Hypothetical Scenario

[SkinsFreak]

Let's assume for a moment, as a hypothetical scenario, that we can't trade down and have to stay at #6.

Everyone is in agreement that we need defensive line help. The following four candidates seem to be the cream of the crop:

Amobi Okoye
Alan Branch
Jamaal Anderson
Gaines Adams

... or other player.

Assuming we can't trade down, who do you take?

[1niksder]

Looks like it's a close race

[SkinsFreak]

No stones, huh? 43 "views" and no one can decide who they'd take?

That's the problem, IMO. All good players but not one of them really stands out at #6 or concidered to be worthy of the guaranteed money at #6. Currently, some say Gaines is worth it... but some don't.

But if we could trade down a few spots, and that is contingent on other teams, then one of these guys is worth a shot. But at #6? I just don't know. That's why I think some are projecting a guy like Landry to go to the Skins.

This increased importance at tight end also has driven up the value of safeties. Last year, three of the top eight picks were tight ends or safeties. With more teams looking for a matchup advantage from athletic tight ends, defensive coordinators no longer can afford to consider free safety and strong safety as mutually exclusive positions.

Safeties who can do it all (support the run, match up one-on-one in the slot and hold up in deep-middle zone coverage) are worth big bucks. That's why it should be no surprise that after the 49ers took Davis No. 6 last year, the next two players selected were Michael Huff (Raiders, No. 7) and Donte Whitner (Bills, No. -- both 203-pound safeties who hit like linebackers and cover like cornerbacks.

The recent shift in this trend bodes well for LSU safety Laron Landry and Miami TE Greg Olsen, as both could be top-15 selections.

http://www.the-hogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23263

It's gonna get interesting!

[SkinsFreak]

Something interesting...

3. Which player is likely to disappoint after his rookie season?
No one can predict where the bust label should be put and in fact, it's a bad idea to think anyone can figure it out. Quarterbacks always stand the chance of being labeled, especially if they go to bad teams and have to play too early.

When I posed this question to two personnel, they both thought the highest risk in the first round is with the pass rushers, especially Jamaal Anderson and Jarvis Moss. They are two very talented young players, but considering what happened to Mario Williams his rookie season, there are issues that scare some teams.

Williams came out of college as a 6-foot-6, 295-pound specimen who had 26½ sacks in college and 35 reps on the bench press test. He finished up his rookie season with 4½ sacks. Mathias Kiwanuka had 37½ sacks at Boston College, but only got to the QB four times as a rookie. Kameron Wimbley had excellent numbers as a rookie, but he was moved to outside linebacker and the scheme helped him. If Anderson and Moss have to play with their hands on the ground, then there might be some concern.

Both players left school early, have under 20 college starts and neither one is much more than a one dimensional pass rusher at this point. Neither has demonstrated the power and strength to hold up on the line of scrimmage. Moss only had 16 reps on the bench (eight less than Quinn) and Anderson's 22 reps isn't much better. Neither player comes to pro football with 20 career sacks in college. Moss has 15 and Anderson 17½, which probably translates to very pedestrian numbers as rookies. I would never call any player a 'bust' before he gets his chance to perform. But there are clear cut concerns about the pass rushers in this draft.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/10119448

[funbuncher]

You make a good point SkinsFreak. I myself have been waffling back and forth for months about which D-lineman to take just because it is such a need position. But safety is a need too, arguably not as big a need, but with an "elite" prospect like Landry and at least "some" need at that position, it doesn't seem as unwise as many on this board make it out to be. If Julius Peppers was sitting there I might feel differently, but...

Landry is the TOP OVERALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT according to Scouts Inc. He was a 4 year starter at a big time program, and also has a less talented older brother who was considered a fifth round steal for the Ravens at FS. He's a vocal team leader, and coaches rave about his ability to pick things up quick, which we all know will be necessary if he is going to see the field his rookie year in our defense. He is being compared to Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Brian Dawkins.

I think I've stopped waffling.

[UK Skins Fan]

I think I've stopped waffling.

Sure?

