speed and lateral quickness. At the very least Thompson will be behind due to missing all the offseason work leading up to training camp (and he might miss some time there as well). It's also unlikely that he'll be able to take over return duties since he doesn't have collegiate experience and likely won't have the time to work on it this offseason.

5th Round OLB Brandon Jenkins:

Why it could be him: Jenkins would have been a lock for the top 50 picks and likely a first round pick, had he not gotten injured the first week of the season this past year. He had a dominant sophomore campaign and a really strong junior year, prior to the injury. If he's fine, he could be a valuable situational pass rusher for the Redskins, particularly early on when Rob Jackson is suspended. Even though he's not going to be a starter, Jenkins could contribute 5+ sacks if given the opportunity.

Why it won't be him: Though other teams might do it, the Redskins haven't really shown many looks of bringing in a third edge rusher on passing downs. While Jenkins could fill in for Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan some, barring an injury it is likely to just be a handful of snaps, especially once Rob Jackson comes back.

6th Round S Bacarri Rambo:

Why it could be him: Rambo is possibly the best natural free safety on the team and has a big history of making big plays. If Thomas can't handle the free safety role, Rambo could get a shot at it. If so he's more than capable of showing his range and coming up with some big turnovers. Rambo also is a guy who is known to defense routes as well, and not just always go for the pick.

Why it won't be him: Rambo has had off the field maturity issues which caused him to slide in the draft, if there are any further issues it could lead him to being benched or suspended. Rambo also has two areas of concern in his game as well. For one thing he tries too hard to strip the ball, which could lead to some missed tackles and extra yards for the offense. Also, Rambo struggled at the Senior Bowl, particularly when asked to man up with tight ends and receivers. Finally, it is very likely that Rambo just won't have the opportunity to play enough as a rookie.

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7th Round RB Jawan Jamison:

Why it could be him: Jamison comes from a zone blocking scheme and is a perfect fit for Mike Shanahan's offensive system. Knowing the track record Shanahan has with late round running backs (and just rookies in general), you have to feel good about Jamison's chances. Though he should just max out as Alfred Morris's back-up, the reality is at RB the back-up can quickly become the starter. While Morris was 100% healthy last year, he might not be as lucky this year. In which case Jamison could fill in and put up some really good numbers.

Why it won't be him: Though Jamison is a really good fit for Mike Shanahan he will still start out on the depth chart behind Morris, Roy Helu Jr. and likely Evan Royster. Unless he has to, Mike Shanahan typically has not relied upon rookies (other than first rounders) with the Redskins early in the season, so Jamison's attempts could be way down, even if Morris were to miss some time. If Morris is healthy and Thompson is the change of pace/specialty back, it will likely limit any chance of Jamison getting the opportunity to be the best rookie.

Also in honor of Mother's Day, check out these video's of Jackie Griffin on what it is like to be the mother of RGIII

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by John Manuel

Redskins Draft Recap & Reaction

April 29, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

By Staff Writer John Manuel:

Overall Thoughts:

I really like what the Redskins were able to do without owning a first round choice this weekend. I feel they addressed their needs of help in the secondary with three potential contributors in the future. I expect all three to get a chance early on to step in for the open spots created by injuries and just a lack of talent.

Shanahan seemed to address athleticism and playmaking potential with this draft by adding guys like Amerson, Thomas and Rambo. In this day and age of the NFL the offenses are ahead of the defenses, so turnovers are so key. We will face plenty of high powered offenses, so much like last year forcing turnovers will be key again.

Was David Amerson taken too high?

Maybe, but let’s just wait and see. I know many have killed him for taking chances and getting burned but 11 interceptions is 11 interceptions. Amerson comes in with a great attitude and seems ready to work with Haslett and Morris from day one. I put a lot of Amerson's future on the Redskins coaches but there is no doubt the physical skills are there.

I know a lot of people will look at what DJ Swearinger does in Houston and compare to Amerson. I am completely fine that they didn't go that route especially after all the talk about all the talking of Swearinger. I feel the Skins had that already in Laron Landry and it got old. And we still have it with DeAngelo Hall. Then adding Thomas and Rambo ended any thoughts of Swearinger.

Taking Risks in the Later Rounds:

The Redskins spent Saturday taking players who are considered risks and their draft status really fell due that. Brandon Jenkins and Chris Thompson are coming off major injuries and Baccari Rambo is coming off other issues. I think if the Skins get one solid contributor and one decent one it’s a win with these three. Thompson could be electric and fills a need that this team has. Jenkins should be given time to get healthy and Rambo has a chance to be a factor quickly. If the Skins hit on either Thomas or Rambo a huge need is filled for many years to come.

One and a Half Complaints:

I think the Redskins should always look to take at least one offensive lineman each draft. They added 3 last year, but 0 this draft. Not drafting lineman during the Cerrato/ Gibbs/ Spurrier time really hurt this roster and it looked like Shanny was changing that, but not this year. The team still needs to find a permanent answer at right tackle and not a 4 man open competition or a guy with the hip of a 95 year-old man.

My other semi complaint was I felt Washington really didn't need to go tight end in this draft and especially with their 3rd rounder. I felt they were ok with the Davis/Paulson/Paul trio for 2013. Now do they keep Paul? They have to especially after losing Lorenzo Alexander on special teams.

Many seem to love Jordan Reed, so I am completely willing to see what he can add to the offense. Especially if he can come in and fill a TE/WR hybrid combo. But if he isn't big contributor by 2014 this will be considered a draft mistake.

