Washington Redskins: Potential First-Round Offense in 2011 NFL Draft
On Thursday, April 28th, the Washington Redskins will take part in one of the most significant NFL Drafts in the team’s not-so-rich history. ( Check out my Mock Draft )
Since taking ownership of the team in 1999, Dan Snyder has earned the title of “Worst Owner in Football”. Even worse than Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, Snyder has given Redskins Nation nothing more than repetitive seasons of frustration and offseason fraud. For the last decade, the Washington Redskins were known as a team that would overpay for free agents and run their football operations like it was a fantasy team.
Now, with competence in the front office and on the sidelines, the Redskins are looking in a new direction for a brighter future. Following his first year as Washington’s head coach, Mike Shanahan will approach the 2011 NFL Draft with all intentions of building a legitimate and contending team within the next 3-5 seasons.
Focusing solely on the Redskins’ No. 10 overall pick in the first-round, I’ve attempted to throw together a few potential players that we may see suit-up in the burgundy and gold next season. In addition, I’ll forecast the player’s performance and try to gauge a time in which Redskins Nation can see some solid contribution.
Here goes nothin’…
Cam Newton (QB, Auburn, Jr.)
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At this point, we all seem to know who Cam Newton is and what comes along with him. While some consider it baggage, I wouldn’t see quite as harsh. Did he screw up? Yes. More than once? Yes. But at the end of the day, does anyone really believe that Cam Newton is a bad kid?
In just one season at Auburn, Newton led his team to an undefeated season and a National Championship. Without question, Auburn is in a world of hurt without a dominant force like Newton. In fact, Newton’s leadership and ability to handle loads and loads of pressure is almost as impressive as his natural athleticism.
From a football standpoint, Newton does have some difficulty reading opposing defenses. While playing under Gus Malzahn’s schemey spread offense and behind an experienced offensive line, Newton wasn’t shown a whole lot from opposing defenses throughout the season. Often times while watching Newton, we saw him rely solely on his speed and strong arm to take advantage of defenses rather than breaking down the play ahead of time and going through his reads.
I think one of Newton’s most underrated strengths is his accuracy. Although playing in a spread offense that really opens the field for his receivers, Newton showed tremendous ability to fire a ball at the numbers and control his deep passes. However, because of the popular college scheme, Newton wasn’t given the credit he deserved.
As far as potential is concerned, Newton may have the highest ceiling out of any player in this draft. Think about it—he’s shaped like a defensive end (6’6 / 250), he has unbelievable speed, he can power through a linebacker, he has a cannon for an arm, he has gone through adversity, and he knows what it’s like to win big. As a scout, you have to be licking your chops.
But, like a majority of NFL draft picks, Newton comes with a big risk. Even under the coaching of Mike Shanahan, can Newton improve his ability to read defenses? Can he adapt into a quarterback that takes snaps from under center? Can he overcome his issues as a teen to become a solid professional and market himself as a role model in the NFL? I would answer yes.
If Newton were to be selected by Shanahan and the Redskins with the No. 10 overall pick, I would not be disappointed. The main thing to remember about this young man is that he is extremely raw and he won’t be able to come in right away and blow through the NFL season like it’s his senior campaign at Auburn. He’ll need good coaches, a decent quarterback in front of him, and patience. Given those things, I’d say Newton could become a solid Redskins starter in 2-3 years.
For those that are weary and don’t prefer to turn their blinders off, please take a minute. Forget the JaMarcus Russell comparisons, this kid is leaps and bounds beyond that. Think more along the lines of Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, and (my personal liking) Ben Roethlisberger.
Jake Locker (QB, Washington, Sr.)
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The main thing to remember when discussing Locker is that you can’t get an accurate read on him just by looking at career stats and box scores. According to NFL scouts, Locker has all of the intangibles that are necessary in order to succeed at the next level.
Although I’m not contending that intangibles aren’t important (I believe they are), I think Locker has some issues that could possibly land him outside of the first round. That being said, Locker also has a ton of strengths that Redskins Nation would like. And according to sources, Mike Shanahan really likes this young man.
After being thrown into the fire at Washington as a freshman, Locker preformed well, all things considered. He finished his freshman season with more interceptions than touchdowns, but he showed that sheer experience and knowledge of the game would develop him into an NFL prospect.
In Shanahan’s offense, a quarterback should possess accuracy, decision-making, leadership, and the ability to scramble. Locker possesses all of those things. While some have been critical of his accuracy and the form of his passes (inconsistent spiral sometimes effects pass), Locker would definitely improve with NFL talent around him. In fact, one could argue that a weak supporting cast in college is Locker’s main reason for both his struggling senior numbers and his gained attention. Locker made the most with as little as anyone, and Shanahan is a believer in that.
In comparison to Newton and his preparedness for the league, Locker appears to be the more NFL-ready. Besides a short sophomore season because of a broken thumb, Locker was a four-year starter that was forced to lead a team with minimal talent and shuffling coaches/coordinators. His win-loss record isn’t great, but some enjoy the fact that a young man knows what it feels like to lose. But before you buy into that theory, take a look at Carolina’s Jimmy Clausen. I’m not saying Clausen is bad or that he won’t be any good (I actually like his potential), but his losing ways at Notre Dame didn’t really translate well in his first season in the NFL.
Again, remember the intangibles when looking at Locker. His stats won’t blind you and his internet image isn’t exactly trending on Twitter, but he could become a full-time starter for the Redskins in his rookie season. It’d be a rough time and perhaps too much similar to what he went through at Washington, but it would be a turn for the better in D.C.