I want the Redskins to pick up a defensive end. But I too have seen the doubts about the ends available at the top of the draft. I think there are less doubts about the tackles, and I'd personally be happy with either Okoye or Branch (as of right now).

[everydayAskinsday]

theres no way I would be happy with taking Branch in the 6 spot..only way i would be satisfied with him is if we traded down and picked him up around the 15th spot .. I still say we take Landry though

[funbuncher]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskins ... rkout.html

JLC confirming the heavy Redskins presence at LSU pro day, including Greg Williams. Apparently he had a "killer" workout.

I wonder if GW has any less clout in personnel decisions after the AA debacle?

[PulpExposure]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/04/landry_workout.html

JLC confirming the heavy Redskins presence at LSU pro day, including Greg Williams. Apparently he had a "killer" workout.

I wonder if GW has any less clout in personnel decisions after the AA debacle?

Hey guys, there's this safety I....(Door slams in face).

[SkinsFreak]

I think there are less doubts about the tackles, and I'd personally be happy with either Okoye or Branch (as of right now).

Agreed UK. I personally like Okoye a little better, as I explained in the Okoye thread, but not if we have to stay at #6.

I have a few questions however...

I always hear around here that we need to develop the young players we already have and stop wasting picks and cap money on positions we already have or don't necessarily need. "DEVELOP OUR OWN" I always hear or read.

So... with that in mind...

I'm still confident in Griffin. He had a lousy year, due to injury, but he wasn't the only one. He is only 30 years old and I think he has a few good years left in him.

We drafted two DT's last year, Golston and Montgomery. Are we not going to develop these guys? Is there really room for another DT on the roster? Would we not upset the chemistry of the locker room, as I hear some of you talk about all the time, by drafting a 1st round DT when we already got these two DT's last year? How would Griffin, Golston and Montgomery feel about that?

I'm not saying Montgomery is going to be a superstar. On the other hand, Golston is looking good. But wouldn't that be a slap in the face to these guys to get another one? Wouldn't that be saying... "sorry guys, we have no faith in you and we don't want to waste our time to develop your skills"? And if Montgomery fails to work out, wouldn't that just be a waste of another draft pick... again?

And further, I don't hear any of the experts saying that we need another DT. A pass rusher, yes, but not a DT. Yes, there are some mocks that have us taking a DT, but they are not experts in my book. Would we need to upgrade that position next year? Probably. But I still feel pretty good about the potential of Griffin and Golston, with Salave'a and Montgomery backing them up, at least for this year.

Just a thought...

[SkinsJock]

Considering that Williams future will depend a lot on his success with the defense this year and given the high regard that Gibbs has for this guy - IMO, Williams will have the key input on who he wants

IF we cannot get the "deal" we need for the 6 pick, Williams will decide who he wants and Gibbs will take that pick!

[Redskin in Canada]

I voted "Other". I also like Laron Landry.

There! I am out of the closet.

[PulpExposure]

And further, I don't hear any of the experts saying that we need another DT. A pass rusher, yes, but not a DT.

Ah, there you go again with "any of the experts". You need to stop being so damn absolute

Scouts.com has DT as an area of need, albiet behind DE.

The biggest hole on this team right now is at the DE position. Clemson's Gaines Adams is a strong possibility, if the Redskins are still in the sixth spot and he is on the board. Washington set a franchise-record low with only 19 sacks last season and needs a big-time pass rusher to take some pressure off the secondary.

The defensive tackle position needs to be upgraded.

And I like Griffin a lot, but he's had serious injury concerns lately. If he stayed healthy, I completely agree we'd be fine. But I think he's gotten to the point where he's getting nagging injuries that don't really heal, reinjuring them, and so we can't count on him so much.

[SkinsFreak]

And further, I don't hear any of the experts saying that we need another DT. A pass rusher, yes, but not a DT.

Ah, there you go again with "any of the experts". You need to stop being so damn absolute

Scouts.com has DT as an area of need, albiet behind DE.

The biggest hole on this team right now is at the DE position. Clemson's Gaines Adams is a strong possibility, if the Redskins are still in the sixth spot and he is on the board. Washington set a franchise-record low with only 19 sacks last season and needs a big-time pass rusher to take some pressure off the secondary.

