To continue our own mock draft, the Washington Redskins are on the clock with the 13th Pick in the draft.
Assuming the Skins still have this pick and haven’t traded up or down or acquired Jay Cutler, Washington has several areas of needs. The Redskins could definitely use help along both lines, as well as upgrading a line backing unit that was battered and aging all last season. Washington also needs to plan for the future and draft a cover corner and running back. Betts and Portis are approaching 30 and with the load that Portis has carried it has him mirroring an Earl Campbell like ending.
Below are the positions of need with analysis:
Wide Receiver:
"WHAT?! How about a HELL YEAH?!", as Stone Cold Steve Austin would say. How could a flashy receiver not enter the conversation when discussing what the Redskins and owner Dan Snyder will do in the draft? Think about all of the wonderful receivers the Skins have drafted such as Michael Westbrook (can't win a title then win a fight with a teammate), Rod (Hands of Stone) Gardner, Taylor Jacobs, and of course none of this would have started if not for the incomparable Desmond Howard. Yes, remember the Skins traded up one slot to get Howard.
Each high 1st Round bust at receiver set the Skins back. Danny likes the flashy, get the ball up the field and let the announcers marvel at his genius relating to such player moves. The Skins could be looking at Harvin at this pick but may air on the side of caution due to fan backlash. The fans may have had a little something to do with pull back of Fassel potentially becoming head coach in Washington at one point.
Linebacker:
Much of why the Redskins ranked 4th in team defense can be attributed to the linebacker unit. The quality and depth helped overcome the lack of effectiveness of the defensive line. The group barely made it through one of its roughest seasons exposing both the rapid aging on the unit and injuries. Both of these issues were accelerated by the lack of any pressure by the front four. The unit was asked to cover more ground and take on more blockers at full speed creating more high impact collisions. Rocky's knee became a concern near the end of the season and Marcus Washington missed more games than at any point in his Redskin career. London Fletcher also felt the effects of the defensive line woes.
The Redskins may look to address a pending area of need this year. It's a move that would allow the Skins to look elsewhere in future drafts. The release of Marcus Washington, Rocky's knee, and the specter of how long Fletcher can perform at such a high level as he approaches his mid 30s should have Washington thinking about drafting one of USC's linebackers whether it's ILB Rey Maualuga or OLB Brian Cushing & Clay Matthews. Cushing and Matthews are moving up the draft boards with Matthews sneaking his way into 1st Round projections. More speed, athleticism, energy, and youth in this unit couldn't hurt especially with the injuries that have mounted over the past couple of seasons. The protection of Haynesworth may allow the Skins to delay such a pick until later in the draft or even into next season's draft.
Defensive End:
It's obvious how poor the defensive line has been since the early 1990s and the last championship in 1991. Adding some pressure off the edge will present a formidable challenge to opposing offenses. The problem arises that Carter's pressure is inconsistent and creates too many lanes to run through on running plays. Renaldo Wynn, back for a second tour with the Skins, was no barn burner in his first stint in Washington. Anytime you call and DE a run stopper you can expect little pressure on passing downs. Wynn fits this mold to a tee. Most of the touted DEs have now been drafted, so the Skins may look elsewhere with the first pick and explore other opportunities to improve upon their paltry 24 sacks (28th best) from last season.
Offensive Line
Grumblings out of Washington have the Redskins desperately seeking to replace Jon Jansen this season where efforts failed last season. The re-acquisition of Dockery has the Redskins looking at RT. Most of the top OT are off the board. If Andre Smith had slipped, the Redskins may not have taken him as Zorn has made a point of conditioning and offseason efforts.
13th Pick: Michael Oher, OT Mississippi
Oher is more suited to RT at the professional level and can maul opposing lineman. He can make an immediate impact and push Stephon Heyer for the starting position. It's a move that will help add depth, energy, and youth to the aging unit. Oher could slip much farther in the draft. He's the last of the top four tackles available. OT is a particular position of need for the Skins and with so few impact players left the Redskins can breathe easier that they've improved the O-line.
The New Orleans Saints are now on the clock with the 14th Pick.
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