2012 NFL Draft: Scenarios for the Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins fans, I want you to close your eyes. Imagine this year’s Heisman winner Robert Griffin III matriculating the ball down the field with ease, exercising the two-minute drill with precision all the while having thousands of fans cheering him on and wearing his jersey.

Now imagine him in Washington.

It’s hard to do so, right? The Washington Redskins are not used to a player of that caliber. An athlete that can make something out of nothing, get you to jump out of your seat and have the confidence to lead a team to victory in crunch time. By all means, Griffin may be the most exciting quarterback to come out since Mike Vick.

The reason for that dramatic anecdote is to not make any 'Skins fan feel any worse than they already do, but to know that the time is now. No, not the Philadelphia Eagles' version of “our time"—I mean now is the time to get our franchise quarterback.

No more experienced veterans like Mark Brunell or Donovan McNabb. No more laughable losers like Rex Grossman or John Beck (OK, that may be a little harsh). No more overall disappointments like Jason Campbell (that’s not entirely his fault) or Patrick Ramsey. Whether it’s a rookie like RG3 or Ryan Tannehill or soon-to-be-free-agent Matt Flynn.

The NFL has become a quarterback-driven league. You need a Pro Bowl-caliber, clubhouse leader who has the backing of his teammates and organization. He’s a guy that accepts all responsibility whether good or bad. A player who gets knocked down, but immediately gets helped up by one of his teammates.

The Trent Dilfers in the world are anomalies. Quarterbacks who are “game managers” are certainly respectable and could win if they have a lot of talent around them. Well, I hate to break it to you, but the Redskins need a lot more than a “game manager."

What you will find below is my inner workings as a GM. I run a perennial winner on Madden Football so that makes me qualified, right? (Please excuse my terrible attempt at humor.) I have put together five scenarios on how to approach the quarterback position come April’s draft.

Scenario No. 1: Draft Robert Griffin III with the Sixth Overall Pick

This is the ideal scenario. The Redskins get their potential franchise quarterback and do not have to mortgage any future draft picks or any core players on the roster.

Of the five teams picking ahead of Washington, it’s only the Cleveland Browns that may take a look at Robert Griffin III if they are unsettled with Colt McCoy.

Aside from Cleveland, the Seattle Seahawks or Miami Dolphins could trade up to take the Heisman winner as well.

For the second year in a row, the Redskins are getting screwed over (sorry, that’s the only appropriate verb I can think of) at the quarterback position.

Last year, Andrew Luck decided to stay in school, thus moving Cam Newton and Jake Locker up the draft boards. FYI, I was really high on Locker at No. 10 last year.

This year, Matt Barkley out of USC and Landry Jones out of Oklahoma are doing the same. I obviously have an infatuation with RG3, but I would have been perfectly fine with Barkley as the future quarterback of the franchise.

Jones was not on my radar, but teams picking in the middle of the first round could have taken him and now might focus their attention on acquiring Griffin instead.

Anyways, I would be shocked if RG3 slips to No. 6. He frankly has too much talent and I can only assume his draft stock will rise when he blows teams away in the interview process. Despite this being my No. 1 scenario, I deem this idea as unrealistic.

Scenario No. 2: Trade Up and Draft Robert Griffin III

If Mike Shanahan and the Redskins fall in love with Robert Griffin III, this seems to be the most likely approach to making him their franchise quarterback, which means the 'Skins will have to trade up to the No. 2 selection from the St. Louis Rams or the No. 3 selection from the Minnesota Vikings.

Now how much are the Redskins willing to give up? We can assume that they would surrender their first- and second-round picks for this year and the next as well and probably even more.

It’s a lot and please let me note that I am completely against mortgaging draft picks after the disasters we have witnessed as Redskins fans over the years. However, I am willing to make an exception when it comes to getting a quarterback.

As mentioned before, now is the time to get one. If Shanahan and the Redskins organization are buying into RG3, then they will make it happen. We all know that Dan Snyder is willing to oblige.

Scenario No. 3: Sign Matt Flynn and Stay at No. 6

Week 17 was Matt Flynn’s payday. His 480-yard and six-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions certainly had NFL scouts very interested in the upcoming free agent.

Flynn has a lot of great attributes other than his monster game last month. First off, he’s a proven winner, having won a national championship at LSU. He’s young and healthy with very little wear and tear on him.

