2012 NFL Draft: Should Robert Griffin III Join the Washington Redskins?

Robert Griffin III is going to be drafted by the Washington Redskins.

Last week Daniel Snyder and company orchestrated a trade with the St. Louis Rams for the second pick in this April’s NFL Draft in order to secure the services of the Heisman Trophy winner.

Washington wants Griffin, but should Griffin want Washington? Would it be in the former Baylor star’s best interest to force his way out of Landover (for those who don’t know, Fed Ed Field is actually in Landover, Maryland and not in D.C.) before he ever arrives?

Though he won’t be drafted for over a month, Griffin is already beloved. The Redskins drive the bus in D.C. and command two or three times the attention of the Capitals, Wizards or Nationals; thus as Washington’s franchise quarterback Griffin is already more popular than Alexander Ovechkin, John Wall or Stephen Strasburg.

Redskins fans need something to cheer about. Griffin can be the savior in D.C. He can resurrect a once-proud franchise that has fallen into a 20-year abyss and is now more than a joke around the rest of the NFL.

If successful, Griffin will never have to buy another drink with the Beltway. He’ll become a local legend. He will be playing for a potentially glamorous franchise. He'll be a sought-after national marketing commodity.

Unfortunately, Washington is years away from contending. The Redskins are thin across the field. Stack their starters up against the rest of the teams in the NFC East, and it would be hard to select a Redskin to start at any position. Maybe you’d take Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo? Maybe?

Washington’s receiving corps is particularly meager. Jabar Gaffney paced the Redskins with 68 catches, 947 yards and a pedestrian five touchdowns. Santana Moss is still a serviceable slot-receiver but has difficulty in stretching the field. The Redskins were also a dismal 25th in rushing offense.

Talented tight end Fred Davis has shown flashes of potential, but he is prone to drops as well as the occasional dalliance with marijuana. After missing the last four games of 2011, he’s in line for a full-season ban if he gets busted for smoking again. Often disinterested left tackle Trent Williams is in the same boat.

Washington was a respectable 13th in total defense. However, the ranking is deceiving. Ranking 29th in fourth-quarter defense, the Redskins rarely got a stop when needed, going 2-7 in games decided by a one score. Dallas, Carolina, Miami, the New York Jets, New England, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Dallas all outscored the Redskins in the final frame to either clinch a game or come from behind to win.

No worries, though. Snyder will once again open up the checkbook and overpay for free agents while trying sure up the team around Griffin. That’s his move. See Bruce Smith, Deon Sanders and more recently Albert Haynesworth.

Sadly though, the Redskins coffers will be a bit leaner this spring than in years past. On Monday, ESPN reported that the Redskins and Cowboys will both lose salary cap space over the next two years for front-loading contracts in the uncapped 2010 campaign. Washington’s loss is a reported $36 million.

After laying low the past few years under the guardianship of executive vice president and general manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan, the Redskins were expected to be big fish in their year’s free agency pond. Now, their $40 million war chest has taken a major hit and the future of potential additions such as New York Giants free agent wide receiver Mario Manningham is now in doubt.

That’s fine; Washington will just rebuild through the draft. Oh, that’s right, they traded their 2013 and 2014 first-round draft picks and this year’s second-round selection to St. Louis. No worries, with so much tradable talent, the Redskins will surely be able to restock their draft cache. Right?

Shanahan hasn’t exactly shined over the past few seasons. The two-time Super Bowl winning coach hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2005 and is 11-21 during his two seasons in Washington. Jim Zorn, who referred to the Redskins as the Maroon and Black, was 12-20.

Shanahan has famously won one playoff game since John Elway’s retirement. He also hasn’t fared well in the front office, making disastrous moves such as trading for Donovan McNabb.

Griffin’s biggest headache might stem from the man signing his checks: Snyder. Washington’s meddlesome owner’s stewardship has been as turbulent as it’s been unfruitful. The team has just three winning seasons and two playoff wins since he took over in 1999.

Elway refused to go to the Baltimore Colts. Eli Manning refused to go to San Diego. Both have two Super Bowls and impeccable reputations. Maybe Griffin should follow in their footsteps. Maybe Washington is the wrong destination?