Washington Redskins: QB or OL with Fourth Pick in NFL Draft?

The debate over the fourth pick in the upcoming NFL draft has two major sides among Redskins fans.

One side (the majority) says Washington should use its first pick to select an offensive lineman. The other side (the minority) contends it would be better to use such a high pick on a franchise quarterback.

First, the majority's argument is solid. The porous Redskins line is in need of a major overhaul, preferably one that includes a strong infusion of youthful talent. "Band-aid" free-agents who are 30-plus and past their primes will not be the long term answer. Chris Samuels, the rock at left tackle for so many years, is headed for retirement and will leave behind a major hole.

In opposition of selecting a quarterback at No. 4, the majority says it doesn't matter who the quarterback is if he can't get protection. In addition, some among the majority claim there isn't a franchise-caliber quarterback in this year's draft. 

The minority's argument is that quality linemen can be found elsewhere outside of the first round in the draft. The Redskins will also have a high second-round pick, which should allow them to pick up a good left tackle. With that pick, in addition to free agency and a possible trade—maybe Chris Cooley, for example—the Redskins should be able to put together a serviceable offensive line.

The minority also says the Redskins are in great need of a franchise quarterback, because Jason Campbell is not the answer for the future of the organization. The opportunity to pick so high in the draft is a rarity for the Redskins, and it is an excellent chance to pick up a talented signal caller.

While the majority says Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen are not worth a high first-round pick, the minority points to Drew Brees as an example of the flawed logic being used. Much like Bradford and Clausen, Brees wasn't given a high first-round grade because of two aspects of his game: his height, and his arm strength. Brees' accuracy seemed to be of secondary importance to some evaluators at the time. How did that story turn out in the end?

Bradford and Clausen are being picked apart the same way Brees was. "Bradford lacks elite arm strength and is injury-prone" and "Clausen doesn't have height." Meanwhile, the accuracy of both quarterbacks is being overlooked. Bradford has excellent accuracy, and Clausen isn't much of a drop-off. Too much weight is placed on the strength of a quarterback's arm by NFL scouts.

As a die-hard fan of the Washington Redskins, I am in the minority in terms of what I believe they should do with the fourth pick overall. I believe the quarterback position should always be of the highest importance for any team, because consistent winning in the NFL is dependent on good quarterback play.

Look no further than the last Super Bowl for a prime example: Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Brees is the main reason for the rejuvenation of the New Orleans organization. Manning is the reason why the Colts come out with a winning record year after year. Is it because they have the best offensive lines in the league? No, but a good quarterback can make an offensive line look much better than it actually is.

For the future of the Washington Redskins, I hope the fourth pick is used on a quarterback. Use the rest of the draft, free agency, and possible trades to upgrade the offensive line. Trying to get a top-tier quarterback is always worth the risk for an NFL team, because it can mean years of winning records.

The same can't be said for picking linemen high. Did selecting Chris Samuels at number three overall in 2000 result in years of winning for the Redskins? No, a lineman (even as great as Samuels) can't have such a dramatic effect on an NFL team. Only a quarterback, the most important position on the football field, can single-handedly change the fortunes of a team for years to come.

So, as a member of the minority, I'm hoping for Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen in April. Sure, either one is a gamble, as is any pick in the draft, but the quarterback is the one position always worth throwing the dice for.