Tags: 2013 NFL Draft, Redskins Draft, Washington Redskins 3 Comments »

by Steve Shoup

Redskins Round 2 and 3 Draft Scenarios

April 26, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

The Redskins didn't have a first round pick, but that doesn't mean they can't walk away with some impact players from this draft. Here are some of the top options potentially available to them in Rounds 2 and 3:

Round 2:

Defensive line:

Johnathan Hankins

John Jenkins

Jesse Williams

Margus Hunt

Cornerback:

Jonathan Banks

Darius Slay

Jordan Poyer

Robert Alford

Safety:

D.J. Swearinger

Offensive line:

Barrett Jones

Dallas Thomas

Terron Armstead

Wide Receiver:

Robert Woods

Quinton Patton

Markus Wheaton

Tight End:

Zach Ertz

3rd Round Options:

Defensive Line:

None

Cornerback:

Logan Ryan

B.W. Webb

Dwayne Gratz

Safety:

Tony Jefferson

Phillip Thomas

Bacarri Rambo

Shamarko Thomas

Offensive Line:

David Bakhtari

David Quessenberry

Wide Receiver:

Ryan Swope

Aaron Dobson

Stedman Bailey

Tight End:

Vance McDonald

Gavin Escobar

Now safety, corner and offensive tackle are the Redskins three biggest needs, but the value could be there at another position and the Redskins could justify taking a defensive lineman, a tight end or a wide receiver (particularly a slot wide receiver). Now of course in reality some of the players listed in the 2nd or 3rd round will be off the board when the Redskins select, but there should at least be a reasonable chance that these guys will be there (guys like Jonathan Cyprien and Jamar Taylor I don't believe have a reasonable chance to be there). Now the best case scenario would of course be if the Redskins can get two of the names off the 2nd round list, but for the purpose of this we will look at one from each list. Here are my top 5 scenarios for the Redskins:

#1

2nd Round CB Jonathan Banks, 3rd Round S Phillip Thomas

-This would fill the Redskins two biggest needs and give them a pair of young defensive backs to build around in 2014 when Wilson, Hall, Biggers, Meriweather and Doughty are all free agents. In addition to filling the needs, it lands the Redskins great value at each position.

#2

2nd Round DE Margus Hunt, 3rd Round CB B.W. Webb

-This would be a high-upside scenario for the Redskins. Hunt has incredible potential and could develop into a poor man's J.J. Watt, giving the Redskins a big boost for their pass rush and helping to add depth to a unit that has been riddled with injuries and underperformance. Webb isn't as touted as a number of higher ranked corners, but his potential is pretty high. He's got a strong work ethic and shows impressive awareness and technique. He also should contribute on special teams as a returner.

#3

2nd Round DT Johnathan Hankins, 3rd Round S Bacarri Rambo

-This would be an interesting scenario. Hankins could be a steal in terms of value and he should bolster the defensive line. He can split time at both nose tackle and defensive end, adding depth and potential to both spots. Hankins showed the potential to be major force along the line, as he can eat up blockers and still get good penetration. He should really boost the Redskins run defense, which should help overall by putting opponents in longer passing situations. Rambo would fill the Redskins need at free safety, and give them someone with nice range and potential.

#4

2nd Round OL Barrett Jones, 3rd Round S Tony Jefferson

-This would be considered an odd draft by some, but I think it would be a very safe and versatile draft. Barrett Jones may be listed as a center but the reality is he can play anywhere along the line. He's incredibly intelligent and had just a fantastic career at Alabama. He could be a Bruce Matthews type of player who moves all around the line throughout his career, but continues to rack up trips to Hawaii. Tony Jefferson is one of the smarter safeties in this class, I love his instincts and though he's probably a better SS fit, he should be able to play free safety as well.

#5

2nd Round S D.J. Swearinger, 3rd Round WR Ryan Swope

-This would be a balanced draft for the Redskins. Targeting their biggest need, but slightly reaching in the 2nd round and addressing a future need in the third round. The immediate impact of this draft would likely be more limited, but it doesn't ignore either side of the ball and gives them some playmakers. Swearinger should compete for a starting job, and even if he struggles early in his career would be an upgrade over what the Redskins currently have at safety. Swope could be the eventual replacement for Santana Moss, and give the Redskins a versatile guy, who could fit nicely in the Redskins creative offense. Should also make an impact on special teams.

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by Steve Shoup

Redskins #MockFive Recap

April 10, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

Here are the Results from the #MockFive Twitter draft for the Washington Redskins. I'd again like to thank Scott Jennings for being my assistant G.M.

Pick Overall Choice Notes

2.21 51 Johnathan Banks, CB from Mississippi State

We tried to trade back, but when nothing materialized it was a no brainer pick for us. We were absolutely thrilled that Jonathan Banks was still on the board as we feel he is a steal at this point. We aren't concerned by his forty time as we have every faith that he can succeed. He should match-up well versus some of the bigger receivers in our division.

3.23 85 Barrett Jones, C from Alabama

After much debate the Redskins decided to go with value here. Barrett Jones we feel can play any position along the line and even challenge at right tackle. Even if he is limited to the inside, this is a tremendous value pick. Jones has great potential and is also one of the safer picks in the draft given his versatility. Expect Jones to challenge for a starting spot as a rookie.

4.22 119 Duke Williams, S from Nevada

The Redskins have major needs in the secondary and Williams is a player who should be able to challenge for a starting job early in his career. He's got nice potential is that is right around where we valued him. Any concerns about not going safety earlier were alleviated when this pick came up. Safeties got overdrafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but here we feel we got both talent and value for a major need spot.

5.21 154 Kenjon Barner, RB from Oregon

Considered a couple of options here, but our next favorite option (A.J. Klein) was just selected, so that made this decision a bit easier. Barner gives the Redskins a versatile weapon to pair in the backfield with RGIII. He offers a nice complementary skill set to Alfred Morris, and should be able to contribute significantly in the passing game and return game as well.

5.29 162 Kwame Geathers, DT from Georgia

The Redskins went nose tackle here as they could use a good solid rotational NT to go along with Barry Cofield. Cofield does a nice job, but his best damage comes when the Redskins are in the sub-package formation. Geathers wouldn't need to be a star, but should help out the Skins line. Longtime Redskins fans will remember his uncle Jumpy Geathers who was a big part of their last Super Bowl run.

