Through Round 3, Redskins Haven't Done Enough to Address Pass Coverage Issues

The Washington Redskins kept it simple with their first selection of the 2013 NFL draft, adding N.C. State corrnerback David Amerson with the 51st overall pick.

Amerson is a playmaker who had 13 interceptions two years ago, but there are serious concerns about his coverage ability after he was torn apart by double-moves time and again in 2012. 

The tape is not good in that respect, and that should concern Redskins fans. Pass coverage was their biggest issue last season, and Amerson doesn't appear to be ready to step in and help in that area.

Expect him to battle merely to fight off Richard Crawford and Chase Minnifield for the fourth spot on the cornerback depth chart.

There is a possibility a player like Amerson could help the Redskins in off-coverage situations. I wouldn't want to line him up against anyone in the NFC East one-on-one early in his career, but he could contribute as an extra defensive back when the 'Skins need a play. There's also a chance they give him a shot at safety this summer. 

I think the key is that the 'Skins drafted another body in the secondary, and one with a high ceiling. Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor was higher on most "expert" draft boards, but Mike Shanahan and Co. have drafted so well recently that it's hard not to trust their judgment here. 

With that pick in their back pocket, however, I fully expected Washington to go with a safety who can cover or another cornerback in Round 3, but they instead invested in another tight end by taking Jordan Reed out of Florida.

Considering that Fred Davis is only coming back on a one-year contract, I don't mind the rationale behind such a pick, but I don't like the fact that the 'Skins are entering the fourth round without adding anyone they have any shot of being able to rely on in coverage. 

Tight ends can be found elsewhere or later in the draft and aggressive corners don't have value if they can't cover.

The key to their draft this year and last year is—and was—Robert Griffin III, but the Redskins could have done a lot more than they did on Friday night.