Why Washington Redskins Must Mortgage Draft in Order to Nab RGIII

In my latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, I have the Washington Redskins completing a trade with the Vikings that would give Minnesota the No. 6 overall pick, a fourth-rounder and the Redskins' first-round pick in 2013 in exchange for the No. 3 pick this season. 

Assuming Andrew Luck is already checking out real estate in Indianapolis, Baylor's Robert Griffin III has to be a guy on Mike Shanahan's radar. 

Blessed with an unbelievable combination of athleticism, speed and passing ability, Griffin oozes with uncapped potential, and the Redskins could most certainly use it. 

Franchise Need

Before browsing through a list of Redskins quarterbacks over the last 20 years or so, make sure you're mentally stable and not on the verge of questioning if the city of Washington will ever see a sports championship again. It's that bad. 

The Washington Redskins haven't had a decent quarterback in forever. And while I constantly receive flak for not acknowledging guys like Brad Johnson and Mark Rypien, I have a hard time believing that anyone was genuinely excited to have either guy as their team's quarterback. 

Seriously. Did even Johnson's finest hour in Burgundy and Gold emit anything close to the confidence that Green Bay fans have in Aaron Rodgers?

Would you take Mark Rypien's 1991 season over the last six seasons New Orleans has watched Drew Brees put an entire team on his back?

The Redskins are in dire need of a franchise quarterback, a face of the franchise. When there's a hot commodity like Robert Griffin III available and he's somehow attainable, you do whatever you can to get him on your football team.

The NFL is a quarterback league and teams are hard-pressed to witness consistent success without a quality signal-caller. The fact the Redskins haven't seen significant football in 20 years is no coincidence. 

Shanahan Needs

Despite the Mike Shanahan regime in Washington no longer being referred to as "new" and "fresh," new regimes in the NFL call for new quarterbacks. 

I know, I know. Shanahan shipped off Jason Campbell, he traded for Donovan McNabb and he staked his reputation on Rex Grossman—all of which were worthy enough of the "epic fail" label. But he hasn't drafted or acquired his guy yet.

Did anyone, including Shanahan, believe 35-year-old Donovan McNabb was the future of the Washington Redskins and the eventual leader to all things Lombardi?

Even with a "staked reputation," we're people willing to believe that Sexy Rexy and/or the mysterious John Beck were the second coming of Sammy Baugh?

Robert Griffin III appears to a perfect fit in Shanahan's offense. Typically, Shanahan likes his quarterbacks with a strong arm, half of a brain and the ability to make plays with his feet if need be. Consider Griffin a match. 

And when you're talking about mortgaging your future draft picks to land a single player, it's good to know he's as good a guy off the field as he is a quarterback on it. As for Griffin, he comes from a strong military home, he's working on his master's degree, he's already engaged and he has aspirations of attending law school. Move over, Tim Tebow. 

Next season will mark the third of Shanahan's five-year deal/plan. In my opinion, it's now-or-never for Shanahan to bring on his guy and do that whole "coach-up" thing that we always hear about. 

An Athlete at the Position

In today's game, it's hard to believe any coach would deny having interest in a mobile quarterback. 

Although Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady aren't known to be track stars, we at least know that they can get out of their own way if they need to (unlike guys like Rex Grossman). 

After what we've seen from Cam Newton in just his first season with Carolina, I think it has to make Griffin just a little more attractive to Shanahan and his staff. 

In my 2011 NFL Mock Draft, until he shot up the boards, I had Shanahan and the Redskins selecting Cam Newton—and I honestly believe Shanahan wanted him. Who wouldn't want a freakish athlete with a cannon for an arm at the helm of his team?

Well, consider RG3 a second chance for Shanahan that most coaches never even sniff. 

Griffin may not be the ideal 6'5" like Newton, but he possesses all the same football qualities in terms of arm, speed, strength, toughness, etc.

It has to be somewhat bothersome for Shanahan when he looks around the NFL and notices his roster is one of only a few that doesn't list a mobile quarterback as the team's starter. 

Intagibles

It's that annoying word you hate to hear throughout the entire lead-up to April's draft: "intangibles."

Though I understand how irritating it can be, I'm guilty of using the word myself. But, in all honesty, the intangibles of a top draft pick are extremely important. And when you're speaking in regards to your potential franchise quarterback, intangibles are a top priority.

Like I've mentioned before amidst this evident obsession for RG3, this young man has it all. Even beyond the skills of a football player, Griffin is a guy that can take on the pressures that come with being a starting quarterback in the NFL and he has everything it takes to become the face of a professional sports franchise. 

Military parents, maturity, leadership skills, positive attitude, commitment, well-spoken, intelligent, socially attractive, confident and any other delightful descriptions you can think of—they all apply with Griffin. 

Getting Robert Griffin III to the Redskins won't be a simple or inexpensive task. But it makes things a little easier when you know you're landing a decent guy, regardless of how he works out on the gridiron.