6.23 191 Conner Vernon, WR from Duke

Considered a couple different positions and players at receiver, but Vernon made the most sense. The Redskins are thin at the slot receiver position, and also have a number of guys with questionable hands. Vernon should improve the team in both areas, and should grow to be a solid player in the Redskins offense. People will get hung-up on his speed, but he's such a good route runner and displays nice short area quickness that he gets enough separation.

7.22 228 Rashard Hall, S from Clemson

The Redskins grab another safety here as the position is probably the weakest on the roster. Hall is a guy who could be a solid back-up/special teamer early in his career with a little potential to grow down the road.

Here are Scott's Notes From the Draft:

I think we got some pretty great value especially with Banks who is still a borderline 1st round pick. Barrett Jones is being underrated now, but is easily a 2nd round talent. Shanahan would love his versatility and he could easily compete to win a job on the line early.

Duke Williams is one of my favorite mid round safety prospects in this draft. I think the 4th is a perfect spot to pick him up, and the safety value was not there in the 3rd. Unless more players are brought in, or Tanard Jackson magically becomes an option, Duke will have a chance to see the field in his rookie year. He has great speed and will help shore up the secondary.

Kenjon Barner is a player that I've been mocking to the Skins since January. It's possible that he is not there in the late 5th, and I think the Eagles could possibly take him before our pick. Barner is a versatile RB that will be an incredible weapon in the option. With Helu's recent surgery and consecutive injury filled years, Mike Shanahan will look for a similar running back in this deep draft class. One of the biggest knocks on Barner is his pass blocking, but he has been working to improve this and showed a better effort at the Senior Bowl. His ability to catch the ball and make defenders miss will be a great addition to the backfield.

Kwame Geathers is another player that I mocked to the Skins back in January, and I think the DL needs to add talent. I like Barry Cofield as a player, and he shows flashes of very good play against the pass. The line could benefit from a big NT like Geathers who can eat up linemen. Geathers would start as a rotational player on the line, but hopefully he will be able to assume the role full time, and allow Cofield to be utilized at DE more.

Conner Vernon is a player that will be drafted this year and developed to eventually take over the slot when Santana Moss is gone, possibly next year. He is not a burner, but his short are quickness, route running and his hands will make him a valuable asset. He will be depth until he is ready to start in a year or two, but with Moss, Morgan, and Briscoe possibly gone next year, it makes sense to draft a WR now.

With our last pick we decided to pick up S Rashard Hall, and let him fight for a depth position. Hall is 6'2" 210lbs, and will bring some size to the secondary and probably play special teams to get playing time in the beginning of his career. He had 4 interceptions last year and can make plays. The 4.7 40 time might limit his options, but he could develop into a solid contributor.

We were unable to get any trades this time which was disappointing. I think we did very well in getting value at every pick, and we met most of our pressing needs. I put together a list of possible UDFA targets that were left on the board.

P Jeff Locke
LB Jonathan Stewart, Travis Johnson
CB, Johnny Abrams
S Bradley McDougald
TE Justice Cunningham, Matt Furstenburg
WR Alec Lemon, Keenan Davis, Uzoma Nwachukwu
RB Theo Riddick, Zach Line
OT Braden Brown
DL Joe Vellano

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by Steve Shoup

Washington Redskins #MockFour Results

March 28, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

Here are the results from the #MockFour Twitter draft for the Washington Redskins. To follow along with the entire draft go here.

I also want to thank the Assistant G.M.'s in our Warroom:

Scott Jennings, Kelsie Carpenter, Ken Merigolo, Mark Bullock and Stuart McDaniel

2nd Round pick 51st: CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State

-We talked about going in a couple different directions, but we were focused on two main things. 1: make sure we are getting value with the pick 2: make sure we are filling a legitimate need. Our primary was focus was on fixing the secondary, and while we would have loved to have grabbed a free safety prospect, there just wasn't value there in the 2nd round. We had hoped to trade back, but a couple deals fell through at the last minute. We ended up debating a couple corners, but felt that Taylor offered the best value. He's got good size and speed and should be a day one starter on the outside.

3rd Round pick 85th: TE Jordan Reed, Florida

-Our hope here was that a safety that we loved would be here at this pick, but by the time our pick came up there wasn't anyone we really loved (as a 3rd round pick) on the board. We were also considering some offensive line options, but most of them went before we selected as well. Since we didn't love any one player we really tried trading back to take advantage of this class's depth. We couldn't work out a deal so we decided to make a selection that was a bit against our original plan. We drafted TE Jordan Reed to be a replace free agent Fred Davis. Reed like Davis is a movement tight end, and could make an early impact in the Redskins offense.

4th Round Pick 121st: S Duke Williams, Nevada

-We finally were able to move back in the draft, swapping 4th rounders with the Texans and picking up their 7th round pick in the process. Duke Williams is one of the better 2nd tier safeties out there and is a nice value pick at this spot. In reality he probably shouldn't start, but given the Redskins lack of quality safeties, he could have a very real chance.

5th Round Pick: 147th OL David Quessenberry, San Jose State

-Currently the Redskins offensive tackle depth chart looks pretty bleak, especially projecting forward. Quessenberry is a great value pick here and a guy who thrived at the Senior Bowl. He projects well in a zone scheme and could move inside if needed. Quessenberry could even have a chance to start this year, given how poor the competition is.

5th Round Pick: 155th CB Will Davis, Utah State:

-The Redskins secondary is a mess, particularly from a long term perspective. While we already added one corner, getting another as talented as Davis makes sense here. He can play inside in the slot and add more speed and potential to the position. We were hoping a running back would fall here, but our target Kenjon Barner went a few picks prior.

6th Round Pick: 181st RB Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

-Alfred Morris was a true find for the Redskins last season, but behind him Washington only has question marks. Roy Helu is returning from injury, and it is unclear what he will bring to the table this season, and Evan Royster did not fare well as the back-up last season. Jamison offers some quickness and speed that should complement Morris and the Redskins offense really well. He's a great fit and value at this pick.

