Draft Review: Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins

2nd Round, Pick #51:  David Amerson CB North Carolina State
Washington made their secondary a priority after it struggled through most of the past season.  Amerson was once thought to be a top 10 pick because of his size, speed, and ball skills.  However he slipped into the second round due to a poor 2012 season.  Amerson still has the talent and his size and strength fit in well with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett loving to run press coverage.  Amerson will get to compete right away for a starting spot and should see plenty of playing time.
Pick Grade:  A

3rd Round, Pick #85:  Jordan Reed TE Florida
Their lack of depth at the tight end spot really showed last year when Fred Davis went down with injury.  With Davis still questionable coming off his injury and Logan Paulson being more of a blocker the Redskins could use another weapon at the position.  Reed isn't a prototypical tight end because he won't offer anything in the run game.  But uses his elite quickness and route running to create mismatches in the passing game.  His versatility will also come in handy with offensive coordinator Brian Shannahan's unique offense.
Pick Grade:  B+

4th Round, Pick #119:  Phillip Thomas S Fresno State
After signing a bunch of has beens and backups to fix the safety situation, the Redskins now are going the draft route.  Thomas lead the nation with 8 INTs this year and was the Bulldogs leading tackler.  Thomas does lack elite range but with the lack of production they have at the position, Thomas will get every chance to win a starting spot.
Pick Grade:  A

5th Round, Pick #154:  Chris Thompson RB Florida State
Running back is not a position of need at all for the Redskins.  They have Alfred Morris who is a stud and Evan Royster as a backup who has played well when called upon.  Throw in Roy Helu who had a good rookie year coming off an injury and there is a lot of talent.  But I'll give them a pass since Thompson is a different type of back then all of them.  Thompson is a small speedster that reminds me of another Seminole in Warrick Dunn. 
Pick Grade:  C

5th Round, Pick #162:  Brandon Jenkins DE Florida State
Getting Brandon Jenkins here has all the makings of a steal.  Jenkins was a first round talent before a foot injury ended his season.  Jenkins is a great fit in the 3-4 because he is a good athlete and pass rusher.  Washington desperately needs to add another pass rusher to Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo.  To be honest, I can't believe he lasted this long.
Pick Grade:  A+

6th Round, Pick #191:  Bacarri Rambo S Georgia
Continuing their theme of improving the secondary the Redskins are hoping they found their new strong safety.  Rambo should have been a day two pick, but fell due to off the field issues.  Rambo has a knack for finding the ball and is good in run support.  He'll be able to find a role on special teams and could work his way into the starting lineup as he continues to develop.  But he's definitely worth the risk here in the 6th round.
Pick Grade:  A

7th Round, Pick #228:  Jawan Jamison RB Rutgers
I understand Mike Shannahan loves taking running backs late and has a track record of finding gems.  However they have no need for a running back and to use two picks on running backs when they have an elite player and two other young backs that have shown they can get it done.  So why not take another CB which is a huge area of need.  Or maybe getting a WR or lineman to help the offense.  Just don't get this at all.
Pick Grade:  F

Whose going to get RG3?

We know that Andrew Luck is going to go #1. Don't let anybody fool you. Robert Griffin isn't going to surpass Luck. With St. Louis sitting at the #2 spot they dont' have a need at QB but yet are in the position where teams are willing to move up to get RG3. Add that up with St. Louis' desire to trade down, it's safe to say that we are going to see the first top 3 trade since the Falcons moved up to draft Michael Vick in 2001. But who will be the team that lands Griffin? We have a good number of teams that could make the move, but with a strong group of Free Agent QBs lead by Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn available it makes this answer very murky. Let's take a look at the teams that could very well move up to get the talented Heisman Trophy Winner.

Top Contenders

Cleveland Browns
The Browns make the most sense for RG3. They have the most ammunition to make a trade (2 1st round picks this year) and are sitting at the #4 spot which won't take too much to move up. Add in that Colt McCoy has really struggled and doesn't look to have what it takes to be a Franchise QB. However, with GM Mike Holmgren in charge don't think that this is a slam dunk decision they'll move up to get him. Sure if RG3 falls to them at #4 they very well could take him. But Holmgren likes to accumulate draft picks rather than trade them away. And he has never taken a QB in the first round. He chooses to instead go out and get one. That means we need to look for them to be a major player in the Matt Flynn sweepstakes or bring in somebody else. But when it comes to the draft, you never know.

