Future Redskins?: 10 Players of Interest at the Senior Bowl

The 2012 Senior Bowl takes place tomorrow, January 28, at 3:00 p.m. in Mobile, Alabama. Mike Shanahan and the Redskins coaching staff has the privilege of coaching the South team in the 2012 Senior Bowl, which has given them a chance to scout potential players in April's draft.

As with most All-Star events prior to the draft, many of the big name players have opted not to play.

However, there are a number of good players that decided to play. There are also a few interesting players whom the Redskins should take a look—or two looks—at as potential draft selections. I've featured 10 players who fill a need for the Redskins and serve as potential draft selections.

William Vlachos

School: Alabama
Position: C
Height:  
Weight: 306

Projected Round: 6-7

A three-year starter at center, Will Vlachos was a rock at Alabama having started 40 consecutive games. Along with being a finalist for the 2011 Rimington Trophy, Vlachos was a first-team All-SEC selection and a second-team Walter Camp All-American. He's a technically sound player who is praised for leadership and work ethic.

Neither Will Montgomery nor Eric Cook is a natural center, and it would serve the Redskins well to draft a true center to compete for the starting position. Vlachos will be available in later rounds and can provide depth along a line that desperately needs it. Vlachos played in a run-dominated offense and will be beneficial in helping the Redskins improve their 25th-ranked rushing offense.   

Zebrie Sanders

School: Florida State 
Position: OL 
Height: 6'5" 1/2 
Weight: 308

Projected Round: 2

Zebrie Sanders is considered one of the top five offensive tackles in this year's draft, and for good reason. Sanders has made 50 career starts, including 36 consecutive games, and earned first-team All-ACC honors this past season. The four-year starter has great size and power (139 knockdown blocks for his career) and has the versatility to play both left tackle and right tackle.

Jammal Brown has played average, and Sanders could be his replacement for the present and future. Pairing Sanders with Trent Williams on the left side would give the Redskins two starting tackles for the next decade. The right tackle position, as of now, is question mark for the Redskins, and Sanders would be the answer.

Casey Hayward

School: Vanderbilt 
Position: DB 
Height: 5'11" 
Weight: 188

Projected Round: 4-5

Casey Hayward was Vandy's best defensive player last season and a big reason their defense was top 10 in passes intercepted. Hayward tallied five interceptions during the past regular season and added another two picks in the loss to Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl. The second-team All-America also recorded 62 tackles.

There is a steep drop off in talent in the defensive back department after D'Angelo Hall and Josh Wilson. The Redskins need to add a player to help in nickel packages and eventually replace Hall. Hayward is a ball hawk and sound tackler that would provide much-needed depth in the secondary.

Brandon Weeden

School: Oklahoma State 
Position: QB 
Height: 6'3-1/2"
Weight: 219

Projected Round: 3-4

Brandon Weeden capped off his prolific career at Oklahoma State with a historic senior season, including recording the top three passing games in OSU history. This past season, Weeden passed for 4,727 yards and 37 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. In the Fiesta Bowl, he threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Stanford. 

If the Redskins don't draft Robert Griffin III in the first round, then they must look to draft a QB in the later rounds. While the quarterback situation for the Redskins is a cloud of uncertainty (and trepidation), there are a couple of very known facts: 1) that Rex Grossman is not the answer, and 2) that John Beck is not the answer.

Grossman makes the team next season, but the Redskins would be better off replacing Beck with an able rookie such as Weeden. Weeden's age (28) is a factor, but he's been injury free and is relatively fresh, since he only played sparingly during his first two seasons at OK State. 

Markelle Martin

School: Oklahoma State 
Position: DB 
Height: 6'0" 3/4 
Weight: 203

Projected Round: 2-3

Markelle Martin was named to both a first-team Big 12 selection and a first-team All-America selection after finishing his senior season with 74 tackles and 11 pass breakups. In the Fiesta Bowl win over Stanford, Martin tallied nine tackles and a fumble recovery. He is a very physical player with great speed (4.43) and can tackle well.

LaRon Landry has ended this past season and the previous season on IR. His injury is a major concern and the strong safety has yet to decide whether or not he will undergo surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. Landry shows tremendous talent when he's on the field, but he's only played in half the games for the past two seasons.