The defensive tackle position needs to be upgraded.

And I like Griffin a lot, but he's had serious injury concerns lately. If he stayed healthy, I completely agree we'd be fine. But I think he's gotten to the point where he's getting nagging injuries that don't really heal, reinjuring them, and so we can't count on him so much.

I'm sorry, perhaps I should have articulated that in a different way. Sure, I've read many times that the DT position is an area of need. My point was, no one is really projecting us to take a DT at #6. Every team has "areas of need".

Let's take a look at the current roster:

Starters: Griffin and Golston

Back-ups: Salave'a, Montgomery, Jarad Clauss, Lorenzo Alaxander, Vaka Manupuna, and oh by the way, they just re-signed Ryan Boschetti.

That's a total of 8 DT's. Ok, we know Clauss, Alaxander and Manupuna probably won't make it.

So we are down to 5 DT's. If we draft one at #6, now we are at 6 DT's.

There's very little chance a 53-man roster can support 6 DT's. You don't need 4 back-ups for 2 positions. I'm not saying it absolutely can't happen, but I seriously doubt it.

And what ever happened to the notion of developing our own, as I hear around here all the time?

Now, I'm not saying they won't take a DT in this year's draft, but in my opinion, DE and safety are a bigger concern.

[PulpExposure]

[Now, I'm not saying they won't take a DT in this year's draft, but in my opinion, DE and safety are a bigger concern.

Yeah, I hear you. I just also know that with Ryan Clark as our other starting safety, we were 3rd and 9th overall in defense. As long as we get someone reasonably competant with Taylor, and I think Stoutmire or Prioleau are competant, I think safety is less of a concern.

I really like Golston. I don't know what to make of Montgomery, because he hasn't played much. Salavea played pretty bad last year (but he was dinged up), and Boschetti....let's face it, he's a body, nothing more.

Our DTs were getting pushed all over the field last year, and generated no pass rush (Griffin led our DTs with 1 whole sack. The other DTs generated, combined 1 whole other sack. I know you often don't get huge sack stats from DTs but...2 sacks from the DT position is awful). I think DE is the first priority, but DT is a strong second priority.

19 sacks and 4.5 yards per carry given up is just abysmal. And a lot of that was right up the gut (and the rest was off the weak side, over Carter and Holdman, yeah).

Edited to add: Btw appreciate the dialogue. It's been friendly (though contentious), it is nice to read another fan's considered and well stated viewpoint.

[HEROHAMO]

None of the above.

If we had to draft at no.6. I would have to go with Laron Landry.

All these players are excellent prospects. I just do not feel they are worthy of a no. 6 pick.

I would simply have to go with best player available if it came down to us picking at 6.

I could be wrong though. I am hoping Gaines Adams may become the next Demarcus Ware. I hate to say it but Demarcus is a beast and if Gaines can become a player like him then I am all for it.

[SeanTaylorJr.]

We should either
- Trade Down
- Take Laron Landry
- Take Gaines Adams
- Take Amobi Okoye
Any of these happenning would bring a smsile to my face

[SkinsFreak]

Edited to add: Btw appreciate the dialogue. It's been friendly (though contentious), it is nice to read another fan's considered and well stated viewpoint.

Oh, agreed and thanks, right back at ya!

Whether it's in my personal life or in my professional life, I always take the round table approach to everything. I always want to examine every possible angle before reaching a final conclusion. I feel discussions like this does nothing more but broaden my sense of awareness. I may not always agree with it, but at least I know I've covered the bases by listening to all opinions, perspectives, and points of view on the matter.

Because nobody knows everything about everything. Well... except for a few like ATV, RiC and CLL!

HA! Just kidding of course.

Anyway, you know what I mean, I also enjoy reading other points of view, because someone will always be able to relate something we failed to recognize ourselves. I always learn something in the process. That's what it's all about. And that's why I enjoy coming here and kickin' it around with you guys.

Ok, enough of that crap, we should still take a hard look at LaRon Landry at #6. The dude is an absolute stud, you know?

[PulpExposure]

Ok, enough of that crap, we should still take a hard look at LaRon Landry at #6. The dude is an absolute stud, you know?