I will admit, I am reluctant when it comes to signing Flynn. I hesitate that he’s developed more into the system of Green Bay with superior receivers around him in comparison to the Redskins.

The Arizona Cardinals are a prime example of this. They invested $60 million in another system guy in Kevin Kolb last offseason. If that’s the kind of contract Flynn wants, then I hope the Redskins shy away from him.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Flynn. I prefer him over Rex Grossman and John Beck. I also would rather pencil him in as the starter versus soon-to-be-rookies Ryan Tannehill and Nick Foles.

So let’s say Flynn ends up coming to Washington and we remain at the sixth overall spot, which leaves the 'Skins with a lot of options.

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon would be given consideration, however, I would be surprised if he falls out of the top five. LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne appears to be the best available corner in the draft. Shanahan could also use this to solve his inconsistencies at right tackle; Riley Reiff out of Iowa and Jonathan Martin out of Stanford could be given a look.

Scenario No. 4: Sign Matt Flynn and Trade Back for Additional Selections

I obviously don’t need to go into my thoughts on Matt Flynn again, so we will examine the possibility of trading back.

As I previously mentioned, I highly doubt Justin Blackmon lasts till the sixth spot and the same goes for Morris Claiborne. Therefore, Mike Shanahan can revert back to his strategy from last year and stockpile his picks like the New England Patriots.

The Redskins have major needs on the offensive line, especially the interior. Stanford guard David DeCastro is the highest-rated at his position; Wisconsin center Peter Konz is the same at his.

Wide receivers like Notre Dame's Michael Floyd and Alshon Jeffrey out of South Carolina could be available in the middle of the first round, and I think they should be given serious consideration even with Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Leonard Hankerson.

Cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick out of Alabama and Alfonzo Dennard out of Nebraska could be reachable. Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall seem to have the starting positions locked up, but the 'Skins defense is in need for a nickel corner, which should be treated like a starting position too.

Additionally, Mark Barron, the safety out of Alabama, could be given serious consideration if the team decides to part ways with either OJ Atogwe or LaRon Landry.

In my opinion, if we sign Flynn this is our best scenario. Not only can they acquire a starting-quality first-rounder, but could maybe find the same in the second round.

Just because I love formulating draft plans (look out Mel Kiper Jr. or Todd McShay, I’m coming for you—wishful thinking of course), let’s say the Redskins trade back in the middle of the first round and also acquire a second-rounder. Take the two second-round picks (our current second-round pick and the one via trade) and trade up for a late first-rounder.

Therefore, the 'Skins could potentially get two starting-quality prospects for the next decade, thus contributing to the youthful invasion of the roster. Anyways, just a thought.

Scenario No. 5: Reach on Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles or Brock Osweiler

We’ve seen this happen before. Last year, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder graded out as a second-round picks, however, the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings took them at Nos. 8 and 12 respectively. The same goes for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who was surprisingly taken 18^th overall in the 2008 draft.

The possibility of Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill would seem more likely if it wasn’t for his foot injury that will sideline him for the Senior Bowl and possibly the NFL combine.

After playing receiver for two seasons in College Station, Texas, Tannehill seems to have all the physical attributes of a starting NFL quarterback.

He stands 6’4" and weighs in at 222 lbs, and will most likely run in the 4.6-4.7 range in the 40-yard dash. The difference between Tannehill and Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck is that Luck and Griffin are NFL-ready. Tannehill will need a year or two to develop, which should not be a plan the Redskins are willing to take.

Nick Foles out of Arizona has a great arm, but I don’t see his stock going into the first round. Foles lacks overall athleticism, which should be a requirement due to the 'Skins' offensive line woes.

Brock Osweiler out of Arizona State is an interesting prospect. At 6’8", with a powerful arm he might draw some interest due to his potential. Once again, I put him under the same category as Foles.

In general, this is something the Redskins need to avoid, unless they decide to gamble again and acquire Peyton Manning. By the way, I’m completely against this “rumor." Then again, we’ve seen just about everything when it comes to assembling a roster.

Remember the media hype around Donovan McNabb in burgundy and gold? Now imagine one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history tarnishing his legacy in another uniform. Ugh.

I will repeat myself again, but the time is now to get their quarterback. Given the desperate need for this position, I doubt the Redskins are willing to draft a project-type player who is not ready to produce.