7th Round Pick: 212th OLB Travis Johnson, San Jose State

-Depth among pass rushers is extremely limited for the Washington Redskins. Last year a combination headlined by Rob Jackson and Lorenzo Alexander struggled to make up for the impact of an injured Brian Orakpo. This year Alexander is now playing in Arizona and Jackson is facing a 4 game suspension to start the season. Johnson we feel may be limited overall, but is a guy who could be a nice situational pass rusher, and offer key depth in this area.

7th Round Pick: WR Jasper Collins, Mount Union

-The Redskins have three of their receivers hitting free agency after 2013, and could use some more youth there. Collins would also give the Redskins another receiver who projects into the slot, which is an area the Redskins lack behind Santana Moss. Collins is from Mount Union the same school that has produced Cecil Shorts and current Redskin Pierre Garcon. He has some nice upside and we feel he can follow in their footsteps.

Here are the Draft Thoughts from my assistant G.M. Scott Jennings:

MockFour was a little different than the previous one we were a part of. A lot of odd picks, reaches, and talent falling that hadn’t fallen previously. Most of the safeties we had with a 2^nd round grade were off the board when Pick #51 came up. Cornerback was the consensus biggest need and had the most talent on the board. The decision was between Darius Slay and Jamar Taylor, and I preferred Slay, but Taylor is a very good value here and we took him.

We were watching Kyle Long fall in the 3^rd, and hoped he would last until our pick, but he was stolen 3 picks before us, and a few more safeties were also off the board. We had a few options at WR, RB, and LB for this pick, but went with TE Jordan Reed. I didn’t want to go TE this early, but Reed is a versatile TE that will be another weapon for RGIII.

The 4^th round had a number of our safety targets picked before us, and we were able to secure our first and only trade of the draft with the Texans. We picked up their 7^th round pick to move down 5 spots. FS Duke Williams was the selection, and someone who I really wanted and is under rated in this draft. Will be able to fight for playing time, and contribute to the secondary early. Kenjon Barner was my 2^nd choice here, but we felt safety couldn’t wait, and Williams would be gone before Barner.

At our first 5^th round pick we agreed on two targets, OT David Quessenberry and RB Kenjon Barner. We considered trading up with our second 5^th to ensure that we got both, but decided to stay put. OT/G/C Quessenberry got picked first because he was rated higher, there was a big dropoff in talent at OT after him, and there were similar RB’s to Barner still on the board if he got picked. Barner was stolen by the Bengals who had actually picked another RB very early in this mock. My third choice was CB Will Davis, and we went with him to further strengthen the secondary.

The 6^th round pick was used on a pass catching, blocking RB in Jawan Jamison from Rutgers. He comes from a zone blocking scheme, catches passes well, blocks, and was the highest rated running back on our board. He’s probably a rotational/3^rd down back, and will be insurance/replacement for Roy Helu Jr.

We had two 7ths and these were used for depth. We selected OLB Travis Johnson with our original pick. We were going to select DT Joe Vellano with the Texans pick, but he was not listed on the player database. So we decided to add another weapon for Griff in slot WR Jasper Collins.

I think the draft board was not friendly to us early on and some of the positions that we wanted to address were hit hard, limiting our ability to pick without reaching. We were able to add players that will be able to contribute early, bolstered the secondary, and added some valuable weapons on offense. Taylor and Reed should contribute early or start, depending on who we sign/resign at their positions before the season starts. Quessenberry would be in the mix at RT, or competing for depth at other positions. Jamison would see work early and add an element to the offense that was missing last year.

Thoughts from Ass. G.M. Ken Meringolo:

When Steve asked me to join his war room for this mock draft, I knew that no matter what he said, I was here for one reason and one reason only: eye candy. That was not going to stop me from being the proponent for drafting offensive linemen throughout the entire process, however. I lobbied hard to add Kyle Long when he slipped down the board, and while I was disappointed that we didn’t take him, we did fill crucial needs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I am pretty sure I made an argument to draft an OL at every point until we landed David Quessenberry. I would still have burned a 7th rounder on an athletic tackle like Roger Gaines out of Tennessee State, even though he needs work. It was disappointing at the end when we really wanted Joe Vellano and he was not in the system. All in all, I liked the talent we brought in to bolster our secondary, and it was encouraging to see that we can actually make great strides in filling in some of our open roster spots in the middle of this draft.

Tags: Mock Draft, Washington Redskins Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

Washington Redskins #MockThree Draft

March 17, 2013 in Uncategorized, Washington Redskins Draft

Here are the results from the MockThree twitter draft for the Washington Redskins. For full MockThree results go here:

While I was the G.M. of the Redskins I had a good bit of help and would like to thank my four assistant G.M.'s for their input and work throughout the draft. My four assistant G.M.'s were the following: Mark Bullock, Scott Jennings, Joey Terrones, and Jonathan Turrell. Here are the Redskins picks from the draft and the thought process that led to the selections:

2nd Round Pick 51st overall: CB Darius Slay, Mississippi State-

-We considered a number of options with this pick, but in general felt that we could both address a need here and stay pretty true to our board. We most heavily considered corners, safeties and to a lesser extent offensive tackles with this pick. Most of the debate came down between corners and safeties, while also trying to trade back in the round due to the sheer number of viable options. Given the number of safeties we still liked that were on the board as opposed to a fewer number of corners that we felt offered the chance to be an immediate impact player for the Redskins, we ended up going with Darius Slay at corner. We considered a few additional corners, but felt that Slay's size/speed combo were unique, and would allow Slay to be more of an outside corner with the Redskins.

3rd Round Pick 93rd overall: C/G Brian Schwenke, California-

-The Redskins originally held the 85th pick, but with most of the good value safeties off the board, and a number of players still available we felt like trading back may have been our best option. The Redskins got a chance to move back just 8 spots and picked up an extra 6th and 7th round picks in the process. With so many good players still on the board we knew that we could still get someone at 93, and felt that adding two late round picks would give us both depth and some extra ammunition to potentially trade up for a particular player we liked later in the draft.

