NFL Mock Draft 2011: Washington Redskins' Possiblities In First 2 Rounds

Let's look at the many possibilities for the Washington Redskins draft. I will look at all the different outcomes that may be approached. Obviously, if someone that they might need was taken from picks 1-9 then they might have to go with the next available, which would then mean their second round choice might change as well. 

First lets start with their needs in order of priority: 

Quarterback

If they were smart they would start Rex Grossman next year and trade away Donovan McNabb to get something in return for him. Grossman won't take them to the promised land but it will give a rookie time to develop. They could also trade for a guy like Kevin Kolb or Vince Young, which wouldn't be horrible either. 

Wide Receiver

If you take a look at the Redskins weapons you will find nothing except a slot receiver playing as your No. 1 in Santana Moss. They need that powerful possession receiver that can draw double coverage and make big plays. 

Defensive Front 7 

Jim Hasslet brought over a 3-4 scheme to this team and it didn't work. Not because the scheme is bad but because he doesn't have the right personnel yet. Once he builds his own guys in his system, it will be productive.  

Running Back

Ryan Torian looked strong when he played this year. He is a bruiser and can hit you with some speed in the open field. But this league is now a fast style league with two running backs. They need a speed guy off the edge and for third downs. 

Offensive Line 

I know your saying "What?! Only 5th?!" The team's line isn't as bad as people perceive it to be. Yes it is not the best, but a guy like Trent Williams will develop and Jammal Brown can hold down the right side. They do need help on the interior but you don't want to ever address that with a top 10 pick. 

Secondary

Bringing OJ Atogwe over in free agency definitely helps out the safety spot. The corners are a tad shaky though. There aren't many other corners in the league that can defend better than Carlos Rogers within the first 15 yards. Deangelo Hall is a good playmaker but not a good coverage corner. They need a guy that quarterbacks won't throw at. Nnamdi Asomugha is a free agent and would help their needs at corner a lot.

Now let's take a look at who they should draft.

Possibility Number 1

Round 1 Pick 10: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Newton has tons of pros to go along with tons of cons. The fact is the kid is an athlete that wins. He's bigger then Ben Roethlisburger and plays like Michael Vick. What's not to like? Other than he acts like Willie Beamen before Al Pacino's "inch" speech in Any Given Sunday, of course.

Round 2 Pick 9: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

Hankerson might work his way into the first round but there are about three WRs ahead of him as of now. If he lasts here this pick would be great for Washington. He is big, fast, and makes big plays.

Possibility Number 2

Round 1 Pick 10: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

He is a bigger and better Hankerson. He ran one of the fastest 40s at the combine and is about Terrell Owen's size. He has the potential to be a consistent pro-bowler. 

Round 2 Pick 9: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

Ryan Williams would be a nice fit for Washington. He isn't exactly the small, quick, speedy guy I mentioned before but he is productive and fast enough. He can hit you hard up the middle or blow by you on the edge. He's the No. 2 running back this year.

Possibility Number 3

Round 1 Pick 10: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC

Before the season started Quinn was up there with the top 3 prospects. Since his troubles this season he's dropped down but not much. He is a great size for a 3-4 OLB. He would play opposite Brian Orakpo where they would be dangerous to any offensive line.

Round 2 Pick 9: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

Frankly if the Redskins don't draft a WR in the first round then they need to get Hankerson in round two. He is a nice fit there and would change the dynamic of the offense. 

Possibility Number 4

Round 1 Pick 10: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

This is assuming, of course, Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson are both off the table, which they will be. So why not follow the trend of drafting corners? Smith is maybe the best at coverage out of the three and has a great head on his shoulders. I heard in a interview the other day that in the last two years he has given up only 11 catches, one of which was a first down. He then went on to say how he remembers each and every catch ever put up against him. Can't be hard if it's such a low number.

Round 2 Pick 9: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

Yep, they really should get him in the second round.

There you have it. If it happens Washington's way, they will end up with possibility number 1. That's the ideal situation. If not then they go possibility number 2 and so on and so forth.  

I do want to add that you may wonder why I don't have them getting a quarterback in the second round. Especially with all the talent there with Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, Jake Locker, and maybe even Ryan Mallet. Well, I don't really believe in second round quarterbacks. Take a look at the playoffs this year. All the teams quarterbacks were first round picks except for three: Tom Brady (6th round), Matt Cassel (7th round), and Matt Hasselbeck (6th round). So I don't generally believe in second round quarterbacks.