2012 NFL Draft: How Washington's Trade for No. 2 Affects the Philadelphia Eagles

Washington decided to steal some headlines from Peyton Manning and his quest for a new team. The Redskins traded their 2012 first- and second-round picks as well as two future first-round picks to the St. Louis Rams for their 2012 second overall pick. Robert Griffin III is now bound to become their newest starting quarterback.

Since the Giants won the Super Bowl last month, a lot of hype has been building up in the NFC East. The Redskins’ trade just adds to that; nobody will think of them as the “weakest” team of the division from now on.

However, the draft picks that went to the Rams will be missed in Washington and if the “RGIII” experiment does not work out, things can get really ugly. In case it slipped your attention, Mike Shanahan is now “all-in.”

How does that affect the Eagles?

There will be no Rex Grossman or John Beck next year. The Redskins will have a talented young man under center, with the ability to scramble and elude the incoming pass-rushers. Expect no easy games in the division.

Other than that, nothing changes in Philadelphia. Robert Griffin III-to-the-Eagles was a long shot and not the primary plan of the franchise. Andy Reid and the rest of management have to plug holes in the roster that have been there for a long time.

The Redskins sent their message, telling that they will pursue aggressively the players they feel they need to become competent. They have money to spend and free agency is ahead of us.

The Eagles should expect a lot more competition in the NFC East in 2012.