2011 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Redskins 7 Round Projections
The 2011 NFL Draft is right around the corner. All 32 NFL teams are gathering day and night to grade the prospects and devise a strategy to get the guys they feel will be building blocks for their future. The draft is especially important for teams with many holes across their roster. With the uncertainty of free agency this offseason, teams will have to rely on the draft as their only means to add talented players.
The importance of this draft is on high alert at a war room in Ashburn, Virginia, where members of the Washington Redskins brain trust will be meeting for the next few weeks to come up with the ultimate game plan for the Skins. Mike Shanahan, Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder will be working tirelessly with assistant coaches, the scouting department and salary cap experts to help guide the team back to its winning ways of the past.
The Redskins hold the 10th overall pick in the first round of the draft. This could prove to be the make or break pick of the draft for the Skins. On offense they could go in the direction of quarterback which was my first thought when preparing this projection. If they choose to go in another direction, wide receiver seems to be an area of need which could be addressed with this pick.
On the defensive side of the ball the team has a need at defensive end which is a position of great depth in this draft. The linebacker corps is in need of a pass rushing outside backer to play opposite of Pro Bowl regular Brian Orakpo. The Skins may also be in the market for a cornerback if they have decided not to retain starting corner Carlos Rogers.
The decision the team makes with their first-round pick will dictate the way they attack the remaining six rounds. I think the team would love to trade back and get some extra picks but my analysis is based on what the team is dealing with as we stand today. Here are my projections for the 2011 Washington Redskins seven-round draft.
Round 1, 10th Overall: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Every team in the league has to get their first-round pick correct. If you miss on these, it can set your franchise back for years. If you miss on a first rounder that happens to be a quarterback it can hurt you even longer. The investment in time and money makes it very hard to recover from a bust. With that thought in mind I think the Skins will roll the dice that a franchise quarterback can be had later in the draft or in the 2012 draft, and will choose to add something the team desperately needs...a playmaker.
That playmaker will be wide receiver Julio Jones. The 6' 3" speedster out of Alabama turned heads at the Indianapolis combine with his impressive performance. He ran an unbelievable 4.34 second 40-yard dash even though he was suffering from a hairline fracture in his right foot. He impressed in the three cone drill as well posting a very fast 6.66 second time.
His vertical jump was 38 1/2 inches while pushing off with that bad wheel. Imagine the balls he can go up and get while healthy. He had an impressive career at Alabama posting single season records for yardage, with 1,133, and catches, hauling in 78. He finished second in career marks with 2,653 yards and 179 receptions. He started an impressive 40 games in three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
He is the tall downfield threat the Skins have been missing for years. If Washington decides to bring back Santana Moss he could be moved inside to the slot receiver position which would make him very dangerous with Jones stretching the field deep. Jones will also be a major asset in the red zone. His big body and leaping ability will give the quarterback a huge target in the back of the end zone to go with tight end Chris Cooley along the goal line.
This is a safe pick for a team that needs help in every position on the roster minus tight end. The Redskins could go for defensive help with this pick at defensive end, linebacker or cornerback.You can get help in those areas later in the draft but you cannot find another game changer like Jones. If the Rams come calling and offer pick No. 14 and a second or third round pick, you would have to pull the trigger on that deal, but at No. 10 the safe and proper pick is Julio Jones.
Round 2, 41st Overall: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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The Redskins draft could turn into an incredible one if their gamble in the first round falls their way in the second round. By picking Julio Jones in the first, the Skins gambled they could get the franchise quarterback they are seeking to throw to Jones in the second round. The stock of the quarterbacks in the draft this year has fluctuated as quickly as most stock portfolios. I think this gamble will pay off for the Redskins and they will be able to land the man they had once coveted as high as No. 4 in the 2010 draft and No. 10 in the 2011 draft.
