Seven Round Washington Redskins 2010 NFL Mock Draft

It has been a decade filled with highs and lows, sadness and hope, and anger and disbelief under Daniel Snyder's ownership.

Always the fan, Snyder has run the Redskins his way and the foundation of the billion dollar franchise was starting to crumble.

in an effort to maintain the franchise's elite financial status, it appears Snyder has decided to allow football personnel to run and manage the franchise.
He wisely hired salary cap guru Bruce Allen as the GM, and 2-time Super Bowl champion coach Mike Shanahan as the team's vice president and head coach.

In need of a major overhaul, the Redskins can rebuild quickly with two strong football minds, a non-salary capped NFL season, and the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Round 1 - 4th Pick - T Russell Okung, Oklahoma State

Assuming Tampa Bay passes on tackle Russell Okung from Oklahoma State with the third pick in the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins will waste very little sending their draft card to the podium. As NFL Commissioner Roger Gooddell reads the name Russell Okung, half of Redskin Nation will jubilantly cheer while the other half will angrily toss their television remotes across the room.

Those who rejoice understand Okung fills a huge void left by perennial Pro Bowl tackle Chris Samuels’ pending retirement. The Redskins’ offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2009 and was one of the worse lines in the NFL.
Okung’s selection cements Shanahan’s commitment to incumbent quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell, who is a restricted free agent, will likely be retained by the Redskins on a two to three year contract.

The Redskins’ faithful who had hoped Sam Bradford would be the team’s savior as the fourth pick in the 2010 draft will be hugely disappointed.
Both GM Bruce Allen and Coach Mike Shanahan understand that this has to be a “Can’t Miss” pick. The selection of Sam Bradford is a hi-risk, hi-reward pick. However, with Bradford’s shoulder injury in the back of their minds and a formidable quarterback already on the team’s roster, they will take the safest and smartest route and select Okung.

Best case scenario: Tampa Bay selects a defensive player ahead of the Redskins leaving the door open for Washington to rebuild their offensive line by selecting Russell Okung.

Worst case scenario: Tampa Bay selects T Russell Okung. The Redskins won’t scramble, but they will likely move out of the fourth slot. By dropping to the middle of the first round, the Redskins could acquire a third round pick to replace the pick they lost when they selected DE Jeremy Jarmon in the 2009 Supplemental Draft. With a mid-first round pick one of the following players will be available; T Anthony Davis – Rutgers, T Brian Bulaga –Iowa, or T Trent Williams – Oklahoma

Most realistic scenario: T Russell Okung – Oklahoma State. The first piece of Mike Shanahan’s rebuilding project is a monster left tackle that will protect quarterback Jason Campbell’s blind side.

Round 2 - 37th Pick - ILB Sean Lee, Penn State

Although the Redskins can’t afford to take a risk with their first round selection, they certainly can take a chance on Penn State ILB Sean Lee with their second round selection. Lee, once projected as a mid-first round pick before suffering an ACL injury last spring, would be a steal for the Redskins if he is fully recovered.

Lee brings a nastiness you look for in a linebacker on the field, while off the field he provides the leadership skills owner Daniel Snyder seeks from all his players. New defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is expected to institute a 3-4 base defense next season. A sure tackler with a tireless motor, Lee is the perfect fit to play alongside veteran linebacker London Fletcher on the inside.

Best case scenario: USC S Taylor Mays has dropped in the eyes of many scouts, but if he slides to this slot in the second round he will fill a void the Redskins have been unable to fill since the passing of S Sean Taylor. Shanahan’s defenses were anchored by a safety similar in size in S Steve Atwater. Mays would allow Haslett to move LaRon Landry to his natural position at strong safety.

Worst case scenario: CB Kyle Wilson from Boise State. Assuming the Redskins let Carlos Rogers go as a restricted free agent to acquire additional draft picks, Wilson could fill two holes for a team that resembles a slice of Swiss cheese. In addition to his CB play, Wilson excels at punt returns and would certainly supplant Antwaan Randle El.

Most realistic scenario: ILB Sean Lee from Penn State is a bit of a risk, but if healthy, the Redskins just added a multiple Pro Bowl player to one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Round 3 - 68th Pick - Forefeited

The Washington Redskins third round pick was forfeited with the selection of DE Jeremy Jarmon in the 2009 NFL Supplemental Draft.

Jarmon suffered a season ending knee injury halfway through the 2009 season. Prior to the injury Jarmon was used sparingly by former Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache. This was a bit of head scratcher as Jarmon produced when given the chance to play.

Blache, who was not a big fan of playing rookies, never allowed Jarmon to see extensive playing time. During his limited 2009 rookie season Jarmon provided a glimpse of the future, and the future looks good. Versatility is his greatest asset. With a fine mix of speed and strength, Jarmon has the muscle to line up inside on passing downs, and his quick burst off the line is ideal for a 3-4 defensive end.

Overall, this was a well invested third round pick for the Washington Redskins

Note: The Redskins will attempt to replace this missing pick. The team has several restricted free agents who will likely be tenured with a third round pick as part of the compensation package.

If the Redskins obtain a third round pick, this is where I expect them to draft a quarterback for the future.

