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Big Draft Blog
By now we all know the Skins' major needs in this draft. And we all know they are shopping that first round pick. Maybe they end up moving it for a WR at the draft, or perhaps even making a move for Jason Taylor (his agent is very tight with Vinny Cerrato, though his age would be a concern).
But let's assume they hold on to most of their 9 picks (and they will also look very hard for a good deal in attempts to trade down and acquire more picks as well), and try to address their key areas. Here a final overview on players who have caught Washington's eye. By no means is this an end-all and be-all, as there are hundreds and hundreds and of kids being evaluated and any team's draft is at the mercy of those who pick before them each round, but some of these players could be in the maroon and black sooner rather than later:
WR
The Skins spent their last day of evaluating players up close on two WRs - Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma) and Jordy Nelson (Kansas State) - as well as DE Phillip Merling. Either, to me, is a stretch at 21, especially given the abundance of relatively comparable receivers in this draft. There's no real standout, definitely franchise guy in the eyes of scouts, but lots of good value to be had in rounds 2-6. Limas Sweed, of Texas, is also clumped in that cluster of what the Skins deem to be the three best WRs in this draft, sources said.
To me the smart play is, if you have to pick at 21, take Merling. It's safer and he could end up starting right away assuming no setbacks with the hernia recovery. Then you can take Nelson in the second round. (The Skins had private workouts with Nelson and Kelly Thursday and both caught passes from QB Jason Campbell). WR has been a position of particular import to Snyder. You often hear about he miffed he was the team passed on Santana Moss in the draft - a player he wanted - and he was very high on Calvin Johnson and Braylon Edwards the past few years, mulling trading up for them. Last year, team sources said Snyder was very interested in taking Ted Ginn with the sixth-overall pick,
Obviously, as we've said for months, they were all about trying to pry Chad Johnson or Anquan Boldin away, but team sources said the club highly doubts being able to get either one, now. So I can't see them passing on this position entirely.
Perhaps they even double up and take another one later on. Should the Skins wait until the third round, sources said they are very high on some small-school kids: Jerome Simpson (Coastal Carolina) or Dexter Jackson (Appalachian State) could burst through in the 3rd-5th round and Arman Shields (Richmond) did very well in his visit to Redskins Park, sources said, and could prove to be a great value pick in the fifth round. (Jackson's return skills excite the Skins as well).
T
The Skins love Albert (Virginia) and Williams (Vandy), but it would be stunning if they are still there at 21, and trading up would be very difficult. The Redskins also showed some interest in Jeff Otah (Pitt), but, again, would likely have to move up to get him.
More likely would be waiting getting Duane Brown, from Virginia Tech. Joe Bugel has raved about the kid and seen him up close. He's a versatile prospect (a former tight end who is raw but athletic) who could possibly play some guard in the near term. He could still be on the board in the third round, and with two picks in that round I could see the Skins making a move (some scouts project him around pick 40-50 as well, so maybe he goes in the second).
DE
Merling was considered a top-10 pick before the sports hernia injury forced him to miss the combine. He made a strong impression during his workout Thursday, league sources said, and DC Greg Blache has made getting young D Lineman a priority in this draft. At 21 I'm not sure the Skins will find a higher rated guy on their draft board. Miami's Calais Campbell has been plummeting, and if he's still there in the mid rounds and the Skins pass on Merling then they could make a move. They love Miami kids and their new D Line coach coached Campbell in college.
DT
During internal scouting reports, Washington's coaches listed the need for a young tackle, capable of collapsing the pocket, at the top on defense. After passing on a host of free agent and trade possibilities in the offseason, it's hard to imagine the Skins not taking someone on Sunday who could help in this regard. Blache favors young, eager guys, who bring no baggage and will know his way of doing things, and his way only. (Hence passing on so many retreads).
But after the top two studs are off the board, there's a big dropoff in ability (and a glut of players best suited for a 3-4 defense, and not a 4-3), but some good prospects to he had in the 3-6th round. Should the Skins take Merling and then say, Nelson, in the second round, I could see them coming around and using both third round picks to solidify the line - one on offense and one on defense.
Three names to keep an eye one: Dre Moore (Maryland) was about the only DT to post strong 40-times and he's surging up some boards. He's an athlete Blache could really round into the shape. Skins scouts have also kept a close eye on another player with late-rising potential, Letroy Guion (Florida State). He performed well at his Pro Day, which the Skins attended, and is getting attention from 3-4 teams like the Jets and the Steelers, as well as the Skins and Giants. He could be a good mid-round pick, and has the kind of versatility Blache covets. Trevor Laws (Notre Dame) could fit well, too, and Blache and Cerrato have strong ties to that program.
C/G
The center position is quite thin in this draft, but a couple of players have drawn the Skins attention. Team sources said that they have C Mike Pollak, of Arizona State. He visited Redskins Park and is someone they could pounce on in the second day of the draft. He has the size and is enough of an anchor to play guard - injury and age are a concern for the team at that position - while also backing up Casey Rabach (the Skins have a practice squad prospect currently behind Rabach). Steve Justice, of Wake Forrest, is another candidate for selection and the Skins like him as well, but he is not as physical. Justice does project well to West Coast systems in a zone scheme, and while Bugel has incorporated more of that in recent years Pollak may be a better fit in what he looks for.
Few of the Cs in the draft show good guard ability, but he does. Regardless, I could see Justice or Pollak coming here, depending on how the board shapes up.
S
Like center, this position is quite thin on bigtime players. Miami S Kenny Phillips will be the first to go, maybe at the tail end of the first round, and taking another DB so high is a luxury the Skins can't afford. But with just 3 safeties on the current roster, they definitely have a need there and intend to take one on the second day of the draft. Thomas Decoud (Cal) has earned praise from the Skins, sources said, and is certainly on their radar. Tyrell Johnson (Arkansas State). The draft is loaded with corners, too, and though I still see the Skins signed a veteran to be the No. 3 guy while Carlos Rogers tries to recover from major knee surgery, they could take a CB in the 5-7 round as well.
QB
Josh Johnson (San Diego) did not play bigtime football, but he has certainly caught Jim Zorn's eye. He may end up going in the third round, which is higher than where the Skins would ideally take a QB to groom long-term, and Washington lacks a 4th round pick right now ... but I'd still keep an eye on this kid Sunday. He put up amazing numbers. They could make a play for him. Zorn also likes Tenn. QB Erik Ainge, a monster at 6-6, could still be there in the 5th round. If either of these kids are there I see the Skins moving on one of them by that round, perhaps sooner. Ricky Santos (New Hampshire) is a player the Skins could very well try to sign as a free agent should be not get picked Sunday.
LB
Very unlikely they move for anyone in the high rounds, though they have some rated high. But getting someone who can back-up on the outside and play special teams is certainly a target for the late rounds. The Skins have misfired on this type of player often in the past, but did find a potential keeper in MLB HB Blades late last draft. There is an abundance of kids worth taking a risk on at this position in the final few rounds.