If you could see inside the Redskins' war room when it comes time for their second-round pick, you would see Head Coach Mike Shanahan doing a cartwheel as he tells the card runner to select quarterback Jake Locker from Washington. This is the guy Shanahan has wanted since last year. He fits the mold that the coach has had success with in the past.
He is an incredible passer outside of the pocket on roll-outs and bootlegs. He is very accurate on the run. He has athletic ability that is second only to Cam Newton in this draft class. Locker uses his athletic ability as a last resort once everything downfield has broken down. That quality will translate well to the NFL game. Locker has the arm strength to hit targets deep and can also throw the touch passes to backs and tight ends.
Locker has struggled with accuracy problems while in the pocket but most coaches feel this is something that can be conquered through repetition. Locker did not have a great senior year with the Huskies but he did lead them to a Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska. His dip in play last year could be attributed to the talent surrounding him.
The Redskins will be ecstatic with getting their future franchise quarterback with the pick of Jake Locker. The Skins front office rolls the dice and get lucky when their wish comes true. The duo of Jones and Locker will be productive for the Skins for many successful years. The second-round pick of Jake Locker is a great one.
Round 5, 144th Overall: John Moffitt, OG/C, Wisconsin
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In the middle rounds of the draft you want to find a diamond in the rough. You hope your scouts have done their homework and are able to find you players that will either start or be quality reserves that can fill in due to injury. Flexibility is also a key with middle to late-round picks. An ability to play multiple positions will increase your chances of making the ballclub. You also want to fill areas of need without stretching to take players that are not talented enough to produce.
The offensive line in an area of need for the Skins and has been for many years. The main thing you want in offensive lineman are guys that like to get dirty. You don't need your name in the newspaper or need to do television interviews. You do the grunt work without the glory. Washington is the only city I know of that has actually glorified the offensive lineman with the legacy known as the Hogs. They started back in the early 80's and are as popular as ever in the Nation's Capitol. Redskins fans appreciate the hard work in the trenches from their linemen. The Skins will find a new member to add to the allure of the Hogs with their fifth-round pick.
John Moffitt is a durable, nasty lineman from the University of Wisconsin. The 6' 4" 319 pound Moffitt has started 42 games while playing in the tough Big Ten conference. He has great strength at the point of attack and does not get pushed back often. He has played guard and center while with the Badgers and could start at any of the three interior line positions for the Skins.
Moffitt looks to be a solid pick at this point of the draft. The Skins could really use his flexibility along the front line. He could replace fellow Badger Casey Rabach as the starter at center or fill a major hole at either guard position.
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Round 5, 155th Overall: Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona
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The Skins received this pick from the New Orleans Saints in the Jamaal Brown trade. The luxury of having extra picks in a round allows you to fill additional holes on your roster. The Skins defense is in need of some help after a disappointing 2010 season under Jim Haslett. He has installed a new 3-4 defense in Washington but did not have the correct pieces for it to run properly. He will get a key part in the fifth round with this pick.
Defensive end Ricky Elmore from Arizona is just what the doctor ordered. The Skins defensive line had one piece that fit last season, run-stopping end Adam Carriker. He played extremely well but had little help from the other linemen. He will get an electric pass rushing end in Elmore to be his bookend.
Ricky led the Pac-10 Conference in sacks totaling 11 in 2009 and 10.5 in the 2010 season. He has the size you need as a 3-4 end at 6' 4' 255 pounds and also has great speed running a 4.88 second 40-yard dash. He often broke plays up in the backfield and used his speed to blow past tackles with regularity.
Having Elmore to pair with Carriker will make the defensive transition much better in 2011. When these lineman are doing what they need to do, the linebacker corps is able to get into the lanes and make tackles. Elmore should help make a dramatic improvement for the Skins' defense in 2011.
