2011 NFL Draft: Redskins Need Strong Third Day for Successful Draft

The 2011 NFL draft starts on Thursday, and the Redskins hold the 10th overall pick. This is the pick on which their draft will probably judged most harshly. The team also holds a pick on day two of the draft on Friday.

That pick is the 41st overall pick, but the Skins do not own a third-round pick. While the most notable and highly graded players will be taken on the first two days, the Redskins can make this a successful draft with smart choice on day three.

The Redskins own six picks on Saturday when rounds four through seven are conducted. This may not look like much for the team to build on to most observers. I disagree with this mindset. There are gems to be found to the team that digs deep enough to find them. The Redskins brain trust must do this in order for the 2011 draft to be deemed a success.

In past drafts, the Redskins have done very well with their first-round selections. Looking back you will see successful picks with Tackle Trent Williams in 2010 and Linebacker Brian Orakpo in 2009.

In 2007, the Skins hit pay dirt with the selection of safety LaRon Landry from LSU. The best first-round pick in recent memory was that of the late Sean Taylor. He made an impact from day one and would most certainly be well on his way to a Hall-of-Fame career if not for his untimely and sad death. The Redskins draft problems have not been with the top picks; it is when you go deeper into the draft that you uncover their ineptness.

There have been a few later round picks that have turned out to be wise. In 2004, the Redskins drafted tight end Chris Cooley out of Utah State in the third round. He has turned into one of the team's most productive players, a team leader and fan favorite. If the Skins can find more of this type of player in day three this year, they will fill numerous holes on the roster.

Other players who have made contributions from the later round picks include Reed Doughty who has started at safety since the Taylor tragedy. He has also been a valuable member of the special teams, which is an area that really benefits from smart late-round picks. Kedric Golston, H.B. Blades and Rock Cartwright also made the team look good with their quality play.

The choices made by the front office of the Redskins with their fifth through seventh round picks will decide if this draft is a success. This is the dawn of a new day for the Redskins decision makers.

If they avoid their recent past and make smart, quality picks in the late rounds, you will see a few starters emerge and depth will begin to develop on the roster. If they revert to their mistakes of the past, you will see five of the six picks either cut from the team or buried on the practice squad showing they do not have the talent to make the active roster.

My advice is to accept the picks that are made in rounds one and two and figure they will be productive. Look closely at the picks made on Saturday and see how many make the team. After that, follow their progress and see if they are contributing.

How many are starters? How many are quality backup players adding depth in case of injury? How many are contributing on special teams allowing starters to not have to risk their bodies on coverage and return units?

If you count them up and come away with four or more, then this draft will be a success. If you count less than four, you will probably be looking at the same mistakes that have plagued this team for years.

The draft will probably not be won with the picks made after the first two days, but it can be lost. We have seen that story often in Washington. Let's hope this is the dawn of a new-found intelligence in the Redskins front office as they search for those late-round diamonds in the rough.