Derek Sherrod (OL, Mississippi State, Sr.)
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If there ever was a man-crush in this draft not named Cam Newton, it would be me and my fascination with senior Derek Sherrod.
Sherrod started 10 games as a Mississippi State freshman in 2007 and he hasn’t missed a beat since then. At 6’5 and 305 pounds, this guy shows tremendous versatility, agility, and he’s been rumored to run a 5.08 40-yard dash.
Although playing a majority of his college career at the left tackle position, I truly believe that Sherrod could either tackle or guard position. He has good footwork, he’s very strong, and Sherrod can work the blind side for 10+ years in the NFL.
In my opinion, the Redskins take Sherrod in the first-round only if some sort of trade occurs. While I wouldn’t be bothered if Shanahan took Sherrod at No. 10, I think it might be a slight reach in the eyes of the front office. If the Redskins trade back and give up their 10th-pick, then Sherrod is a definite possibility and he’d obviously fill a hole in the team’s trenches.
Regardless of where Sherrod is drafted, he’d be ready to play in the NFL after his first preseason.
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Gabe Carimi (OT, Wisconsin, Sr.)
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One word that could help sum-up this guy: immense. Standing at 6’7", 327 pounds, Carimi comes from a Wisconsin program that does a pretty decent job at producing NFL offensive linemen.
Carimi is a 2010 All-American and a well-deserving winner of the 2010 Outland Trophy. He has paved the way for numerous, and typical, run-heavy Wisconsin teams. Some scouts have noted that Carimi is strictly a tackle and more particularly a right tackle. Although he has a ton of experience at left tackle, Carimi is thought to have better success as a right tackle in the NFL because of his mediocre footwork and lack of lateral movement.
Forgetting what the scouts say about this guy, Carimi is an absolute beast. He’s huge, he’s very coachable, and he appears to be a longtime lineman in the league. Carimi is another lineman prospect that could contribute to the Redskins immediately following the preseason and he’d help to develop a young and talented offensive line.
Julio Jones (WR, Alabama, Jr.)
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While Redskins Nation is very grateful for a receiver like Santana Moss and everything he’s done for the organization, we’ve known all along that he’s not a clear No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
Best suited as a No. 2 on this team, the Redskins have attempted to compliment Moss with potential No. 1 receivers and have done nothing short of failing. Devin Thomas is wandering around the Meadowlands somewhere and we’ve yet to see what Malcolm Kelly can do. Whatever the free agent class may bring, the Redskins need a No. 1 wide receiver prospect for the future.
Jones is a physical receiver with a great body that he normally uses to eat-up opposing defenders. At 6’4, 220 pounds, Jones has great speed for his size (4.44) and he has a firm grasp on the game. As a freshman at Alabama, Jones hauled in 58 passes for 928 yards in a Nick Saban offense that is clearly defined as run-first. Since that freshman season, Jones has became a better player in other aspects of the game beyond catching, and I guarantee his name is off the board before pick No. 33.
It has been said that wide receiver is one of the toughest position transitions from college to pro, but Jones is just one of those guys that seems like he could contribute as a rookie. Route-running will obviously improve with experience, and hopefully Jones’ tendency to drop passes every once in a while would cease. All things considered, Jones would be a great addition to the Redskins offense.
Jon Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh, Jr.)
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Without having to again mention the appreciation for Santana Moss and his more fitting position with the team, the Redskins are still in need of a No. 1 wide receiver.
Baldwin reminds me of Randy Moss, and what team couldn’t use one of those? Standing 6’5" and weighing 230 pounds, Baldwin has been on the radars of NFL scouts since his freshman year in 2008. Baldwin has great speed for his size (4.4), and he can stretch the field on any defense with any quarterback throwing from within the same stadium.
Even with names like Julio Jones and Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, Baldwin may very well be the first receiver taken in this draft, and deservingly so. Baldwin can contribute to an NFL team immediately and he’d be an awesome upgrade to the Redskins offense, giving them the large target that they’ve so desperately lacked. If the Redskins don’t take him at No. 10, I think Baldwin is a no-brainer to St. Louis.
Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama, Jr.)
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Shanahan knows a thing or two about running backs, and that makes Ingram the least likely offensive prospect on this list for the Redskins. It’s not that Ingram isn’t a fine enough player or that he doesn’t fit with the team’s offensive scheme—it’s that Shanahan has enough confidence in himself to coach-up a running back more than any other position.
Throughout his career, Shanahan has gained a reputation for selecting running backs in late rounds and turning them into 1,000-yard rushers with ease. Looking back, we can remember names like Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, and of course, Terrell Davis.
Currently, the roster indicates Ryan Torain as the Redskins starter and Keiland Williams as the spell, which is fine. Both are young and appear to have great upside with Shanahan. Torain is the better prospect with a sporadic injury report, and Williams is a hard-nosed do-it-all kind of back.
Ingram is a very versatile running back with the ability to do pretty much anything asked of him. He has solid college experience while playing in the nation’s best conference, and Nick Saban really showcased his talents. Ingram won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore season and he is surely deserving of being selected in the first round.
Any team that selects Ingram will be very pleased with an immediate contributor. Like most rookies, Ingram will take some time to learn the speed of the pro game and he’ll have no problem handling the load by the second half of his first season. If selected by the Redskins, it’d be a great addition but wouldn’t really fill any glaring holes on the team.
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