Exploring Every Team Need the Washington Redskins Must Address in 2012 NFL Draft

While the Washington Redskins battle the league with an attempt to recover their seized cap space, the front office remains focused on their six picks following the second round in April's upcoming NFL draft. 

Following some free-agent acquisitions and significant re-signings of their own, Mike Shanahan and the Redskins still have holes to fill and the unknown of the appeal means that the draft will play as large a role as any. 

Quarterback

Would you be disappointed with Andrew Luck in Washington?

It's an entertaining question, but it's very much unnecessary. 

The Indianapolis Colts have no reason to shy away from their original plan of drafting Stanford's Andrew Luck, and that essentially lands Robert Griffin III in Washington. 

After re-signing Rex Grossman and not seriously entertaining other backup acquisitions, Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin appears to be the anticipated Week 1 starter for the Redskins next season. 

I don't care who says what, I can't watch Grossman start another game in Washington. There's only so many times supporters can use the "familiarity with the offense" argument. 

Backfield

From talking with fellow Redskins fans, people seem confident and comfortable with the team's current backfield. And while I'm not about to call the position an actual need for the Redskins, I would admit that I'm not completely sold on the players at the position. 

After seeing what we saw from Roy Helu last season, Redskins fans have a reason to be excited. But just as they bothered him in college, injuries are a serious threat to Helu's production as his workload increases. This is a concern. 

Evan Royster came on late last season and looked as if he was becoming more comfortable with more carries, however, we're basing such off of just five games. Royster could be effective in Shanahan's scheme, but he's not a starter at this point. 

Depending on how the first few rounds go, I don't think it's a long-shot to say that Shanahan will take a late-round gamble on a running back in this draft. 

As I've been saying all season, I think a guy like Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray is a good fit in Shanahan's scheme as a dual threat out of the backfield and a potential producer in the ZBS.

Receivers

After addressing the team's need at wide receiver with the signings of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, the Redskins are able to lower that priority on their list come draft day. 

As of right now, the receiver position is a crowded one for the Redskins. Even without any draft selections and no more free-agent signings, the battles during camp will be interesting. 

We can assume that Garcon and Morgan are there, but what happens to veteran Santana Moss? Jabar Gaffney performed well last season, but can he hold off guys like Leonard Hankerson and Terrence Austin? The release of Donte Stallworth creates some room, but what happens to someone like Aldrick Robinson or Brandon Banks?

While I don't expect Shanahan to draft a receiver this April, anything is possible. 

Offensive Line

Offensive line remains my biggest priority for the Redskins come April's draft. I can only hope Mike Shanahan thinks the same. 

Re-signing left guard Kory Lichtensteiger is a good sign (assuming he's fully recovered), but the right side of the offensive line is questionable. Jammal Brown's nagging hip is far from reliable and Shanahan likely looks to address the position with the team's first pick following Griffin. 

When the Redskins take the clock in the third round with the idea of right tackle in mind, they may stumble across a problem of schematic fit. Do guys like Kelechi Osemele and Bobby Massie (who may be available) fit the ZBS? Is there any way Zebrie Sanders lasts to the third?

It's a position that must be addressed—especially with the addition of a new quarterback—and the team understands that. Even if the team decides to wait until later to gain value with an offensive line selection, they need to assure that he can at least compete in camp. 

Defensive Line

Arguably one of the deepest positions on the team, the Redskins don't need to worry about the defensive line come draft time. 

The anticipated arrival of Jarvis Jenkins generates excitement and expectations, while the re-signing of defensive end Adam Carriker provides the team with a step towards consistency and positive production. 

Unless Shanahan finds tremendous value somewhere, I wouldn't expect the Redskins to use any of their picks on a defensive lineman. 

Linebackers

At this point, the delay on London Fletcher's extension is the most concerning part of the Redskins' offseason. But one can attest the temporary hold on two things. 

For starters, a top-tier inside linebacker has yet to sign a deal. Without that, the market number has yet to be set and Fletcher doesn't have much to base his deal on. 

And two, the Redskins are currently strapped for cap room after being shafted by a bunch of whiny and jealous NFL owners. According to reports, the Redskins are appealing the league's ruling that they went against the spirit of the salary cap and it will hopefully end in an easier effort of re-signing Fletcher. 

Until then, the Redskins have a huge hole in the middle of their defense. Even assuming that the team does re-sign Fletcher, I think Shanahan uses a pick to try and find a successor. The prospect doesn't necessarily need to battle in practice or show early signs of stardom, but there needs to be some potential of both. 

Secondary

After being a harsh critic of the Redskins secondary, I'm starting to get the feeling that the defensive front seven could produce enough pressure to improve the corners and make their jobs slightly easier. That, however, does not account for the huge holes at safety. 

Before losing LaRon Landry to free agency, the Redskins released strong safety O.J. Atogwe, leaving the team without their starting safeties from last season. 

Losing each player wasn't necessarily the bad part. It's replacing them with something serviceable that's the difficult part. 

The Redskins have signed Brandon Meriweather to help address the need, but mid-round guys like Harrison Smith, Brandon Taylor, Aaron Henry and Antonio Allen are likely on the team's draft radar.