2012 NFL Draft: How Robert Griffin III Could Transform Redskins into Contenders

After reportedly being spurned in their pursuit of free agent quarterback Peyton Manning, the Washington Redskins and owner Daniel Snyder set their sights on getting their franchise quarterback of the future in the NFL draft, pulling the trigger Friday night on one of the biggest NFL trades in recent memory.

Washington sent three first-round picks and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for the rights to the second overall choice in the 2012 draft, which the Redskins will presumably use to draft Baylor signal-caller and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

The trade is a gutsy move, to say the least, given that the Redskins effectively mortgaged their future to obtain a player who has yet to take a snap in the National Football League, but it was painfully obvious that the Redskins needed an upgrade under center given that the only quarterbacks on Washington's roster right now are a has-been (Rex Grossman) and a never-will-be (John Beck).

As Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson reports for ESPN, the steep price that the Redskins paid for Griffin could well be worth it:

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I very much believe that you can't overspend to land a franchise quarterback -- and RG3 is very much a franchise quarterback. Even better, he is the perfect specimen for a Mike Shanahan offense. Shanahan wants mobile quarterbacks who also possess a big arm to test a defense deep downfield. He uses a lot of designed quarterback movement and play action. Shanahan isn't easy on his quarterbacks. He wants a bright guy who is very receptive to coaching and Griffin fits that mold perfectly, which is why this is a great move for Washington. Yes, Washington gave up a ton to land this potential phenom, but that is the cost of doing business.

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However, while Griffin will almost certainly be the Week 1 starter for the Washington Redskins, the youngster isn't going to be able to lead the 'Skins out of the NFC East basement by himself. Luckily for both Griffin and Washington, the team doesn't have a ton of holes on defense (especially if it is able to retain the services of veteran linebacker and defensive captain London Fletcher). And regardless of the king's ransom that the club paid to acquire Griffin, the Redskins are still in a position to add some offensive talent around the 2011 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

Washington may have sent its next three first-round draft picks—including the sixth overall pick this year—to the Gateway City, but the team is a reported $40 million or so under the 2012 salary cap after purging a number of big salaries a year ago. Snyder's reputation as a big spender certainly hasn't hurt the team's reputation in the eyes of free agents.

Also, with the quarterback situation resolved the Redskins can now focus that cap space on adding skill players and linemen around Griffin. ESPN's Dan Graziano expects that Washington won't be any more bashful in free agency than it was in pursuing Griffin:

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It tells me they plan to be big players in free agency. With a projected $40 million or so in cap room, they can afford to throw money at a stud wide receiver like Vincent Jackson, add depth to their offensive line, re-sign running back Tim Hightower if he's healthy, give London Fletcher the contract he wants to remain the captain of their defense and upgrade where they need to upgrade in the secondary. They will need to do the bulk of this stuff in free agency, because they're not going to have a pick after Griffin until the third round, and they must feel confident that they can get the players they plan to target and put the right pieces around Griffin right away.

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The Redskins haven't completely crippled their ability to add talent to the team in April, however, as the team will still have five picks in the 2012 NFL draft. They could likely use the fifth pick in the third round to acquire the likes of California offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz or wide receiver Brian Quick of Appalachian State, players who could make a significant contribution to the Redskins in their rookie season.

The spotlight on Robert Griffin III in Washington is going to be exceptionally harsh given all the Redskins have invested in the young quarterback. Every touchdown pass he throws will probably be just as overly scrutinized as the mistakes that any young quarterback in the National Football League is bound to make (see Peyton Manning's 28 interceptions in 1998), but as the old adage goes, "no guts, no glory."

Williamson believes that this sort of bold play is just what it takes to get the Washington Redskins back on a winning track:

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Overall, this is a tremendous move for Washington for now and into the future, as stud quarterback prospects don't grow on trees. I give Washington all the credit in the world for this trade. The Redskins were aggressive, and that is what it takes to compete in the NFC East.

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