Washington Redskins Mock Draft: Buy or Sell Matt Miller's Latest Picks

Matt Miller's latest mock picks for the Washington Redskins are naturally dominated by the first-round trade for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Given how the rumors regarding the St. Louis Rams' intention to trade and the Redskins' willingness to meet their demands are heating up, it's a good pick.

From there Miller has the Redskins selecting an extra weapon for their newly-designated franchise quarterback in the form of Ohio State wideout DeVier Posey. That this selection doesn't take place until the fourth round is an accurate reflection of the trade package the Redskins need to land Griffin.

Miller then has the Redskins selecting defensive players mostly the rest of the way, with some smart choices that answer pressing needs on Washington's burgeoning unit.

Here is a complete buy or sell list for Matt Miller's latest mock picks for the Redskins 2012 draft. 

Round 1: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: SELL

It is still this author's belief that the Redskins will be outbid by the Cleveland Browns in their attempts to move up and take Robert Griffin III. Matt Miller lays out the trade as the Redskins surrendering their first, second and third-round choices this April, along with first and second-round selections in the 2013 NFL draft.

This is certainly the kind of compensation any team can be expected to provide the St. Louis Rams for that coveted No. 2 slot. The Browns' two first-round selections put them in a slightly better position to engineer a trade, which carries a fair amount of risk for the Redskins.

After 6-10 and 5-11 seasons, Mike Shanahan would be taking a tremendous risk making a trade that will affect consecutive drafts and could contribute to two more seasons of futility.

Shanahan could opt instead for Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill. He played in a pro-style system and could possibly be developed under less pressure and expectation.

Both the Browns and Redskins lack the kind of supporting cast that would enable Griffin to immediately succeed enough to justify a blockbuster trade.

By holding onto the extra picks in this year's draft and the next, Shanahan would be better quipped to quickly provide the kind of ensemble to help a rookie quarterback flourish.

Round 4: DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State: SELL

Although Ohio State's DeVier Posey would represent great value and be something of a steal in the fourth round, this pick gets a sell.

The selection of a wide receiver certainly makes sense given the Redskins' need to increase the big-play capability of their offense and possibly aid the learning curve of a rookie quarterback.

Yet recent reports indicate that the Redskins will pursue free-agent solutions for their lack of elite playmaking skill at wide receiver. The Redskins will opt for an established, veteran pass catcher and consider offensive line with this pick.

They could be intrigued by mobile Boise State offensive tackle Nate Potter, who has the quickness and athleticism to be a nice fit in Shanahan's zone-based schemes.

Round 4: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa: BUY

This is a smart pick by Miller that answers a pressing team need and has the Redskins selecting an underrated prospect with plenty of upside.

The Redskins need a quality third corner who can be an asset in nickel packages and also provide competition to starters Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall. Iowa's Shaun Prater has the skill set to do both.

The 5'11", 185 pounder has the size, quickness and range to be particularly effective in zone coverage. Prater does not possess elite speed and works best when he can rely on the security provided by sound zone concepts and safety help.

Given the cover-2 expertise of new Redskins secondary coach Raheem Morris, Prater could quickly become a valuable contributor in packages containing multiple defensive backs.

Round 5: Andrew Datko, Offensive Tackle, Florida State: BUY

Andrew Datko seems to be a popular pick for the Redskins, and the selection makes a lot of sense for a team in need of help along the offensive line. The Florida State tackle would boost the quality of depth behind the starting front five and be a nice development project in Mike Shanahan's blocking system.

The 6'6", 321 pounder has the talent to warrant a higher selection but has been blighted by injury problems at the college level. Datko endured two shoulder surgeries during his junior and senior years.

His health is a huge question mark and has distracted from his abilities as a standout blocker whose game is based on quality technique and good footwork and quickness. If he can prove his fitness, Datko could be a potential steal for the Redskins.

Round 6: Tyler Nielsen, ILB, Iowa: BUY

Matt Miller has the Redskins improving the depth of the linebacking corps in their 3-4 defense with Iowa's Tyler Nielsen. The pick is a prudent move as it would add some youth behind veteran defensive leader London Fletcher.

Nielsen has the size at 6'4" and 235 pounds to be a good fit in Washington's defensive schemes. Nielsen will translate better to a role on the inside at the pro level, due to a lack of playmaking ability as a blitzer.

The Redskins need another young linebacker to learn behind Fletcher, and they could always use another body to chip in on special teams. Nielsen would give them both.

Round 7: Brandon Taylor, S, LSU: BUY

The Redskins need a young safety behind injury-prone starters O.J. Atogwe and LaRon Landry, making LSU starter Brandon Taylor a good pick in the seventh round.

Taylor may have benefited from playing in a secondary featuring outstanding cornerback duo Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Yet the 5'11", 209 pounder is a capable defensive back and is good against the run.

With time and experience, Taylor could even develop into an effective box safety in Jim Haslett's defense. He would also give the defense better speed at the backup safety position, where Reed Doughty's lack of athleticism and range are often exposed in coverage.

Taylor's selection would wrap up a steady and measured draft from Shanahan and Bruce Allen that would still protect the Redskins future prospects.