As the Redskins prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft next weekend, they should look at their roster over the next few years to formulate a plan to better position themselves not just this coming season, but in future seasons too. The lack of looking past the current season has been a sticking point for Redskins fans for years now. It's blatantly obvious how poor the pass rush has been for the past two decades, as well as how much criticism the offensive line has received. These are two most immediate areas of need for the team, but neglecting other positions could prove just as disastrous in the long term future of the team.
The team's most productive unit the past couple of seasons has been its linebackers. They've been worn down due to the lack of pressure and production by the front four. The Skins already released Marcus Washington. London Fletcher played most of the season despite various injures and will turn 34 in May. Rocky McIntosh battled through aching knees down the home stretch of the season and may face these problems the rest of his career. What once was the strength of the team could quickly become the weakest if adequate steps aren't taken. Re-signing Washington would be a good start.
Portis has carried quite the load since coming to Washington. Gone are the gashing long runs that Portis had in Denver and in comes the power running game that's shouldered most of the load for Redskins victories all on Clinton Portis' back. He's nearing 30 and with the pounding Portis takes the team should look to find the next running back for the team.
Here are a few possible options to help acquire some draft picks and talent:
• Trade Randel-El and Betts to the Bengals for a 2nd Round Pick. It makes sense and helps both teams. It's a win-win scenario. The Bengals desperately need help at running back and receiver. They lost Houshmanzedah in free agency and can't feel comfortable with Benson as their primary back. The pick would allow the Skins to draft either the top interior lineman in the draft or a running back to become the heir apparent to Portis. Portis is wearing down and can take only so much more punishment before the game starts to slowly slip by him. The Redskins could also sign a veteran free agent running back to a short term deal one or two years and make drafting a running back next year a top priority.
• Sign a veteran free agent corner back (several have been released recently from Dre Bly to McAlister) to a small short term contract and trade the self - proclaimed all pro corner back Carlos Rogers for a 2nd Round Pick. It wasn't the best year to shop for a cover corner back this offseason and left many free agent corners garnering more favorable contracts than expected due to the shortage of corners. Roger's improvements last season along with his relatively young age and short supply of corner backs should prove useful in acquiring a top pick. Trading Rogers would make RB & CB top areas of concerns next season, but allow the Redskins to address the needs at OL, DL, & LB.
• Trade down a few places in the draft (if possible - after all it takes two teams to make a trade and another team has to want the Skins pick) to acquire an additional pick in the 2nd Round and draft the same player they would have taken with their 13th pick. The Redskins have shown the ability to trade up and down but have also made some blunders by giving up too much to move up or move so far down that no immediate impact player was available.
The only positions that Q- hopes aren't taken in the draft are receivers and really who can blame him. Hopefully the Redskins will take a much more proven and logical long term strategy and approach entering the draft and stabalize the roster.
Podcast RSS Feed