Washington
When you are starting John Beck and Rex Grossman at QB this past year, you know you need a QB badly. Mike Shanahan prefers to have a veteran QB, so you know they'll go after Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn aggressively. But I don't see Peyton Manning going there and the same with Flynn. A guy that they might end up with is Kyle Orton. But that doesn't mean he is a long term anwser. Robert Griffin would be their best choice. Shanahan loves mobile QBs who have strong arms. That describes Griffin very well. The thing to focus on here is the urgency Shanahan will have to get a QB. He needs a QB desperately. DESPERTELY. And if they are unable to land a quality free agent QB, moving up from #6 to the #2 spot will be a win at all costs for this organization.

Miami
Don't let the play of Matt Moore fool you. We saw this a couple of years ago when he took over for Jake Delhomme in Carolina and looked good to finish the season. The next year Moore was given the starting QB spot and struggled and then was released. With a new head coach in town they won't have any aligence to Moore and will look to find their QB of the future. The Dolphins have to be the leading candidate to get Matt Flynn. Mainly because of his ties to Philbin who was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay while Flynn was the backup. Besides Flynn they'll look to go after Manning also. However if they don't get either of those two, they could go after RG3 or wait till the 2nd round and get Ryan Tannehill who played for new Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman at Texas A&M.

Seattle
Whenever mock drafts or projections are made we haven't really heard much about Seattle moving up. A big part of that might have to deal with them picking at #12. But sometimes it's the teams that fly under the radar that get the job done and pull the trigger. Like a majority of the above teams, they'll be in the running for Matt Flynn and Peyton Manning. They and the Dolphins are the favorites to get Flynn in my opinion. However if Seattle strikes out with Flynn and Manning (aren't getting him IMO) they could feel the pressure to get a top flight QB prospect and move up to get RG3. But moving up from 12 would take a lot more than the other teams and the Seahawks would have to give up at least next year's 1st round pick along with their current 2nd rounder at least. That might be too rich for this team.

Wildcards

Arizona
The Cardinals have been talking opening about improving the QB position all off season and didn't shy away from it on the opening day of the combine. But their target is Peyton Manning for a shot fix before moving back to Kevin Kolb or John Skelton. However if they want to upgrade the QB position, you can't rule out RG3. It's a long shot, but you never really know.

Dallas
Would you really be shocked if Dallas made a move to go and get RG3? I sure wouldn't. Tony Romo is alright, but he isn't an elite player and there have been rumors that Jerry Jones has considered upgrading. Robert Griffin to Dallas makes some sense. The Baylor prospect is born and raised in Texas and a dynamic playmaker. Sounds like a guy that Jerry Jones would love to have. And when Jerry wants a player and can make it happen, he usually pulls out all the stops.

My prediction for the team to get RG3........Washington Redskins

Underrated Free Agent Moves

Going into this abbreviated free agency period we all heard about the big names like Nnamdi Asomugha, Sidney Rice, Logan Mankins, and Santonio Holmes but there are plenty of other free agents that have signed with new teams that are going to pay immediate dividends this upcoming season. Here is a look a ten moves that weren't talked about much, but will be crucial to that teams success.

1. Jonathan Joseph CB to the Houston Texans
It surprises me how little attention Jonathan Joseph got during this time period. Now he isn't on the same level as Nnamdi Asomugha but he is just a notch below. ESPN.com did a great job breaking down the numbers between Joseph and Asomugha and Joseph was actually on level with him. The problem was that Jospeh was targeted more frequently than Asomugh. The Texans with this signing solved a big issue they had last season. Glover Quinn and Kareem Jackson were torched last season and there was nobody else behind them. Jackson is going into his second season and should improve, while Quinn will likely move to FS which better suites his skills. A great pick up for the Texans which should allow them to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.


2. Steve Breaston WR to the Kansas City Chiefs
When you have Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin on your team you often times get overlooked. Now Breaston isn't a #1 type receiver but he does a great job stretching the field and making it easier for the #1 guy. Breaston is reuniting with Todd Haley who was the offensive coordinator a couple years back in Arizona and it won't take long for him to get adjusted. Breaston will fit in well with Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin and give Matt Cassell three very good options. Lets just say touchdowns will be aplenty this season in Kansas City.