When we got back on the clock we still had a number of interesting options, but decided to go with one of our top players and a guy who would help both Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, and that is interior offensive lineman Brian Schwenke. Schwenke is a great fit for a zone blocking scheme, and at the time that we drafted him it appeared likely that Kory Lichtensteiger was going to move on. We felt that Schwenke would have a fair chance to win the starting LG spot, and also could replace him as the back-up to Will Montgomery. Though we may have selected a different player had we known that Lichtensteiger would return, we still feel from a value/talent standpoint this is a great pick.

4th Round Pick 116th overall: S Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma-

-The Redskins considered Jefferson quite a bit with their 3rd round pick and were ecstatic to see him still on the board in the 4th round. A few other players were considered, but addressing the safety position was considered crucial for the Redskins. Jefferson should be both a safety who can play early as well as one who could develop into a special player. There is some debate about what his more natural safety position is, but it was felt that he would have the versatility to help at either position, though strong safety may end up being his better spot. Jefferson is a guy who can both cover and play in the box, though he can get a little lazy at times with his angles and wrapping up. He's still a tremendous value pick for this spot, and fills a major team need.

4th Round Pick 118th overall: S T.J. McDonald, USC-

-One reason we felt like trading back in the 3rd round, was to allow us to do something like this. Using one of our 5th round picks and one of our 6th round picks we traded back into the later part of the 4th round to draft a player who was falling that we really liked. Here we felt that safety T.J. McDonald represented a great value while once again helping a major need. McDonald gives the Redskins another quality young defensive back, and another one who could get playing time early for the Redskins. He's another versatile safety and could develop into a very good starting caliber free safety.

5th Round Pick 155th overall: OT Oday Aboushi, UVA-

-Here the Redskins looked to address another need, while still trying to find value. Here we felt we did that once again by adding tackle Oday Aboushi. Aboushi has had an poor post season, with a bad showing at both the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. While that has collapsed his draft stock some, this was a guy who was at one time considered a top 50 prospect and at worst a top 75 guy. He won't be a left tackle at the next level, but could still be a very good pick. He had a strong career at UVA, and would be a good pick here for Washington.

6th Round Pick 181st overall: TE Nick Kasa, Colorado-

-With Fred Davis a free agent and the Redskins a run first team adding a tight end who can block makes some sense. Kasa is a raw prospect, but really showed well at the Senior Bowl, not just as a blocker but as a receiver as well. He's still a developing tight end, but shows nice hands and route running ability. He should be able to offer early value to the Redskins at least as a blocker.

7th Round Pick 210th overall: RB Theo Riddick, Notre Dame-

-Given the depth concerns at running back adding a back was considered a fairly big need for the Redskins. Riddick is a nice late round value pick for the Redskins. He's a quicker/speed back who would be a nice complement to Alfred Morris. He also has a wide receiver background, meaning he could split out wide some and be used in a variety of ways.

7th Round Pick 212th overall: WR Rodney Smith, Florida State-

-Here the Redskins felt they could take a late round flyer at a position. Smith helps the Redskins in a couple of ways. He has really intriguing size, and would be a nice big target for a team that currently lacks them. Receiver also represents a future need as Josh Morgan, Santana Moss and Dezmon Briscoe are all free agents after next season. Smith may not even make the team as a rookie, but he has some intriguing upside and could take on a larger role in 2014.

Tags: Washington Redskins Mock Draft 6 Comments »

by Jonathan Turrell

Redskins 2013 Draft (CONDENSED)

March 8, 2013 in NFL, Washington Redskins Draft

Here is a GREATLY condensed version of the Washington Redskins 2013 Draft. If you want heights and weights and stats and youtube videos, get em yourself!

Free Agency – London Fletcher needs to return. Figure out what Fred Davis is doing/not doing. Beef up OL. Especially RT. With that out of the way…

The first three picks are intriguing. So many options…
Could look like this…

OPTION 1
#51 – SS – Jonathan Cyprien
#84 – FS – Phillip Thomas
#116 – CB – Leon McFadden

OR this…

OPTION 2
#51 – FS – Eric Reid
#84 – SS – Shamarko Thomas
#116 – CB – Leon McFadden

OR this…

OPTION 3
#51 – CB – David Amerson or Jordan Poyer
#84 – SS – Shamarko Thomas
#116 – FS – DJ Swearinger

Which option do you all like most? I'd take ANY OF THEM!!! Just so many interesting combinations of talent. I really think all 3 picks need to be in the secondary though.

EXCEPTION BEING. If Fred Davis hits the ground running come free agency, I might use #116 and try to steal Travis Kelce (TE) projected to go #94 if he's still available.

The bottom half looks like this… (I decided to roll the dice and go after some firepower, because 32 points a game, just isn't enough for me!!!)

#147 – RB – Kenjon Barner – Projected #153, but I don't want to miss out on this guy waiting for our next pick to roll around. Though we could check to see if those 8 teams need a RB and try waiting for pick #155… I guess… He's fast. Great hands out of the backfield. Always a threat to take it to the house. Could make a GREAT change of pace back from Morris. Possibly the lightening to Morris' thunder? Also has experience returning kicks/punts.

#155 – OL – Brennan Williams or another OL you like?

#181 – WR – Denard Robinson – I like Josh Johnson (CB) as well but I don't want to miss out on Denard Robinson. Dude is lethal. Not a #1, go to WR, but his versatility adds CHAPTERS, not mere pages to the playbook.

#212 – CB – Micah Hyde – Though I also like Marquess Wilson (WR) Brandon Kaufman (WR) and Rodney Smith (WR) with this pick…

Gives us… 1 CB, 1 FS, 1 SS in first 3 picks. Adds teeth to our secondary. BUNCH of big hitting, ball hawking playmakers in those first 3 picks.

Gives us a truly explosive finesse RB to compliment Morris, and a possible return man.

