The only thing predictable about this draft so far has been its unpredictability. After one round, we’ve seen Shariff Floyd fall from a projected third overall choice down to No. 23 with the Vikings, who ended up drafting three players in the first round. We’ve seen the Bills take E.J. Manuel as the first quarterback off the board. The Cowboys traded back and drafted a projected second rounder with the 31st selection.
Heading into Day 2, names like Manti Te’o, Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, Eddie Lacy, and Jonathan Cyprien remain available.
With their first pick not until No. 51 in the second round, it’s clear the biggest needs for the Redskins are safety and cornerback but with talents like Robert Woods from USC and Keenan Allen from Cal still on the board, wide receiver could still be a possibility. However, the second round could be where the cornerback dominoes start to fall and force the Washington to select one before the top of the group is selected.
The Redskins own the 51st (2nd round) and the 85th overall selection (3rd round).
2nd Round – No. 51 Overall – David Amerson – CB – N.C. State
With their second round selection, the Redskins decided to take cornerback David Amerson out of North Carolina State.
Ranked as the 19th best safety in the country coming out of high school, Amerson transitioned to become a skilled cornerback, picking off 13 passes as a sophomore in 2011 and earning him the Jack Tatum Award. Amerson also possesses size with his repertoire at 6’1″. However, he had a down year in 2012, getting burned deep regularly. He finished last season with 61 tackles and five interceptions.
He told local reporters in a conference call that the coaches will keep him at cornerback and playing safety was not mentioned.
However, he is still regarded as a bit raw and was burned deep a bit in 2012. The Redskins coaches hope working with DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson and E.J. Biggers, all of whom have expiring contracts after 2013, will help give him time to develop into a pro.
Here’s a summary of Amerson provided by Pro Football Weekly: “Overhyped, enigmatic, Jekyll-and-Hyde interceptor who looked like a slam dunk first round pick during his 13-interception sophomore season but was repeatedly burned as a junior. Zone, off-man corner who will never be a shutdown cover man, and the team that drafts him must be willing to sacrifice consistency for turnovers.”
3rd Round – No. 85 Overall – Jordan Reed – TE – Florida
The Redskins opted to select a young security blanket with their third round pick. Reed adds depth to a tight end spot that may be without starter Fred Davis after he becomes a free agent in 2014.
Reed, 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds, was a quarterback coming out of high school but made the move to tight end with the Gators. His versatility should help his adjustment to the dynamic Redskins offense.
During a conference call with local reporters, Reed shed light on head coach Mike Shanahan’s approach to the draft, admitting he had no idea the team was interested in him and that the team had not contacted him at any point before tonight.
In his 2012 senior season, Reed started 12 of 13 games and caught 45 passes for 559 yards and three touchdowns.