3. Robert Gallary G to the Seattle Seahawks
A lot of people think that Robert Gallary is a colossal bust. After being drafted #2 overall, Gallary struggled at left tackle. But being moved inside to guard Gallary has really come into his own and has performed at a Pro Bowl level. You still don't think of a guard as being #2 overall worthy, but he is a starter in the league and you can't say that about every top 10 pick. Gallary here follows former Raider head coach Tom Cable to Seattle (now the O-line coach) and will fill in at the left guard spot that hasn't been filled since Steve Hutchinson left years ago. Gallary fits great into the zone blocking scheme that the Seahawks run and help improve the group that Seattle has really tried to make a strength.


4. Darren Sproles RB to the New Orleans Saints
This signing really surprised me. With the Saints drafting Mark Ingram it looked like that move would force Reggie Bush out. The last thing I thought they would do would bring in another running back. This must mean that either Chris Ivroy or Pierre Thomas might be out as well. Sproles comes in and takes over Bush's role as the back that will catch passes out of the backfield and return kicks and punts. Sproles has regress the past two seasons but is still an upgrade over Bush.


5. Willis McGahee RB to the Denver Broncos
Now McGahee isn't the every down workhorse that he use to be. But John Fox really loves to run the ball and after DeAngelo Williams decided to return to Carolina, there wasn't many options left. Denver doesn't have many options at the position and somebody had to be brought in. Knowshon Moreno has the talent to be the feature back, but hasn't shown that he can stay healthy. McGahee gives the Broncos a tough runner who will go between the tackles and hopefully allow Moreno to fill a complementary role before eventually taking over the position.


6. Justin Durant LB to the Detroit Lions
One of the biggest weaknesses the Lions had this past season was their linebacking core. DeAndre Levy has emerged as a starter at either MLB or SLB. Other than Levy there wasn't much talent there. Durant has a lot of talent, but is often injured. If he can stay healthy he'll do a lot to improve the linebackers and help out what looks to be one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.


7. Stewart Bradley LB to the Arizona Cardinals
When healthy Stewart Bradley was a Pro Bowl Caliber middle linebacker a perfect fit for the Eagles attacking defense. However Bradley hasn't been healthy the past two years and the Eagles weren't willing to take the risk anymore. Now Bradley goes out to Arizona and should fit very well in the Cardinals 3-4 defense. Bradley is an excellent blitzer and does well in coverage too. If healthy he could help fill the shoes of Karlos Danby who left before last year. This is a nice low risk high reward possibility.


8. Dwan Landry S to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Dwan Landry is a very solid safety who was often overshadowed by the likes of Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs. However Landry is a very good strong safety that help out the run and not be a liability in coverage. He helps out the Jaguars whose secondary is awful. Landry should step in immediately and help to improve a group that is void of a lot of talent.


9. Barry Coefield DT to the Washington Redskins
The plan was for Albert Haynesworth to be a force in the middle of the Redskins 3-4 defense. However Haynesworth wasn't too keen on being a NT in the 3-4 and his effort showed. Now that he is gone the Redskins needed a new person in the middle and went out on got Coefield who had been with the Giants. Coefield hasn't played in the 3-4 so it will be interested to see how he does. But the Redskins are getting a solid run stuffer to add that they haven't had the past two years.


10. Harvey Dahl G to the St. Louis Rams
Now that the Rams have their franchise quarterback its important to build around him. They have drafted their two bookend tackles and now they get some help on the interior. Dahl is a nasty guard who plays on edge. He'll be a huge help in the run game and give the rest of the offensive line some toughness that they could really use.

NFL East Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys

There was talk that the Cowboys could move down and get a better value in a tackle there. Tyron Smith isn't a bad prospect, but no tackle in this class is worth a top 10 selection and there were better options than Smith in my opinion. If Smith isn't a LT in college, why would he be one now? Smith is being drafted on his potential but he is a boom or bust pick in my eyes. Bruce Carter is a player that I think was over hyped. He is a good athlete, but he relies too much on his athletic ability. Add in that he won't be ready when the season starts and its overdrafting in my opinion. Plus I don't really see him fitting in a 3-4. He's a 4-3 WLB all the way. DeMarco Murry is a good player when healthy, but when he's healthy. Plus they already have Felix Jones who is basically the same player. Josh Thomas is a cornerback out of Buffalo that I think is underrated. Now he isn't going to make the all rookie team, but they got him at a good value and he'll be a good developmental player at a position of need. Dewayne Harris is a nice player that could develop into that Alvin Harper type of deep threat to open the field for Dez Bryant.