Gives us a 5th round OL (to add to whoever we nab in free agency)

Gives us a WR/RB/QB in Denard Robinson who is nothing more then a human highlight reel. Explosive to the MAX!!!

Gives us a sleeper pick of either an insurance CB or a BIG WR for the red zone.

Assuming we fix our OL in free agency, I think these picks make us a VERY good team! I'd be ecstatic with just about any combination of players mentioned here. (short of 3 FS and zero CB)

This is just my two cents. Worth exactly what you paid for them. No more. No less.

Tags: 2013, Draft, NFL, Redskins 11 Comments »

by Jonathan Turrell

My Redskins Pre-Draft Scouting Report

March 6, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

Here’s a list of prospects I think the Redskins need to seriously consider. I’ve included where they’re projected to fall in the draft, and why I think they’d look great in a Redskin uniform. I’ve also divided them into groups by where they’ll fall in relation to Redskins draft picks.

#42 – SS – Jonathan Cyprien – I think we’re more desperate for help at FS or CB, but Cyprien is a big hitter, and a playmaker, and would be a great value if still available at pick #51.

#49 – CB – David Amerson – He’s tall and long. He‘s one of the slower CB in the draft, but still has an impressive highlight reel.

#51 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#52 – FS – Eric Reid – He seems to relish the big hit. Sometimes at the expense of failing to wrap up the ball carrier and the occasional senseless penalty. Has been compared to Laron Landry (a household name for Redskins fans)

#54 – OL – Barrett Jones – I hate to spend an early round draft pick on an OL. HOWEVER, since redshirting in 2008, Jones has started 49 of the past 53 games, earning action at right guard (25 starts), center (14 starts) left tackle (10 starts). He’s quick. He’s intelligent. He’s versatile. PS. He played his final game of his college career against Notre Dame with numerous torn ligaments in his foot. How’s that for being tough!

#55 – CB – Jordan Poyer – He’s big. He’s physical. He hits hard. He helps out in the run game. He’s got WR hands. He’ll most likely fall between our draft picks, but I would love to have him at CB.

#70 – FS – Phillip Thomas – 20 career turnovers. (13 interceptions, 6 caused fumbles, 1 recovered fumble) He had 8 interceptions last year, and returned 3 for touchdowns. Kid is the absolute best safety in the draft that NOBODY has heard of. Maybe because of playing in Fresno State?

#77 – SS – Shamarko Thomas – He plays like Sean Taylor. He wears Sean Taylor’s old #21. At 5-9, 213 pounds, he’s shorter then some coaches would prefer but he’s ALL muscle. He’s a pit bull with an unofficial 4.26, 40 yard dash.

#83 – CB – Tyrann Mathieu – I don’t like the idea of investing 2nd round pick on a pothead who has spent more time during the past year in police custody then on a football field. A 5th or 6th round pick, MAYBE. But he can’t expect to go this high (No pun intended) Nobody is that dumb. Not even on pot.

#84 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#89 – FS – Bacarri Rambo – He’s a turnover creating machine. Unfortunately he likes to gamble. He’s a high risk, high reward pick. Big hits. Big turnovers. Big plays getting burnt the other way as well. Like Mathieu, he has his share of off field issues.

#94 – TE – Travis Kelce – IF Fred Davis hits Free Agency running, I like the 6-5, 255 pound kid out of Cincinnati as his replacement. He’s big. He’s described as a ‘violent blocker’, but he moves well and has GREAT hands. I like the idea of RG3 having a big target down near the goal line.

#99 – FS – Tony Jefferson – 22 tackles for losses in 33 starts. Reliable tackler. He has good awareness and GREAT instinct. Diagnoses and closes on plays quickly.

#100 – CB – Blidi Wreh-Wilson – Zone coverage specialist with good hands. Floating between rounds, but if he falls to pick #116, he could be a great value.

#114 – FS – DJ Swearinger. – In college he played both zone and man coverage. He’s also played CB, FS, and SS. He’s a big hitting ball hawk, that can play any position in the secondary.

#116 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#117 – CB – Leon McFadden – He’s quick. He’s got great hands. He moves well with the WR through the route, never giving up on the play. Would have to use pick #116 to get him though.

#121 – ILB – Jon Bostic – CBS Sports ranks him as the 4th best ILB in the draft. If we could scoop him up with pick #147, he’d be a great value. Especially if he could spend a year learning from London Fletcher before the veteran retires. Once London Fletcher has been resigned, I think it will be the perfect time to start grooming his protege.

#122 – OL – Jordan Mills – Assuming we don’t address our OL concerns in Free Agency, having an extra option might not hurt. When it comes to corners and safeties, this was by far the weakest round.

#125 – OL – David Quessenberry – Assuming we don’t address our OL concerns in Free Agency, having an extra option might not hurt. When it comes to corners and safeties, this was by far the weakest round.

#132 – FS – TJ McDonald – Good speed for a “lights out hitter”. Covered slot WR, played ‘centerfield’ and blitzed in college. Aggressively attacks the line when he reads run.

#147 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#153 – RB – Kenjon Barner – 4.52, 40 yard dash. A threat to score every time he touches the ball. Shifty. Finesse runner with excellent speed, both straightline and in and out of cuts. Reliable hands out of the backfield and has experience as a return man. Could be lightening to Alfred Morris' thunder.

#154 – FB – Lonnie Pryor – As a RB Pryor gained 2,281 yards and 20 touchdowns his senior year of high school. Bulked up to play FB, per coaches request. Gained 134 yards on just 5 carries in the 2012 Orange Bowl.

# 155 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#155 – SS – Robert Lester – Good speed. Excellent ball skills. Closes on run plays and underneath pass routes very quickly.

#156 – CB – Terry Hawthorne – A 4.44, 40 yard dash, fluid footwork and a physical defender who doesn’t shy away from contact. Very physical. History of being injury prone.

