2011 NFL Mock Draft: The Perfect Formula For a Brighter Redskins Future

The NFL Draft hasn't exactly been a priority in years past at Redskins Park. Regardless of the coach, the Redskins are notorious for placing more value on free agents than young talent coming out of college.

This has primarily been the case for two reasons: First, Daniel Snyder, the owner and a diehard Redskins fan with deep pockets, wants to win now. Right now.

Second, former VP of Football Operations, Vinny Cerrato, believed he could make the Redskins better by signing proven—although often times past their prime—free agents.

This method has failed miserably and teams like the Packers, Colts, Patriots and Steelers have proven that the best way to succeed is to build through the draft.

Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen are a big upgrade from Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato. It appears they've bought into the idea of building through the draft—although the trades for Donovan McNabb and Jammal Brown would suggest otherwise.

Heading into the 2011 draft, the Redskins currently have seven picks—a first, a second, two fifths, a sixth and two sevenths. The extra fifth and seventh rounders are conditional picks resulting from the Jammal Brown and Justin Tryon (Colts) trades.

If executed the right way, the Redskins can use the 2011 NFL Draft to make great strides towards a brighter future.

Here's how they can do it.

Round 1: Trade 10th Pick To The Miami Dolphins

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

The Redskins should trade back here. With all the needs they have (QB, NT, S, OT, OG, C), there simply isn't one player available at No. 10 who can make a big enough dent in this pile of needs.

The Dolphins will trade their 15th pick and a third round pick to the Redskins for the opportunity to draft Blaine Gabbert at No. 10. 

Cam Newton will be off the board at No. 3 to Buffalo.

With the 15th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select DE/OLB Robert Quinn out of North Carolina.

Because he missed the entire 2010 college football season, Quinn will fall all the way to No. 15. He's a top 10 talent, but teams will shy away from him.

Quinn will make the transition to OLB in the 3-4 and will make the one-two punch of Brian Orakpo and Robert Quinn one of the best linebacker corps for years to come.

2nd Round: OC, Stefen Wisniewski

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Beachum #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hops over teammate Stefen Wisniewski #61 and Brian Peters #10 of the Northwestern Wildcats to score a touchdown at Ryan Field on October 31, 2009 in Evanston, Illinois. Penn Sta

With a super-smart pick in the second round, the Redskins will address a glaring need on the offensive line by selecting center Stefen Wisniewski from Penn State.

Current Redskins center, Casey Rabach, is on the downside of his career. He consistently got beat in 2010 by younger, more athletic defensive linemen.

At 6'3'', 310 pounds, Wisniewski fits perfectly into Mike Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme. He's big enough to solidify the middle, he's athletic enough to block in open space and most importantly, he's incredibly intelligent and capable of being a leader on the offensive line.

He can even play guard if needed.

3rd Round (from Dolphins): QB Christian Ponder

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles throws for a first down during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Christian Ponder, originally expected to be a fourth or fifth round pick because of durability and athleticism issues, jumped up the board after his Senior Bowl performance and will do so even more after the NFL Combine later this month.

The Redskins will be able to grab him in the third round, and in Ponder they get a big (6'3'', 220 lbs), athletic, smart quarterback who played in a pro-style offense at Florida State.

He doesn't have the strongest arm and there are a few injury concerns, but Christian Ponder is capable of being a successful quarterback in the NFL.

The Redskins might have preferred to get a QB like Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernik, but they'll both be off the board at this point.

5th Round: RB Jordan Todman

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Jamell Fleming #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz

Coming out of a small school (UCONN), Jordan Todman isn't going to be very high on many teams' draft boards.

He's a bit undersized at 5'9'', 190 pounds, but he's a hard runner with good quickness.

In 2010, Todman racked up nearly 1,700 rushing yards and tallied 14 touchdowns, albeit in a weak league.

Todman will be a nice complement to Ryan Torain (if Torain can stay healthy) and could surprise people in his first professional season.

5th Round: FS Robert Sands

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 19: Darvin Adams #89 of the Auburn Tigers scores a touchdown as he gets tackled by Robert Sands #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Ima

Can you say Sean Taylor 2.0? 

If you watched any West Virginia football games last season, one person stood out more than any other on defense.

Robert Sands is a hard-hitting, athletic safety with great range. 

His large frame (6'5'', 220 lbs) will allow him to get up there with the big wide receivers in the NFL.

Now, the Redskins will have to be a bit lucky for Sands to still be on the board in the 5th round, but because WVU didn't have a lot of success in 2010, he may slip through the cracks.

6th Round: DT Terrell McClain

At this point in the draft, the Redskins need to address the defensive line. With Albert Haynesworth (two assault charges in two weeks) more than likely out of D.C. next season, Shanahan and company will need to add a big body to the line.

Terrell McClain, out of South Florida, provides exactly that. He's big (6'2'', 310 lbs), he's athletic and Jim Haslett could ultimately groom McClain into a nose tackle. 

McClain had 17.5 tackles for losses and 8.5 sacks in his career at South Florida.

7th Round: OG Daniel Kilgore

With their second to last pick, the Redskins will look for depth on the offensive line.

Daniel Kilgore, out of Appalachian State, anchored a line that had a very successful year in 2010. 

He's got ideal size (6'3'', 285 lbs) for Shanahan's offense and moves very well in open space.

7th Round: DE Christian Anthony

Looking for a diamond in the rough?

Look no further.

Grambling State's Christian Anthony (6'4", 280 lbs) could be a stud in the NFL. 

He comes from a small school and he missed the entire 2010 season with a heart issue (definitely something to keep an eye on), but before that he was having a heck of a college career.

Check out his 2009 stat line: 76 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, five forced fumbles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Again, this guy is 6'4'', 280 pounds.

Many mock drafts have Anthony going undrafted. Here's hoping none of the other teams in the NFL know who he is.

Summary and Unaddressed Needs

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Mike Sims-Walker #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to run past Macho Harris #20 of the Washington Redskins during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Get

I know what you're thinking. How could he totally ignore the obvious need at wide receiver? Well, fear not. I think WR is a position that the Redskins can successfully address via free agency (whenever it happens) without breaking the bank. 

They should be able to get a guy like Mike Sims-Walker or James Jones, both of whom could come in and be a No. 1.

Other guys they could go after include Mark Clayton, Steve Breaston, Malcolm Floyd and Sidney Rice (yeah right—right?).

There are a few other needs that didn't get addressed:  CB, ILB, OT and K. 

At CB, I think the Redskins should re-sign Carlos Rogers and Phillip Buchanon, with DeAngelo Hall and Kevin Barnes in the mix as well.

At inside linebacker, who knows how much longer London Fletcher can play. It could be three years for all we know. I think guys like HB Blades, Robert Jackson and Perry Riley could step up this year as well.

At OT, here's hoping that Jammal Brown can be healthy. If not, the Skins could turn to Selvish Capers or Stephon Heyer.

For kicker, maybe we can get lucky and steal Alex Henery out of Nebraska (probably the best college kicker of all-time). Graham Gano's got to go. 

2011 Mock Draft Recap:

1st Round:  Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

2nd Round:  Stefan Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State

3rd Round:  Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

5th Round:  Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut

5th Round:  Robert Sands, FS, West Virginia

6th Round:  Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida

7th Round:  Daniel Kilgore, OG, Appalachian State

7th Round:  Christian Anthony, DE, Grambling State