You know, I was holding to the idea that a safety really can't help our awful run defense, but then I thought about the effect Bob Sanders had on the Colts defense last year.

In the second half, without Bob Sanders, they were the 2006 Washington Redskins in run defense.

With Bob Sanders, though, they really could stop the run. And you saw this especially in the playoffs.

Maybe he can make that needed difference...oh hell.

I still want Okoye

[StatKid]

i really do like landry but don't we already have 3 strong safeties?

[funbuncher]

Here is another "hypothetical scenario" where we DO manage to trade down...

I was reading a chat on ESPN about the draft with Pro Football Weekly, and they had this to say about us and the #6.

Redskin Fan: What do you think the Skins will do with the #6 pick?
Nolan Nawrocki (PFW): They are trying to trade down. It's an expensive position to be in, however, and finding a buyer is a lot more difficult than it might appear, and I don't see anyone being willing to move up right now. Don't rule out the Broncos.

Now for those of you that don't like wasting your time, skip the rest of this, and for those of you draft geeks that enjoy projecting who we could get with picks that, in reality, we will likely never see anyway, read on...

Here is what it would take for the Broncos to trade up with us (using only draft picks as compensation).

We pick: 6th = 1600 points

They pick:

1st (21st) = 800
2nd (56th) = 340
3rd (70th) = 240
3rd (86th) = 160

That totals 1540 points so far.

They have no 4th rounder this year which would be needed to equal out the last 60 points to reach 1600, so they would have to give 2008's 3rd instead of this years 4th, all this according to NFL trade value chart. (luckily, a pre-determined chart would determine our #6 pick's value, instead of Denver telling our FO what it is worth!)

Anyway, that's equals out to a 1st, 2nd, and three 3rds (one of those next year). I really doubt Denver would do this, especially considering what they have already spent on free agency. But for the sake of argument I believe their needs are DE, DT, LB, WR, and possibly a safety since Lynch should be retiring in a year or so. So maybe they'd want Gaines, Okoye, Patrick Willis, or LaRon Landry. They are as aggressive as we are and will unexpectadly move up for their guy if he's there as illustrated last year by them jumping up to grab Jay Cutler at 11 after not even interviewing him before the draft in an effort to keep others from knowing their intentions.

If by some miracle this occurs, who would you guys try to get with a 1st, 2nd, and two 3rds this year? Would you use them all or package some to move back up from 21 to the mid-teens?

Here are Scouts Inc's top 100.

All Ranked Players
NAME POS HT WT SCHOOL GRADE DRAFTED BY PK(OVR) OVR RANK

Calvin Johnson WR 6'5" 239 GEORGIA TECH 99 1 Expert's Take
JaMarcus Russell QB 6'5" 256 LSU 98 2 Expert's Take
Adrian Peterson RB 6'1" 217 OKLAHOMA 98 3 Expert's Take
Joe Thomas OT 6'6" 311 WISCONSIN 98 4 Expert's Take
Laron Landry S 6'0" 213 LSU 97 5 Expert's Take
Gaines Adams DE 6'4" 258 CLEMSON 97 6 Expert's Take
Brady Quinn QB 6'3" 232 NOTRE DAME 97 7 Expert's Take
Leon Hall CB 5'11" 193 MICHIGAN 96 8 Expert's Take
Levi Brown OT 6'5" 323 PENN STATE 96 9 Expert's Take
Amobi Okoye DT 6'2" 302 LOUISVILLE 96 10 Expert's Take
Patrick Willis ILB 6'1" 242 MISSISSIPPI 95 11 Expert's Take
Darrelle Revis CB 5'11" 204 PITTSBURGH 95 12 Expert's Take
Alan Branch DT 6'5" 324 MICHIGAN 95 13 Expert's Take
Jamaal Anderson DE 6'5" 288 ARKANSAS 95 14 Expert's Take
Greg Olsen TE 6'5" 254 MIAMI (FLA.) 95 15 Expert's Take
Dwayne Bowe WR 6'2" 221 LSU 95 16 Expert's Take
Adam Carriker DE 6'6" 296 NEBRASKA 94 17 Expert's Take
Ted Ginn Jr. WR 5'11" 178 OHIO STATE 94 18 Expert's Take
Marshawn Lynch RB 5'11" 215 CALIFORNIA 94 19 Expert's Take
Jarvis Moss DE 6'6" 250 FLORIDA 93 20 Expert's Take
Joe Staley OT 6'5" 306 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 93 21 Expert's Take
Aaron Ross CB 6'0" 193 TEXAS 93 22 Expert's Take
Lawrence Timmons OLB 6'0" 234 FLORIDA STATE 93 23 Expert's Take
Paul Posluszny OLB 6'1" 238 PENN STATE 92 24 Expert's Take
Reggie Nelson S 5'11" 198 FLORIDA 92 25 Expert's Take
Ryan Kalil OC 6'2" 299 USC 92 26 Expert's Take
Robert Meachem WR 6'2" 214 TENNESSEE 92 27 Expert's Take
Michael Griffin S 5'11" 202 TEXAS 91 28 Expert's Take
Justin Harrell DT 6'4" 300 TENNESSEE 91 29 Expert's Take
Ben Grubbs OG 6'2" 311 AUBURN 90 30 Expert's Take
Chris Houston CB 5'9" 185 ARKANSAS 90 31 Expert's Take
Dwayne Jarrett WR 6'4" 219 USC 90 32 Expert's Take


