NFL Mock Draft 2011: Mike Shanahan And The Washington Redskins Select...

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The Washington Redskins have had an up-and-down season, sitting at 5-6 despite wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, two of the NFC''s (and NFL's) top teams.

Donovan McNabb has disappointed thus far with a 11:13 TD-INT ratio, and the team's backfield has been decimated by injuries to Clinton Portis and Ryan Torain.

Mike Shanahan has a decent team to work with, but he's going to need to make some serious improvements next year if he expects the Redskins to contend in the always-competitive NFC East.

Based on today's records, the Redskins would pick somewhere to 17th-21st (depending on how tiebreakers turn out), giving them a good shot to add some quality talent to their roster.

Accounting for their lost fourth-rounder from the McNabb trade (which will become a third-rounder if McNabb stays healthy and the Redskins win nine games), here's a prediction of who the Redskins will pick up in next year's draft.

So, with the 17th (ish) pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select...

1. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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With A.J. Green and Julio Jones likely gone by the middle of the first round, the next-best receiver on the board will be Blackmon, the NCAA's most productive wide receiver by a country mile this year.

Blackmon has 102 receptions for 1665 yards and 18 TD, and has gone over 100 yards receiving in every single game this season.  He also has scored in every game.

Just consider this: in his worst outing of the year (last week), Blackmon had 8 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Add him to the Redskins' corps of Santana Moss and deep-threat Anthony Armstrong and all of a sudden the Redskins look pretty good at receiver.

But The Redskins will have to be extra careful in the interview process to make sure Blackmon's DUI arrests aren't signs of things to come for him in the NFL.

2. Stefan Wisiniewski, C, Penn State

The Redskins are ranked dead-last in the NFL on runs up the middle (according to www.footballoutsiders.com).

Casey Rabach has been injured and ineffective at center, so unless Will Montgomery proves to be a big improvement, the Redskins have to address the center position in next year's draft.

Enter Wisiniewski, a great all-around blocker and leader for Joe Pa's Nittany Lions.

3. Chris Rucker, CB, Michigan State

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Rucker, like Blackmon, will need to check out in the interview process due to a DUI, but assuming he does, he'd be just what the doctor ordered for the Redskins.

The 6'1 200 lbs. Rucker is a big, physical corner who would complement DeAngelo Hall and Philip Buchanon's pure speed, and he would immediately improve the Redskins' 29th-ranked pass defense.

5. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia

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Devine could go earlier than this based on his production, but at 5'9" and 175 lbs, he'll likely get picked in the later rounds.

He would be a great home-run threat to complement the powerful Ryan Torain, and could give the Redskins a solid two-headed monster that Mike Shanahan would love to have.

6. Alex Henery, K, Nebraska

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Graham Gano hasn't been awful this year, but 21/28 with no field goals of over 50 yards aren't exactly the numbers of a top-flight kicker.

Henery should be the first kicker off the board -- he's supremely accurate with a cannon for a leg -- and if he's available here, the Redskins shouldn't hesitate to take him.

He's one of the best kicking prospects in recent memory.

7. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

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Dalton doesn't wow NFL scouts with his potential, but he's a proven winner who takes care of the ball.

He has underrated mobility, and would be worth a flier as a developmental quarterback in the seventh round if he's still available.

Comments

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What do you think?

Who else might the Redskins pick?

Would these be good selections?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

 

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.