Redskins Weekly: NFL Draft Notes

1- One week away from the big weekend and the Eagles made some serious noise obtaining the second pick from the Browns. 

As I said last week I thought the Browns would be smart to move out of that spot.  They must read my stuff and I applaud them for the trade they pulled off.  Again like I said no one expects the Browns to good this year and waiting a year to get a QB like Deshaun Watson sounds better to me than Wentz.  But if they do have a solid feeling on one of the other guys in this years draft they have the ability to grab that QB.  And still have major picks to improve themselves.

As for the Eagles I am not a fan.  Of this trade or the whole off season.  As a Skins fan I remember when Marty was fired and Snyder brought back Vinny Cerrato as GM.  This is what I see in the Eagles putting Roseman back in power and now he feels like he has to show up Chip Kelly.

Now the Eagles have diminished a lot of the early picks over the next three drafts and at the same time used up a ton of cap space as well.  Giving them in the meantime a high priced starter, the highest price backup ever and now a high priced rookie QB in the fold.  They can try and trade Bradford now but will anyone take on that contract or be able to rework a deal with him?  And the Eagles who already are eating dead cap money on Roseman’s earlier shots at Kelly would have to add to this.  As they also look at giving $50 million plus guaranteed to Fletcher Cox.  Best of luck Howie.

2- I am not a draft expert as I don’t even watch the boring combine.  I admit that I did watch a ton of big time college football games last season so I feel I have some credibility to judge. 

The running back position is always a wildcard in any draft.  Some years no running backs are drafted high or even in the first round and then some years we have a guy go top ten.  This year it looks like we will in Ezekiel Elliott as he could go all the way up at number four.  Todd Gurley showed last year that taking a back in the top ten can work after teams had a couple seasons of worry after the Trent Richardson debacle.

But I watched Elliott and I liked Elliott a lot the past two seasons at Ohio State, especially down the stretch of their title run.  But say Elliott does go fourth to the Cowboys.  I am understanding of that completely.  I don’t think it is a huge reach if the Cowboys think he is a true Pro Bowl player from day one.  The Boys could still use defensive help especially with the guys they depend on to get to the QB getting suspensions recently.  But Elliott would be a huge hole filler.

But what about the second back who could off the board.  The Heisman trophy winner Derek Henry.  Where will he go?  It looks like maybe 2nd round or possibly 3rd?  I don’t understand the huge drop off.  Henry looks big and maybe the fears of Eddie Lacy last season worry some but he was big last season.  And the big dude broke away from defenders all season…like Clemson, like Mississippi State, like Ole Miss and like Wisconsin’s defenses.  Maybe it is a Trent Richardson/ Eddie Lacy effect like the old Penn State running back curse.  Back to the Cowboys who could grab defensive help at 4 and then snag Henry in the second.  I think that is a better option for them.

3- Quick Hits
A- I hope Laremy Tunsil didn’t have the “I’m the First Pick” hats made up for his family already.  Or maybe they can edit that to “I’m a First Round Pick” hat?
B- I think teams after St. Louis and Philly who want to grab QB’s will get nervous and take too high or move up too high to draft a Paxton Lynch.  I bet he goes top 15.  Will San Fran actually pull the string at 7 for him?
C- I talked about the Manuel Eye Test before with Henry talk but one guy I saw and didn’t like was Christian Hackenberg.  What is Jon Gruden talking about he should go 1st round?  Did you see him play in games?  I hear the o-line excuses but just don’t buy into that.
D- How would you feel if your Myles Jack and saw rumors your knee is a ticking time bomb?  I hope its not true but I really hope a team is not just saying this to scare the teams in the top 10 off.  Leave those shady moves to Trump, Clinton and Cruz.
E- The Johnny Manziel Award for trying to crush draft stock and keep yourself outta the league goes to Robert Nkemdiche for sure.  You want to buy a panther?  How high on synthetic dope to you have to be bring that up?  Last years winner, Randy Gregory, even thinks you are a moron.