John Beason OLB 6'0" 237 MIAMI (FLA.) 89 33 Expert's Take
Justin Blalock OG 6'3" 320 TEXAS 89 34 Expert's Take
Eric Wright CB 5'10" 192 NEVADA LAS VEGAS 89 35 Expert's Take
Anthony Spencer DE 6'2" 261 PURDUE 89 36 Expert's Take
Anthony Gonzalez WR 6'0" 193 OHIO STATE 89 37 Expert's Take
Brandon Meriweather S 5'10" 195 MIAMI (FLA.) 88 38 Expert's Take
Steve Smith WR 5'11" 197 USC 88 39 Expert's Take
Ray McDonald DE 6'3" 276 FLORIDA 87 40 Expert's Take
Marcus McCauley CB 6'0" 203 FRESNO STATE 87 41 Expert's Take
Arron Sears OG 6'3" 319 TENNESSEE 86 42 Expert's Take
Drew Stanton QB 6'3" 226 MICHIGAN STATE 86 43 Expert's Take
Sidney Rice WR 6'3" 200 SOUTH CAROLINA 86 44 Expert's Take
Zach Miller TE 6'4" 256 ARIZONA STATE 86 45 Expert's Take
Trent Edwards QB 6'4" 231 STANFORD 85 46 Expert's Take
LaMarr Woodley DE 6'1" 266 MICHIGAN 85 47 Expert's Take
Kenny Irons RB 5'10" 203 AUBURN 85 48 Expert's Take
Tim Crowder DE 6'3" 272 TEXAS 84 49 Expert's Take
Brian Leonard FB 6'1" 226 RUTGERS 84 50 Expert's Take
Josh Wilson CB 5'9" 189 MARYLAND 84 51 Expert's Take
Charles Johnson DE 6'2" 270 GEORGIA 83 52 Expert's Take
Craig Davis WR 6'1" 207 LSU 83 53 Expert's Take
David Harris ILB 6'2" 243 MICHIGAN 83 54 Expert's Take
Stewart Bradley OLB 6'3" 254 NEBRASKA 83 55 Expert's Take
Tanard Jackson CB 6'0" 200 SYRACUSE 82 56 Expert's Take
Antonio Pittman RB 5'10" 207 OHIO STATE 82 57 Expert's Take
Turk McBride DT 6'2" 277 TENNESSEE 82 58 Expert's Take
Tony Ugoh OT 6'5" 301 ARKANSAS 82 59 Expert's Take
Eric Weddle S 5'11" 203 UTAH 81 60 Expert's Take
Quentin Moses DE 6'5" 261 GEORGIA 80 61 Expert's Take
Tank Tyler DT 6'2" 306 NORTH CAROLINA ST 80 62 Expert's Take
Lorenzo Booker RB 5'10" 191 FLORIDA STATE 79 63 Expert's Take
Jonathan Wade CB 5'10" 195 TENNESSEE 79 64 Expert's Take


