2012 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins Stockpiling Quarterbacks

John Madden, when he was in the broadcast booth, used to be fond of saying that the worst time to be looking for a quarterback is when you need one. 

Apparently, the Washington Redskins and head coach Mike Shanahan don't plan on being in that position again. 

After sending this year’s sixth and 39th overall picks, as well as first-round picks in both 2013 and 2014, to the St. Louis Rams and selecting Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III second overall, the Redskins waited only one selection more before addressing the quarterback depth chart again. 

Conventional wisdom held that the Redskins would most likely address their need for an offensive playmaker or target some help on the offensive line, as they did with the selection of Josh LeRibeus.

Instead, Mike Shanahan went back to the quarterback well and took Kirk Cousins out of Michigan State. 

While I understand the pushback against this pick, I like it. I like that Shanny and the Redskins are putting a premium on the game's most important position. 

Griffin is obviously the franchise quarterback, but if last year taught us anything, it's that not having talent behind your starter is the quickest way to doom your season. I know the popular theory is to have an aging veteran in that position, but do fans really think Rex Grossman is taking Washington anywhere if RGIII goes down? 

Much better to have another young quarterback who you can train from the ground up. Cousins is by no means some polished product. He's a great developmental guy for Shanahan to work with. Of course, if Cousins progresses as he should, the Redskins can always look to trade him sometime down the line. 

No, you shouldn't draft guys just to trade them later, and I don't think that's what Washington has done here. Shanahan seems to genuinely like Cousins' overall talent.

Per the Washington Post, Cousins had this to say earlier today:

"

It is a little surprising. I was trying to forecast which teams would be in need of a quarterback, and I didn’t see the Redskins thinking along those lines...But coach Shanahan’s words to me were that he couldn’t pass me up, and he was excited to have me.

"

In a league where quarterbacks are more important than ever, having two young talents learning and growing together makes a surprising amount of sense.