Best Pick: Josh Thomas CB Buffalo
Worst Pick: Tyron Smith OT USC

Overall Grade: F

New York Giants

I'm a big fan of the Giants and it isn't because they took my man crush Prince Amukamara. The Giants got good value at each pick and still were able to address most of their needs. It would have been nice to get a eventual replacement at center, but this class was soo weak at that posit on that they could get just as good of value in taking a UDFA. In the first round they took Prince Amukamara who was falling because of the depth at the defensive line. Cornerback isn't a huge need, but now the Giants have three guys who can be lock down corners and that is needed in a division with Philly and the Cowboys. Marvin Austin would have been a top 15 pick if he wasn't suspended the entire year and they got him in the middle of the 2nd round. If he's motivated he can wreck havoc on the interior for a team that loves to rush just the front four. James Brewer gives them a future right tackle, Jerell Jernigan gives them a dynamic slot receiver to pair up with Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, and Greg Jones gives them some much needed linebacker depth. Great draft for the Giants.



Best Pick: Marvin Austin DT North Carolina

Worst Pick: None



Overall Grade: A+



Philadelphia Eagles


Overall I really like what the Eagles did in this draft but I think they took some players higher than they should have gone. I think Danny Watkins was a good pick and a good fit, but with Gabe Carimi on the board, they must have thought that Watkins wasn't going to be around if they moved down. Jaiquawn Jarrett is very similar. Solid player and good fit, but could have been taken in the 3rd round. Curtis Marsh is a raw cornerback and is going to need to take some time, but with a team that needs a starter opposite of Asante Samuel, you have to wonder if they should have taken Jimmy Smith. The Alex Henery pick got a lot of people wondering, but if you look at the history of kickers taken he's right in there with comparable guys. Henery has a big leg and is very very accurate. People will forget where he is drafted in a couple of years when he is doing very well. Dion Lewis will get an opprotunity to give LeSean McCoy some breaks, but I wonder if his size will catch up to him. I'm not a big fan of the Casey Matthews pick. I think he went higher than he should have because of his name. He isn't Clay. He never really dominated games, but I guess Clay didn't either. He'll be a solid fit, but he'll be more of a special teamer than a star in this league. However the pick that I really like is the Stanley Havili pick in the 7th round. Havili isn't your typical road grader fullback. He is more of a poor man's Tom Rathman who is more of a weapon. Look for Andy Reid to draw up some plays where Havili will be catching passes out of the backfield and being an inside runner. Not a spectacular draft, but a solid one.


Best Pick: Stanley Havili FB USC

Worst Pick: Brian Rolle LB Ohio State



Overall Grade: B

Washington Redskins

I'll make this pretty clear right off the bat. I'm not a big fan of Blaine Gabbert. I think he has a shot to be a solid QB in this league, but won't be elite by any means. But with him sitting there at 10 and the Redskins passing and not taking a QB the entire draft is not good. Right now they are going into next year with John Beck as their stater. You remember, the guy the Dolphins took in the 2nd round a couple years back. But I guess maybe they are holding out hope for Andrew Luck next year. When the Redskins moved down the rumor was they were looking to target Robert Quinn to be an OLB in their 3-4. But with him going the pick before what did they do, take Ryan Kerrigan. Now I like Kerrigan, but as a 4-3 DE. I don't see Kerrigan having the athletic ability to play standing up. Plus with Pass Rushing ace Brian Orakpo on the other side they are going to ask Kerrigan to drop into coverage more? Jarvis Jenkins is a solid player but not a top 50 guy. Where Washington did very well was in the middle rounds. Getting Leonard Hankerson is the 3rd was a GREAT pick. Hankerson I thought might have been the 3rd best receiver in the draft. Roy Helu isn't a flashy back, but he has the one cut and speed to thrive in Shanahan's offense. And a sleeper that nobody was really talking about is DeJon Gomes. A hybrid player in college Gomes played linebacker, cornerback, and safety. Look for Gomes to make an impact on special teams and don't be surprised if he is their nickle back mid way through the season.

Best Pick: Leonard Hankerson WR Miami

Worst Pick: Jarvis Jenkins DT Clemson

Overall Grade: D+