#158 – FS – Josh Evans – Aggressive attacker and a sure tackler. A rare combination. Always trying to rip the ball out of the WR hands, even after the completion.

#160 – OL – Brennan Williams – Long arms and an athletic build. Relatively quick. A little rough around the edges. With good coaching, could be an eventual starter. Would be projected a little higher had he not missed the last 4 games of his senior year and the NFL combine with a torn labrum.

#170 – ILB – AJ Klein – Excellent diagnosis skills. Able read and react quickly. Not as athletic as some would like, yet he ended his college career tied with the FBS record, with 4 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Could be a bit of a sleeper. Might fall to #181?

#177 – CB – Josh Johnson – Physical in bump and run coverage. Excellent awareness. Good hands. Confident in man coverage. Often left on an island at Purdue. Not often fooled. Violent tackler and run defender, not afraid to undercut and out-physical a WR.

#181 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#192 – RB – Zac Stacy – 1,193 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior year. Injury prone (mostly small injuries) He’s not fancy. He’s not explosive. But he’s a good solid back. The kind Mike Shanahan could possibly turn into a pro bowl RB.

#197 – WR – Rodney Smith – 6-4, 225 pounds with a 34.5” vertical leap. If he plays as big as he is, he could turn into a stud. Especially inside the red zone.

#207 – WR – Denard Robinson – 4.43, 40 yard dash and a 36.5” vertical leap. He’s spent time at QB, RB, and WR. Willing to return kicks, and has even discussed playing CB. I WANT THIS KID IN A SKINS JERSEY. Him, RG3 and Alfred Morris in the backfield. Could be unstoppable. I’d be willing to spend pick #181 on Denard Robinson.

#212 – REDSKINS DRAFT PICK

#213 – CB – Micah Hyde – 77 and 66 yard interception returns for touchdowns in 2010. I like his highlight reel. Good hands. Good speed. Good range. Could be a good insurance pick.

#217 – OL – Braden Brown – Long athletic frame. Ideal NFL tackle. His only downside is he’s a more impressive pass blocker then run blocker and we run the ball about 60% of the time.

#222 – WR – Marquess Wilson – Not quite as big as Rodney Smith, but quicker. Better hands. And he plays bigger then he really is.

DEEP SLEEPER

#236 – WR – Brandon Kaufman – 6-5, 216 pounds. In 42 games, over 4 seasons, Kaufman recorded 221 passes for 3,731 yards, and 33 touchdowns. That’s almost 17 yards per catch. Besides his size, he has deceptive build up speed on deep routes and reliable hands, even with off target throws.

In conclusion… I want David Amerson (CB) Barrett Jones (OL) Jordan Poyer(CB) and Phillip Thomas (FS)… Unfortunately they are all projected to go within 20 picks of each other so the odds of landing even two of the four seem slim.

#51 – SS – Jonathan Cyprien – Though as said before, I would be okay with David Amerson (CB) Eric Reid (FS) Barrett Jones (OL) or Jordan Poyer (CB), but if Cyprien is available, he's the best bang for your buck.

#84 – FS – Phillip Thomas – If he's still available, I love this pick!

#116 – CB – Leon McFadden – Though depending on the Fred Davis negotiations I might go with Travis Kelce (TE) and nab a CB or two later in the draft.

#147 – IRB – Kenjon Barner – Projected #153, but I like him a lot. Don't want to miss out on this guy.

#155 – OL – Brennan Williams

#181 – WR – Denard Robinson – I like Josh Johnson (CB) but Denard Robinson is too potent a weapon to let slip through our fingers.

#212 – CB – Micah Hyde – Though I like Marquess Wilson (WR) Brandon Kaufman (WR) and Rodney Smith (WR) as well.

These are just my two cents. Worth exactly what you paid for them. Nothing more. Nothing less.

*** All stats taken from http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings ***

Tags: 2013, Draft, Redskins 25 Comments »

by Steve Shoup

Positions the Redskins Can Find the Most Value Late

March 5, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

While much of the draft is understandably focused on the first four rounds, hitting on a higher percentage of late round picks picks can really help a team become a top contender. This is especially true for the Redskins given that they are without a first round pick the next two years (and have traded away numerous high picks in recent years) and are dealing with the salary cap penalty. The Redskins need to find as many cheap contributors and key back-ups as possible. While they could add key back-ups at positions like the offensive line, corner and safety (and very well may need to), I'm going to focus on positions that can be addressed in the 5th round or later than can possibly contribute this year.

Running back:

The Redskins are a run first team, rushing about 53% of the time last season. Even with the emergence of rookie sensation Alfred Morris, running back is a serious need as he can't be expected to carry the RB/FB load 89% of the time like he did last year. Also running back is one of the highest injured positions in football. Whether it is for 1-3 games or a significant injury that could knock him out for longer, the Redskins need depth here. The good news is it is a deeper RB draft and since they don't need a starter they can easily find good number 2 or change of pace backs (some could handle both roles) in the 5th-7th rounds.

Tight end:

The Redskins only have one tight end on their roster and it's conversion WR Niles Paul. So far Paul has proved himself to be a valuable member of the Redskins on Special Teams, but has yet to make significant contributions on offense. Logan Paulsen is also likely to return as a restricted free agent, but he's been a little streaky and he would be set to be an unrestricted free agent next season. The Redskins need to find a tight end who can at least be a decent number two TE. Given how much they run they use a lot of two tight end sets. The Redskins could also target a movement TE to try to create mismatches in their offense, and to replace the potential that Fred Davis brought to the team. Whether the Redskins are targeting a two way TE, a blocking tight end or a movement tight end, there should be a number if interesting ideas late in the draft. These are guys who should be able to see 350-500 snaps as a rookie (plus special teams work).

