Final Look at the 2014 Redskins Draft

By: Justin Partlow

After doing a player by player breakdown of each draft pick, I wanted to then go and give one last final look at the draft class and give then a preliminary look at the 2015 draft and what route it could go as well. This draft class at first was given pretty low marks by some, but after carefully reviewing it and looking at the team depth chart, it makes sense that they chose to go the route of developmental guys who can really provide value moving forward even if it isn’t as noticeable in 2014. So with that said let’s take one last look at this class

When sitting down on Friday night of the draft, I had it almost in my head that they would be taking an OT at 34 or if they traded down in round 2 they would take one there. After the Cowboys trade I knew it could then be an OLB target, but still had held out hope that it could be an OT. When the pick of Trent Murphy was announced, there was that mixed audible reaction out of my mouth. Looking back at the pick, I would have preferred someone such as Jeremiah Attaochu, but Murphy makes sense as he could be seen as insurance for Ryan Kerrigan, and also provides another guy who can put his hand in the dirt and can pass rush from that DT position if Haslett implements the nascar packages again. After that selection I felt that the team would go either OT or secondary help. Getting Morgan Moses at 66 was a great move and if he can continue his trajectory seen in his senior year, then the Redskins have a long term starter at RT for years to come. Finally the Redskins took this OG in Spencer Long who wasn’t as well known, but because of the knee injury he had he wasn’t able to take fully show his ability he had in 2012. Long can immediately compete for the RG spot in 2014 and it wouldn’t surprise me if he did so.

After day two came day three, which is really about getting those value picks and then finding guys who can do one thing better than anyone else. The Redskins used that mindset to get guys who they felt were good fits both on special teams as well as upgrades at positions they can use help at. Bashaud Breeland has the ability to be a starting caliber CB, but will need a bit of a red shirt year to learn and refine his technique. Then adding guys like Ryan Grant and Lache Seastrunk will provide more weapons for the disposal of RG3, HC Jay Gruden and OC Sean McVay. Grant will make his name as someone who can play special teams along with being a slot WR. Seastrunk is the dynamic homerun threat at RB that many fans have wanted for years with his ability to take any run and turn it into a touchdown. Finally the Redskins rounded out the draft with Ted Bolser and Zach Hocker as the final picks. Bolser can compete as the #3 TE, but almost figures to be a candidate to get a year on the PS before he can become the #3 TE. Hocker could unseat Kai Forbath as the team’s only kicker, but could at worst be kept as a kickoff specialist.

So with that said what can we expect from the Redskins in the 2015 draft? If this year is any suggestion the Redskins are really leaning on the idea of a BPA approach, but also a very forward look for the team. If that’s the case then I’d look for them to continue that approach with the CB class along with S class. With the Redskins having a 1^st round pick again after the RG3 trade, I’d not be surprised to see them target those classes early. 2015 will be a big year both drafting as well as development for the Redskins and could lead to very good results in the future.