Washington Redskins Need to Draft a MLB and Tight End ASAP

Ladies and gentlemen, we are just weeks away from the NFL Draft. A span of days that is just as entertaining as it is surprising and can make or break a team for years and years to come. The trades, the reaches, the anticipation; it just makes for great television.

For Redskins fans, the first two days are pretty much in stone. You basically know that you’re getting RGIII in the first round and the Skins don’t have a second-round pick. They do have a third, but let’s be honest—unless you’re a huge college fan you don’t know any player that is going to be picked in the third round. You (and I) will rely on Mel Kiper and Todd McShay to tell us if our team made a good pick once we get that deep into the draft.

ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano thinks the Redskins will focus on the offensive side of the ball.

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The other bit of fallout from the Williams signing is that it makes it more likely that the focus of the Redskins' draft will be offense. They've made a number of signings in the secondary, as mentioned, and they still hope and plan to re-sign linebacker London Fletcher, so the area that currently needs the most depth is probably the offensive line, especially since that line will be charged with protecting a rookie quarterback.

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I disagree.

The Redskins need to pick carefully as they know they don’t have a first-round pick for years to come. It was a hefty price for RGIII, and we can argue for days whether it was worth it or not. But due to the fact that they won’t have a first-round pick, the Redskins should focus on the needs of the team rather than the best player available.

Outside of quarterback, the Skins' biggest need that can make an immediate impact is inside linebacker. The Redskins still think they can re-sign London Fletcher (even though fans are getting impatient), but the team needs to prepare for life after No. 59. Fletcher is 36 years old and still playing at a high level, but all teams know to have someone ready to step up once their leader is getting up in age.

And heavens forbid if Fletcher goes to another team and the Redskins don’t have a Plan B.

Speaking of a plan B, what is the Redskins’ Plan B for their tight end situation?

Chris Cooley and Fred Davis have Pro Bowl potential when they aren’t injured or suspended respectively.

Cooley has missed 20 games in the past three years due to injury. The last season where he started every game was back in 2008 when he caught 83 passes for 849 yards.

While nobody will doubt Cooley’s playmaking ability, it’s obvious that the team can’t depend on him starting 16 games in a season. Add that to the fact that Davis is one failed drug test away from a year-long suspension, and the Skins need someone to be able to step up at any given time.

Davis is also on a one-year franchise tag. When you’re planning on drafting a rookie quarterback, it’s important to have a tight end to be his safety valve when needed. Just look at Cam Newton’s year with Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen. The two had a combined 82 catches and nine touchdowns. It’ll be important for the Skins to have that kind of help.

There are plenty of other positions the Skins will need as well. Offensive line depth and reliable secondary players, but a new tight end and a new inside linebacker can make an immediate impact on this team and get them out of the cellar of the NFC East.

Rob Brown is a contributor on BleacherReport.Com and the primary writer for CowboysVsRedskins.com