Wide Receiver:

Receiver is an interesting case because it's not really a need this year. Even if Santana Moss were to be cut and a need would arise for a slot receiver, it likely won't get filled by the draft. Except for elite receivers and a few other exceptions, receivers typically don't offer much early impact. So whether the Redskins draft a receiver in the 2nd or 3rd round or wait until the 6th round won't have much impact on this season. With a depth chart featuring Garcon, Moss, Morgan, Hankerson, A. Robinson and Briscoe, the Redskins don't have a great need for receiver this year. Next year though is a different story as Moss, Morgan, and Briscoe are all free agents. Whether the Redskins want a smaller quicker receiver who could be a slot option in 2014 or a bigger more physical receiver to play on the outside, they will have options in the late round. Again outside of special teams work they aren't likely to offer much of an impact, but since the same is true of all receivers that is why they are listed here.

Defensive Line:

The Redskins are likely to keep 6-7 defensive linemen, and while the starters are pretty well set, depth is always an issue. The defensive line position has one of the highest levels of rotation among any position in the NFL. Even premier starters don't play much more than 75% of the snaps, even when they are fully healthy. The Redskins could use some better depth here, and while they may not be the top back-up or two a 6th or 7th defensive lineman could still see 150-200 snaps, even if there aren't any major injuries. Washington could also look for a guy who specializes in rushing the passer given their weakness as a whole there.

Rush linebacker:

Last year when Brian Orakpo went down with injury the Redskins pass rush became non-existent. Rob Jackson filled in well as a whole, but saw most of his impact come from dropping into coverage or run defense, the two lesser responsibilities of his role. Orakpo should be back fully healthy and Jackson will be there for depth as a restricted free agent, but he will likely be gone after next year. Even with Orakpo fully healthy the Redskins could use a back-up rush linebacker who can specialize at rushing the passer. Both Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan could use some plays off to help keep them fresh late in the games and season. Also the team could find ways to have all three on the field together in certain pass situations.

Punter:

Sav Rocca is a free agent and the Redskins can't afford to spend much money here. They would also be wise to find a punter who can handle kick-off duties given that it is not Kai Forbath's specialty. For all the talent that we think about when it comes to football, it really comes down to a game of field position. It doesn't matter how good your offense or defense is, your chances for a score dramatically increase as you move the starting position down the field. This is especially key for the Redskins to be good at given that their defense is their biggest weakness. If the Redskins can land a cheap young punter in the late rounds, particularly one who can kick-off it should be a no-brainer.

Tags: Washington Redskins 1 Comment »

by Steve Shoup

Redskins #MockOne Results

February 26, 2013 in Washington Redskins Draft

MockOne is a draft where bloggers and draftniks of all 32 teams come together to conduct a draft. Teams are on the clock and are capable of trading with G.M.'s of other teams to help add to some of the realism. I was the G.M. of the Washington Redskins and below is a run down of the Redskins picks and my thoughts with those selections. For the full Mock go here

2. S Eric Reid, LSU-

-I couldn't believe the way these safeties were falling as just Vaccaro and Cyprien were off the board when my pick came up. I originally tried to swing a couple trade down deals but didn't feel I was getting enough value back in counter offers, and with Reid still there staying put seemed to work. Reid isn't as consistent as I'd like to see, but he has elite potential and should be considered a great value at this pick.

3. OL Barrett Jones, Alabama-

-I love Barrett Jones and this is ridiculously low for him (though I realize some people bump him down) No he would test the best at the Combine if he were allowed to workout, but the kid can play football. He was an All-SEC guard, before moving to LT his junior year where he won the Outland Trophy and was an All-American, then he moved to center this past year where he won the Rimington award. He plays with excellent technique is and is incredibly smart. He's also a leader and shows incredible toughness, as he played in the National Championship Game with torn ligaments in his foot. He could probably play any position on the line, though is probably best suited inside at either guard or center. He would maybe get a RT look, but really he should compete and win the starting LG job.

4. OL David Quessenberry, San Jose State-

-Another offensive lineman I'm pretty high on. Quessenberry has a lot of versatility like Jones, but he's probably best suited at RT. He should be capable of competing and even winning the RT job at some point this season. Offensive linemen have the benefit of helping in both the run and pass game, and Quessenberry and Jones should make RG3 and Morris that much more dangerous. I considered some corners and safeties, but didn't feel there was any good value here, when I couldn't trade back I went with Quessenberry.

5. OLB/DE John Simon, Ohio State-

-I really didn't go into this draft thinking I'd be taking John Simon, and never would I have thought I would take him with a late 5th round pick. Simon is a two year captain at Ohio State, who has always gotten praise for his leadership and work ethic. While not working out at the Combine due to injury he's expected to test well at his Pro Day, given his dedication to working out. He was highly productive these past two years and was first team All-Big Ten this past season. He's a bit shorter than most teams will like as a DE/OLB, but he can get pressure and get penetration, there is zero reason to have him fall this far. The Redskins pass rush was pretty non-existent without Brian Orakpo last season and that can't happen again. Simon gives them depth in that department, and Haslett can get creative he will find a way to have Orakpo, Kerrigan and Simon all on the field together at once.

5. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon-

-Barner was another guy I was slightly surprised to see this low. While there are questions about how he can do running inside or in any feature back role, he's a tremendous value at this point. Barner would be a great complement to Alfred Morris and the perfect weapon for the zone read offense. He can help also by catching balls out of the backfield and returning kicks/punts.

6. TE Michael Williams, Alabama-

-I think this is a good value pick for Michael Williams. No he's not going to stretch the field or put up great receiving numbers, but he fits the Redskins perfectly. The Redskins run the ball 53% of the time last season and were among the league's worst teams at throwing the ball deep (over 20 yards). Williams may still not be a great receiving option, but he should do well in the short area, particularly the red zone. Adding him in addition to the offensive linemen, should make everyone else better. Griffin should have a lot more time in the pocket and Morris won't have to deal with breaking so many tackles, at or behind the line of scrimmage.

7. CB Micah Hyde, Iowa-

-Hyde is a nice value pick here in the late 7th round. He fills a need position and has shown some starting potential down the line. He should help on special teams early in his career as well.

Tags: Washington Redskins 11 Comments »