2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Things the Washington Redskins Could Do with a High Pick

In a recent 2012 NFL mock draft I did, the Washington Redskins took Andrew Luck with the first overall pick and that was that.

However, with a whole season of football left to play, there is no guarantee that Washington ends up with the worst record, and simply giving them Andrew Luck isn't enough.

The Redskins are in complete shambles right now, having nothing convincing on the offensive side of the ball.

For this article, we speculate what the Redskins could do—other than simply draft Andrew Luck—if they have a high pick.

Trade Up

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) poses for a photo with Julio Jones, #6 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Ph

Let's presume that Washington doesn't have a top-five pick and rather, the team falls within the range of the fifth and 10th picks.

If the Redskins fall in love with a player and don't feel they will be able to grab that player with the pick they have, Washington could trade up for a top pick.

The NFL draft is all about getting your "guy," and if the Redskins are set on one "guy," there is no reason they shouldn't move up and make the pick.

Not every team in the top five will desperately need a quarterback, and a team would be happy to receive a nice package from the Redskins in exchange for their high pick.

Trade Down

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Phil Taylor, #21 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots are bound to have two first-rounders next year, and when the Kevin Kolb sweepstakes is done with, the Philadelphia Eagles could have two first-rounders as well.

Washington could, conceivably, trade away a high pick for two first-rounders and change.

With a team as bad as the Redskins, one player is not going to make this team competitive again, and they could be better suited to grab three or four guys instead.

Don't be surprised if a team like New England falls in love with a player at the top of the draft board and trades up for that player.

Draft a Franchise Quarterback

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Gett

The quarterback situation in Washington is so bad that in a slideshow designed not to mention Andrew Luck as an option, Andrew Luck is mentioned here as an option.

Even past Luck, other franchise quarterbacks like Matt Barkley and Landry Jones could still be around when Washington picks.

The Redskins need to start from scratch with a rookie signal-caller, and would be well served to draft one of the big three quarterbacks in next year's draft.

With a high pick and one of these guys on the board, the temptation may be too much to resist.

Take the Top Wideout on the Board

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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during their game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

In 2007, the Detroit Lions selected a "can't-miss" prospect named Calvin Johnson out of Georgia Tech, deciding to entrench their cornerstone wide receiver before getting a franchise quarterback.

The Redskins could quite possibly do the same thing.

With two top receivers set to enter the draft next year in Alshon Jeffery and Justin Blackmon, Washington could upgrade a mediocre receiving corps with a young star.

Santana Moss may not be on the team by the time the 2011 draft rolls around, and without much of a passing attack, Washington could take a big-time pass-catcher.

Select the Best Defensive Lineman Left

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Jerel Worthy #99 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a defensive play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonatha

The Redskins have made anything but a seamless transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive front, and without much of a push in the trenches, this team can't expect to win games.

After drafting Ryan Kerrigan, this team is getting stronger on defense, but Washington still doesn't have the firepower along the defensive line that it envisioned when signing Albert Haynesworth.

Quinton Coples and Jerel Worthy would be two good fits, and depending on where they pick, Marcus Forston could work out, too.

The Redskins need a cornerstone player in the trenches on defense and without one, the team will inevitably struggle.