2011 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins Top Positions of Need
Usually, Redskins fans are excited during the offseason and free agent signings are plentiful. The 2011 offseason is quite the contrary. With a questionable lockout situation and a new front office in place in Washington, the Redskins will focus heavily on their selections in this year’s NFL Draft—set to begin Thursday, April 28th.
Although the team has a total of eight draft selections in seven rounds, including the 10th overall pick, head coach Mike Shanahan and the war room are up against a tall order without would-be crucial selections in both the third and fourth rounds. As it has been in past years, the Redskins are in need of filling numerous holes in their roster and the front office will need to expend every bit of knowledge, wisdom and telepathy that they have in order to call this incoming draft class a success. Analyzing needs and understanding the team’s priority at each position in the draft process is half the battle.
First, taking a look at the offensive side of the ball, the Redskins could use a starter and/or serious help at almost every position. Along with my two cents, I’ve included what I think the Redskins’ front office believes is their ideal pick, their more likely pick and their potential steal at that specific position.
No. 1: Quarterback
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Considering the team’s current starter is fourth-year backup John Beck (who hasn’t thrown a pass since 2007), I’d say the quarterback position is one of the team’s biggest needs on either side of the ball.
Other than Beck, the team is looking at Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman. McNabb is owed a lot of money and his chances of returning are less than slim. As for Grossman, he seems to have won some people over last season (not me), but he isn’t even under contract at this point.
Although I don’t think Shanahan will look for a quarterback with the team’s first-round pick, I believe it’s almost a guarantee that he addresses the position in the second round.
Ideal Pick: Blaine Gabbert - Rumors have Gabbert possibly falling past Cincy, Arizona and San Fran
More Likely: Jake Locker
Potential Steal: Colin Kaepernick
No. 2: Offensive Line
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The only reason why I don’t rank the line as a top priority for the Redskins’ offense is because I do believe in Shanahan’s scheme and I think he can get a lot out of a little when it comes to lineman. But, I also understand that Shanahan isn’t a miracle worker and that the offensive trench is a gaping hole for this team.
Trent Williams had a decent rookie season at left tackle, and I think he’ll be fine with a full year under his belt. Kory Lichtensteiger won the coaches over last season and took over for veteran Derrick Dockery at guard. Reverting back to the fact that Shanny gets more out of less, I’m willing to see Lichtensteiger for a full season at left guard.
Unlike the left side, that prides itself on youth and upside, the center position and beyond is a serious issue. Center Casey Rabach was abused enough last season, and the 34-year-old veteran is clearly done as an NFL starter. The right guard position is somewhat of a platoon role ever since Artis Hicks (33) was injured and fifth-year plug-in Will Montgomery is far from the answer. And finally, as much as I’d like to say that Jammal Brown (30) is capable of holding down the right tackle spot, I think his injury risk is enough to make Shanahan think about the future.
Unless Shanahan trades back in the first round to gain a selection somewhere between 14 and 25, I don’t believe that the Redskins look to address the offensive line until the fifth round. That being said, I think there’s talent to be had in the later rounds of this draft, and I wouldn’t look at this draft strategy as a negative.
Ideal Pick: Gabe Carimi (OT) - A reach at 10, but a possibility in the case of a trade-back
More Likely: Late-Round Prospect
Potential Steal: Jake Kirkpatrick (C)
No. 3: Wide Receiver
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After spending the last six seasons as the top-target for the Redskins, I can’t say enough about Santana Moss and his offensive production. However, Moss will be 32-years-old this season, and the wide receiving corps pretty much drops off after him. I’m a believer in 28-year-old Anthony Armstrong, who put together a solid rookie season last year, but I don’t think he’s the Redskins’ future No. 1 target. Malcolm Kelly remains to be the team’s big-target potential after spending all of last season on IR, but his production in his first three NFL seasons has been so minimal that Redskins fans know not to hold their breath on his possible production.
After those three, the team is left with Terrance Austin (a guy that I think can be a contributor on this team with more experience) and Brandon Banks (whose primary role is as a returner/special teamer).