When the free agency period begins, the Redskins will be skeptical to offer Landry a long term contract, and for good reason. If Landry is gone next season, the Redskins need to find a strong safety and and neither backup Reed Doughty or DeJon Gomes are likely replacements.

Martin is a great athlete and a big hitter whose aggressive play will be compatible with the Redskins' aggressive defense. 

Donnie Fletcher

School: Boston College 
Position: DB 
Height: 6'0 1/4" 
Weight: 201

Projected Round: 3-4

Donnie Fletcher's senior campaign was not as productive as his junior season, when he snagged five interceptions and made 58 tackles. He recorded two interceptions this past season, but that can be due to teams respecting his ability. Fletcher is fundamentally sound, can tackle and has good size and speed.

The Redskins' defensive back department lacks depth. Neither Kevin Barnes nor Byron Westbrook has played well enough in nickel packages. Phillip Buchanon surely will not be re-signed after a wasted 2011 season.

The Redskins need to add a player to help in nickel packages and eventually replace Hall. "Fletch" is a solid player that needs a couple of years to develop, but could add some depth to the secondary for next season.

Johnnie Troutman

School: Penn State 
Position: OL 
Height: 6'4 1/8" 
Weight: 325

Projected Round: 7-FA

Johnnie Troutman started every game for Penn State this past season and finished his career at Penn State with an impressive 32 starts. He has good size, is strong and is effective in run-oriented offenses. 

The Redskins need to add depth at the guard position. Erik Cook was the only backup guard to finish the season. Troutman is far from being a starter in the NFL, but would add some much needed depth.

Michael Egnew

School: Missouri 
Position: TE 
Height: 6'5 1/4" 
Weight: 251

Projected Round: 3-4

Mike Mayock recently named Michael Egnew as one of the top five tight ends available in the 2012 draft. Egnew was a consensus first team All-America after his junior season (90 rec., 762 rec. yards, five tds), but his numbers and draft stock slipped during his senior season (50 rec., 762 rec. yards, three tds).

Some of the drop off can be attributed to the loss of quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in last April's NFL draft. Egnew still had an impressive season and with his height and catching ability, he has the potential and ability to put up big numbers.

The tight end position is an area of intrigue for the Redskins: Chris Cooley missed 11 games last season and will be 30 years old at season's start. Fred Davis was having a great season before he was suspended four games for failing a drug test. Davis is also a free agent.

If Davis demands big dollars, the Redskins may not be quick to re-sign him. Egnew is one of the best receiving tight ends available and is a great red zone target. If the Redskins re-sign Davis and draft Egnew, they would boast one of the best TE duos in the NFC. If the Redskins don't re-sign Davis, then Egnew would be his replacement and has the ability to contribute immediately at a high level. 

Tony Bergstrom

School: Utah 
Position: OL 
Height: 6'5 1/2" 
Weight: 315

Projected Round: 3-4

An All-Pac-12 tackle, Tony Bergstrom has made 38 starts, including starts at both left and right tackle. In 2010, he didn't allow a sack. The three-year starter is rated as one of the 10 best offensive tackles in the draft, and is praised for his quick hands, work ethic and leadership. 

The offensive line has yet to play with any real consistency and has been a weak spot for the offense since the days of Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels. Jammal Brown's play on the right side of the offensive line has been disappointing. The Redskins need to find his replacement.

Bergstrom's ability to play both left and right tackle makes him an interesting prospect. Bergstrom and Trent Williams would give the Redskins two young tackles to anchor the o-line for the next decade or so. 

Jamell Fleming

School: Oklahoma 
Position: DB 
Height: 5'10 5/8" 
Weight: 202

Projected Round: 4

Jamell Fleming was a first-team All-Big 12 selection after a good senior season in which he had 60 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 pass breakups. His numbers would've been even better if not for two games he missed because of a knee injury. He was named the MVP of the Insight Bowl after he recorded seven tackles, three pass breakups and one interception in a 31-14 win over Iowa. 

The Redskins' defensive back department lacks depth. Neither Kevin Barnes nor Byron Westbrook has played well enough in nickel packages. Phillip Buchanon surely will not be re-signed after a wasted 2011 season.

The Redskins need to add a player to help in nickel packages and eventually replace Hall. Fleming had some off-the-field issues (academic cheating), but appears to be past them. Fleming is good in pass coverage, an area the Redskins need to improve. Fleming is a quick and athletic cover guy that can provide depth at cornerback and help in nickel packages.