Round 6, 177th Overall: Sione Fua, NT, Stanford
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When the sixth round arrives for the Skins decision makers they will be looking at the positions they have not yet addressed. As they look at the roster they will find the place where the biggest player on the team roams is in need of help. The Redskins nose tackle position has their biggest player and their biggest pain in the ..., well let's just say their biggest headache. Hey! Hey! Hey!
It's Fat Albert Haynesworth. The much maligned Haynesworth can't seem to get out of his own way and has not gained any friends among the Redskins coaches or ownership. He should be shipped out of town as soon as the labor agreement is settled. The Skins hope to find his replacement with their sixth-round pick.
Stanford nose tackle Sione Fua will become a fan favorite from day one because well, he is not Albert Haynesworth. The 6' 2" 308 pound Fua bench pressed an impressive 30 reps of 225 pounds at the combine. Fua is athletic for a man of his size. He has the girth and balance to stay on his feet and make plays unlike Haynesworth who likes to take naps in the middle of games. The soft grass at Fed Ex Field must feel like a Sealy Posturepedic mattress. Don't let the game or 92,000 screaming Redskins fans disturb your rest Albert.
Sione attended Stanford so his intelligence is apparent. He seems to be a mature player that is willing to take the attention of two blockers while letting his defensive ends go one on one with their opponents. He will also allow middle linebacker London Fletcher the ability to run to the ball carrier without fighting through the interior linemen that are usually blocking him. Most of all, he will play without the me first attitude that ripped through the team last season from the overrated player of the year —Big Al Buttersworth.
Round 7, 213th Overall: Da'Rel Scott, RB, Maryland
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The Skins have three seventh-round picks and hope to find some quality depth and special teams help with them. This is the time of the draft when the three coordinators enter the room campaigning for the guy they feel will make a key contribution to their phase of the team.
I think the decision makers will make all three head men happy with a pick for each in the seventh round. The first pick will make offensive boss Kyle Shanahan happy. He will get his fast change of pace back that will bring electricity to the Redskins' backfield.
Da'Rel Scott out of the University of Maryland will bring blazing speed to a running backs group that needs it badly. Scott surprised everyone at the Indy combine when he ran a 4.39 second 40- yard dash which was the fastest time posted among the running backs. He had an impressive 200-yard rushing performance in the Terps 51-20 thrashing of East Carolina in the 2010 Military Bowl. Da'Rel also starred while at the East-West Shrine game and turned quite a few heads.
Scott brings size to go with his speed coming in at 5'11" and 211 pounds. His mix of speed and size will help on third down situations on offense and should make him an all-around threat on special teams. With the uncertainty of the Skins' rushing attack, Scott could even work his way into significant playing time as the regular running back. This would be a great value pick for the Redskins early in the seventh round.
Round 7, 224th Overall: Alex Wujciak, ILB, Maryland
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The first of three seventh-round picks went to make Kyle Shanahan happy. It is now time to give Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett a new toy to play with. In the 3-4 defense you want to have aggressive, hard-nosed playmakers that are willing to stick to their assignment and make the tackle when the play comes into their lane.
A perfect player in this defense is London Fletcher. He is smart, aggressive and a complete playmaker. He sticks to his assignment and makes the tackle 99 percent of the time. He is a little undersized but his determination has guided him through 14 NFL seasons so far. The Redskins will find a player in the image of Fletcher to start next to him in the middle of their 3-4 defense with this pick.
Alex Wujciak is best described as a tackling machine. In his time at the University of Maryland he amassed an incredible 381 tackles. Opponents quickly learned to Fear the Turtle while this Terp was punishing offenses throughout the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has good size at 6'3" 247 pounds, which will go well next to the diminutive Fletcher. Pairing these two together would give the defense two sure tacklers in the middle which would allow Orakpo and the other outside linebackers to be more aggressive.
Wujciak is the kind of player that I absolutely love. He has good but not great athletic ability. He has a motor that never stops and an intensity on the field that is contagious. He may not impress the scout that is only interested in running times and bench press totals. He will impress scouts, coaches, fans and fellow players that like a guy that can simply play football. I love this guy and all he brings to the team. He reminds me of a bigger Zach Thomas. He will quickly become a fan favorite and a key part of the new and improved Redskins' defense in 2011.