Like the offensive line, Shanahan could find receiving targets in the later part of this draft. And just for added confidence, Shanahan had a 1994 undrafted free agent receiver named Rod Smith while he was coaching in Denver. Not to say that they’re the next Rod Smith, but late-round receivers to keep an eye on could be Vincent Brown, Terrance Tolliver, Ronald Johnson, Ryan Whalen, Jeff Maehl and Dane Sazenbacher.
Ideal Pick: A.J. Green – He’ll be gone somewhere between No. 4 and No. 6
More Likely: Late-Round Prospect
Potential Steal: Terrance Tolliver
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No. 1: Linebacker
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Now, taking a look at the team’s needs on the other side of the ball, I think it might be the defense that has the more pressing needs. Again, I’ve included the picks that I believe the Redskins’ front office is thinking in terms of an ideal pick, a more likely scenario and a potential steal in the latter rounds.
In the team’s second year in the 3-4 scheme, the Redskins are in desperate need of upgrades throughout the linebacking corps. The veteran London Fletcher in the middle and second-year outside pass-rusher Brian Orakpo are the only two proven players in the new system. Rocky McIntosh is more fit for the 4-3, and the verdict is still out on guys like Lorenzo Alexander, Perry Riley and Chris Wilson. As any fan will tell you the Redskins need a pass-rusher opposite the young Orakpo for a number of reasons.
For starters, adding a pass-rusher to the other side will help to decrease the number of double-teams and/or holds on Orakpo. Secondly, more rush on opposing passers makes the secondary’s job easier— and the Redskins’ secondary could definitely use it. And finally, the Redskins were only 25th in the league last year in sacks and 31st in total yards allowed. Needless to say, guys like Robert Quinn, Von Miller and Brooks Reed would drastically help this linebacker unit.
Ideal Pick: Von Miller - Don’t see him falling to No. 10
More Likely: Robert Quinn
Potential Steal: Quan Sturdivant (if they gain a third or fourth) or Nate Irving
No. 2: Defensive Line
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The defensive stats listed above from last season apply to this position as well, but there’s a reason why I place the front line at No. 2 instead of No. 1. Thanks to the improved play of defensive end Adam Carriker and nose tackle Anthony Bryant towards the end of last season, Shanahan and the defensive coordinator Jim Haslett have to be a little excited. That’s not to say that Carriker and Bryant are perennial Pro Bowlers, but I did like what I saw.
That being said, the Redskins are still forced to play aging veterans and players that are seen as unfitting or questionable. One of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft class is California defensive end Cameron Jordan—a guy with experience in the 3-4 and the potential to be a solid pro for many years. Other 3-4 defensive line prospects to keep an eye on could be J.J. Watt, Ryan Kerrigan and Muhammed Wilkerson.
Ideal Pick: Marcell Dareus - Gone within top-five picks
More Likely: Cameron Jordan
Potential Steal: Ian Williams (NT)
No. 3: Cornerback
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It baffles me when I talk to people about the upcoming draft and they refuse to believe that the secondary is a position of need for the Redskins. And so I remind them, our starting corners for next season at this point are DeAngelo Hall and Kevin Barnes. What happened to Carlos Rogers? Well, he believes that he’s underpaid and he’s sure that he can make more money elsewhere. Consider Rogers gone already.
With the recent signing of O.J. Atogwe to join LaRon Landry at the safety spot, I’m confident in both of those guys and their backups like Chris Horton, Kareem Moore and Macho Harris. But when you look at the corners after Hall (who isn’t even a lockdown corner), you’re left with Barnes (in his second year), Byron Westbrook and Phillip Buchanon. If that’s not a valid argument for labeling cornerback as a position of need, I’ll go toe-for-toe with Joe Jacoby.
Ideal Pick: Patrick Peterson – Best player in this draft won’t last past No. 7
More Likely: Prince Amukamara
Potential Steal: Rashad Carmichael or Kendric Burney
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