NFC East Draft: 5 Mid-Round Defenders Washington Redskins Should Target

The Redskins defense is a burgeoning unit with plenty of pieces in place to remain the strength of the team this season.

However, Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen would be wise to use the draft to add more weapons and better depth to Jim Haslett's crew. Nickleback, safety and inside linebacker are the notable areas of concern.

Those concerns are well founded with no natural free safety on the roster and the future of unit leader London Fletcher still in doubt. Adding some good value playmakers in the middle rounds, such as Miami's Sean Spence and Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward would allay any lingering doubts about the defense.

With this in mind, here is a list of the five best mid-round defensive picks the Redskins could make in the 2012 NFL draft.

1. Sean Spence, LB, University of Miami

The Redskins hold the No. 6 pick in the third round and that could land them Miami tackling machine Sean Spence. He would be great pickup to offset the eventual retirement or even free-agent loss of Fletcher.

The 5'11" 231 pounder played outside at the collegiate level, but translates better to the inside in Washington's scheme. Spence is an instinctive linebacker who plays bigger than his natural frame.

He has the quickness in short spaces to get around blockers instead of having to overpower them. Spence attacks with speed and aggression which offsets his lack of natural-tackling technique.

He is also an excellent zone pass defender, able to read pass routes very well and break on the ball with tremendous acceleration. Spence may be considered by some to be too small for the 3-4, but with Barry Cofield improving all the time as the anchor, the 'Skins can afford the presence of a lighter, sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the middle of the defense. 

2. Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Hayward is a player the Redskins like and would be a great addition to the defensive backfield. He has the size and instincts to be a dangerous cover man in Washington's zone schemes.

At 5'11" and 192 pounds, Hayward can be effective in press coverage, but also has the timing and intelligence to be a ball hawk in off coverage. His versatility would be invaluable to Haslett, who asks a lot from his corners with his heavy blitz calls.

Hayward is eager and capable in run support, which would certainly distinguish him from inconsistent incumbent DeAngelo Hall. He would be a useful third corner in nickel and dime fronts and provide strong competition behind Hall.

3. Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas

If the Redskins are prepared to wait until the fourth or fifth round for reinforcements at inside linebacker, Texas star Emmanuel Acho would be a nice pick.

Like Spence, Acho has played outside in college, but the 6'2" 238 pounder would slide inside for the Redskins. He is an intelligent and athletic linebacker, solid against both the run and the pass.

Acho will occasionally miss tackles he should make due to over-pursuit, but with more discipline and good coaching, this problem should soon go away. Acho also offers above-average blitz skills thanks to a combination of excellent timing and good speed.

His versatility is useful for the multiple nature of Washington's zone blitz playbook, and Acho would provide depth (and starter's potential) at every linebacker position.

4. Tavon Wilson, FS, Illinois

2011 fifth-round pick DeJon Gomes showed some potential last season. This year, another late-round safety the Redskins should consider is Illinois defensive back Tavon Wilson.

The 6'0" 205 pounder is a rangy free safety with the ability to make big plays. He has played at both corner and safety and has the versatility modern pro defenses covet at the position.

Wilson is a decent tackler and is also effective on the blitz. Following the release of O.J. Atogwe, Wilson would have the chance to quickly stake a claim to emerge as a surprising day one starter in D.C.

5. Markus Kuhn, DT, North Carolina State

Bill Parcells often referred to the "planet theory" as a way of describing the lack of linemen physically and temperamentally suitable to play defensive end in a 3-4. With this in mind, the Redskins could use another 2-gap lineman and North Carolina State's Markus Kuhn perfectly fits the bill.

The 6'5" 299 pounder has the upper body strength and long arms to hold up well against double teams and push the pocket. A lack of overall dynamism and top-level experience will likely restrict Kuhn to the final round of the draft.

With Kedric Golston a free agent and Darrion Scott questionable as a top reserve, Kuhn would be a useful seventh-round selection.

With Better Depth and Playmaking Skills, the Redskins Defense Can Be Elite

Naturally, a lot of attention in this draft will be focused as to how the Redskins equip prospective top pick Robert Griffin III with stronger protection and better weapons. Yet despite surrendering their second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams as part of the Griffin deal, the Redskins still have enough picks to address the holes on defense.

How much the front office chooses to prioritize the defense will likely be determined by what happens with Fletcher between now and the end of the month. Just as it will be determined by how much the Redskins feel they have upgraded the secondary with free agents Brandon Meriweather and Cedric Griffin.

If Shanahan and Allen can bolster the depth (particularly at linebacker) and solve the secondary deficiencies, Washington's defense can join the ranks of the elite in 2012.