Round 7, 253rd Overall: Josh Jasper, K, LSU
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The Redskins received this pick as a supplemental one from the league. It is the second to last pick in the draft. There are two strategies that can be used with this pick. You can take the best player available on your board and hope he makes your roster. The other option is to take a lower-rated player at a position where he has a legitimate spot to make the team. I say the Skins take option two with their last pick of the seventh round and the 2011 draft. This pick is the one that will make Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith smile.
Josh Jasper will finish off the Redskins 2011 draft ending years of futility at the kicker position. The youngster out of LSU has a strong leg that will help with the new rules on kickoffs. He is extremely accurate on field goals making 82 percent during his senior season. He also led the nation in field goals made with 28. Jasper has a bonus ability of being a pooch punt specialist. He punted 21 times while landing 14 inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He could even save the Skins a much needed roster spot if he could handle both the kicking and punting duties.
What a relief it would be to not have to chew your nails every time a Redskins kicker lines up for a field goal. The Skins have been looking for consistency at the position since Chip Lohmiller in the late 80's and early 90's. They have been looking for a sure thing since the 70's and early 80's while the position was manned by the amazing Mark Moseley. The Skins will find a long-term answer with the drafting of Josh Jasper.
Backup Plan for Each Pick: Rounds 1-7
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Here is a backup plan for each round just in case the apple of the Redskins' eye is gone.
Round 1: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin:
Big, strong and athletic. Fills need of 3-4 pass rushing DE.
Round 2: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU:
Lacks dynamic physical tools but does the most important thing...WIN!
Round 5: Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
Could be a bigger version of Wes Welker. Rumors in D.C.say Skins love him.
Round 5: Zach Hurd, OG, Connecticut:
The 6'7" guard comes in at a hefty 316 pounds but moves well for a big man.
Round 6: Mike Mohamed, ILB, California
Very athletic and quick. Covers sideline to sideline. His motor never turns off.
Round 7: Brandon Bair, DE, Oregon:
26-years-old after serving Mormon mission. 6'7" 276 pound speed rusher.
Round 7: Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia:
Just what the Skins need, a fast back that is gone if you blink your eyes.
Round 7: Ryan Donahue, P, Iowa
Could be a long-term solution at kicker and punter. Strong leg, accurate pooch punter.
Will the New Redskins Return Old Glory Days to Washington?
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The 2011 NFL Draft is of great importance to the Washington Redskins. This team is is need of help in many areas. The players chosen in this draft will be a major part of the rebuilding phase the team is currently in. I know that people do not want to admit this team has to rebuild but they do.
They tried to retool last season while adding veterans such as Donovan McNabb but the results were not there. They did improve from four to six wins which is a direct result of the professionalism that was brought here by Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen. It is now time to go young and rest your reputation on picking and developing young talent. After you do that you can use free agency to fill in specific holes that remain on your roster.
The players that I have predicted the Skins will pick in late April will add youth and quality to this roster. They will have a true big threat No. 1 receiver. They will have their franchise quarterback for the next 10-15 years. They will plug in a solid interior offensive lineman while the other holes at guard and tackle can be filled in free agency. The team will fill the weak two thirds of the defensive line while removing the biggest malcontent from the roster. The change of pace speed back will be on board as will another tackling machine to man the other inside linebacker position. The team will also add a consistent and versatile kicker that will take the adventure out of field goals and even extra points.
This 2011 Redskins draft class will be a superb one. It would address many of the problems that have plagued this team over the recent past. I believe this front office will make smart decisions and will come away with this impressive group. Adding this amount of quality to the roster will be the dawn of a new day at Redskins Park and the first step in the Redskins return to their old glory days.
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