Possible QBs who will be considered and possibly available:

Tim Tebow, Florida - He may slide and worth the risk.
Dan Lefevour, Central Michigan - Heady leader with a quick release.
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State - May not be a third round pick. Has a strong work ethic and he'll be an NFL QB no matter what round he is selected.

Round 4 - 101st Pick - G Mike Johnson, Alabama

With this pick, Redskins fans will be clamoring for a running back with speed to replace Clinton Portis. Perhaps the Redskins will select Mississippi’s Dexter McCluster with their fourth round pick? The undersized back would provide the Redskins with some much needed speed, a projected 10-15 “touches” a game type of back, McCluster is a part time player and the Redskins need full time players to fill a number of holes.

Enter Alabama guard Mike Johnson, who is a three year starter and a member of the National Champion's Crimson Tide. At 6’5 ½” the enormous lineman is not the bulky drive blocker one would anticipate from a player his size. Johnson has long arms and excels with technique.

He led the way for Alabama RB Mark Ingram to win the Heisman Trophy and his angle techniques are ideal for a Shanahan zone blocking offense.

Best case scenario: Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount has matured as a man and slides to this selection in the draft. A big bruiser of a back, Blount would have been a first round pick had he not provided a glimpse of his immaturity in front of a national audience when he punched a taunting Boise State football player after a defeat.

Blount has to convince NFL personnel that he is a different man following his regrettable incident. He is a 25 to 28 carries a game back that can grind out the tough yards.

Worst case scenario: Assuming the Redskins decide to allow CB Carlos Rogers to leave as a restricted free agent, CB Chris Cook from Virginia would provide the Redskins with some needed size at the defensive back position. At 6’2 1/2” Cook provides a physical presence in bump and run coverage the Redskins need opposite CB DeAngelo Hall. CB’s Kevin Barnes and Justin Tryon are undersized and are best suited as nickel and dime defensive backs.

Most realistic scenario: If the Redskins don’t select G Mike Johnson, it will likely be another linemen to help rebuild an ailing offensive line.

Round 5 - 132nd Pick - Ben Tate

It has been in the later rounds where current Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has found his "Diamonds-in-the-Roughs" at the running back position over the years. Auburn RB Ben Tate may not be the next Terrell Davis, but he’s a heavy workload running back the Redskins covet.

Not necessarily great at any one thing outside his work ethic, Tate would provide decent speed and solid hands to a Redskins team without a proven number one running back—this assuming the Redskins do not obtain short term solution, RB Chester Taylor, as a free agent prior to the draft.

Best case scenario: RB Toby Gerhart slides to this spot because of his lack of speed. The reincarnation of former Redskins great John Riggins at the running back position, Gerhart is a perfect fit for the Redskins. The likelihood that he will slide beyond the fourth round is slim and the Redskins will pass on Gerhart in the fourth to select offensive line help.

Worst case scenario: Connecticut RB Andre Dixon shared team offensive MVP honors on the Huskies football team with current Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown in 2008. If Dixon can have the same impact Brown had with the Colts, this would be a solid pick in the fifth round.

Most likely scenario: If Ben Tate slides this far down in the draft, Shanahan will snatch him up and immediately proclaim that Tate is the team’s starter at running back.

Round 6 - 165th Pick - Traded to Miami

Pick was traded to the Miami Dolphins as compensation for "One-and-Done" DE Jason Taylor who returned to the Dolphins upon his release from the Redskins.

Note: The Redskins will attempt to fill this vacant spot via compensation from several restricted free agents.

Round 7 - 196th Pick - S Klint Kubiak, Colorado State

Outside of his father and current Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak, no one knows S Klint Kubiak better than Mike Shanahan. Known commodities make for easy selections. Shanahan, in need of defensive back help may beat papa Kubiak to the punch.

Kubiak can play both strong and free safety, as well as excel on special teams. Having been around the pro game since birth, Kubiak understands what is expected of a professional. This may be a reach even in the seventh round, but little is known about Kubiak whose 2009 season ended prematurely after suffering a pectoral muscle injury.

He won’t wow anyone with his combine scores, but Shanahan knows the unknown, the intangibles Klint Kubiak can bring to the Redskins.

Best case scenario: Alabama K Leigh Tiffin would be a solid pick in the seventh round assuming he is not selected prior. If the Redskins do not obtain a veteran free agent kicker during the offseason (i.e. Cincinnati Bengal‘s Shayne Graham), the next best thing would be Tiffin. Tiffin made a number of clutch kicks for the Tide during their National Championship run and would make sense if the Redskins feel K Graham Gano is not the answer.

Worst case scenario: Undersized QB Max Hall from BYU will like slide in the draft as he barely stands six feet tall. Assuming the Redskins do not take a quarterback earlier in the draft to groom behind Jason Campbell and Colt Brennan, Hall would be a safe pick in the seventh round.

Most likely scenario: It is unlikely the Redskins will take Kubiak in the seventh round, but at this point it is anybody’s guess. If Shanahan is unable to obtain a running back like Ben Tate earlier in the draft, here are some names he may look out in the seventh round:

Michael Smith, Arkansas – Small at 5’7” but the third fastest running back in the draft.
Lonyae Miller, Fresno State – Had a knee injury and was a back-up. He is the type of player that slides under the radar.
Lamarcus Coker, Hampton – Second fastest RB in the draft. A local product whose stock may rise in the draft if he runs faster than his previously clocked 4.39 40 at the combines.