James Marten OT 6'7" 309 BOSTON COLLEGE 79 65 Expert's Take
Justin Durant OLB 6'0" 230 HAMPTON 79 66 Expert's Take
Jason Hill WR 6'0" 204 WASHINGTON STATE 79 67 Expert's Take
Victor Abiamiri DE 6'4" 267 NOTRE DAME 79 68 Expert's Take
Marshal Yanda OG 6'3" 307 IOWA 78 69 Expert's Take
Ikaika Alma-Francis DE 6'5" 280 HAWAII 77 70 Expert's Take
Aundrae Allison WR 6'0" 198 EAST CAROLINA 77 71 Expert's Take
Brandon Jackson RB 5'9" 210 NEBRASKA 77 72 Expert's Take
Daymeion Hughes CB 5'10" 190 CALIFORNIA 77 73 Expert's Take
Samson Satele OC 6'2" 300 HAWAII 77 74 Expert's Take
Ben Patrick TE 6'3" 252 DELAWARE 77 75 Expert's Take
John Beck QB 6'2" 215 BYU 76 76 Expert's Take
Brandon Siler ILB 6'1" 241 FLORIDA 76 77 Expert's Take
Doug Free OT 6'6" 324 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 76 78 Expert's Take
Stephen Nicholas OLB 6'1" 232 SOUTH FLORIDA 76 79 Expert's Take
Brandon Mebane DT 6'1" 309 CALIFORNIA 76 80 Expert's Take
Fred Bennett CB 6'0" 196 SOUTH CAROLINA 76 81 Expert's Take
Josh Beekman OG 6'1" 313 BOSTON COLLEGE 75 82 Expert's Take
Quinn Pitcock DT 6'2" 299 OHIO STATE 75 83 Expert's Take
Chris Henry RB 5'11" 230 ARIZONA 75 84 Expert's Take
Tim Shaw OLB 6'1" 236 PENN STATE 75 85 Expert's Take
Jacoby Jones WR 6'2" 210 LANE 74 86 Expert's Take
Michael Bush RB 6'1" 243 LOUISVILLE 74 87 Expert's Take
Kenny Scott CB 6'0" 179 GEORGIA TECH 74 88 Expert's Take
Scott Chandler TE 6'7" 270 IOWA 74 89 Expert's Take
Ryan McBean DT 6'4" 286 OKLAHOMA STATE 74 90 Expert's Take
Martrez Milner TE 6'3" 252 GEORGIA 73 91 Expert's Take
Ryan Harris OT 6'4" 305 NOTRE DAME 73 92 Expert's Take
Tarell Brown CB 5'10" 190 TEXAS 73 93 Expert's Take
Mason Crosby PK 6'1" 212 COLORADO 72 94 Expert's Take
Buster Davis ILB 5'9" 239 FLORIDA STATE 72 95 Expert's Take
Josh Gattis S 6'1" 206 WAKE FOREST 72 96 Expert's Take


Quincy Black OLB 6'1" 240 NEW MEXICO 72 97 Expert's Take
Brian Robison DE 6'3" 259 TEXAS 72 98 Expert's Take
Kevin Kolb QB 6'3" 218 HOUSTON 71 99 Expert's Take
Paul Soliai DT 6'4" 344 UTAH 71 100 Expert's Take

[UK Skins Fan]

Let's take a look at the current roster:

Starters: Griffin and Golston

Back-ups: Salave'a, Montgomery, Jarad Clauss, Lorenzo Alaxander, Vaka Manupuna, and oh by the way, they just re-signed Ryan Boschetti.

That's a total of 8 DT's. Ok, we know Clauss, Alaxander and Manupuna probably won't make it.

So we are down to 5 DT's. If we draft one at #6, now we are at 6 DT's.

There's very little chance a 53-man roster can support 6 DT's. You don't need 4 back-ups for 2 positions. I'm not saying it absolutely can't happen, but I seriously doubt it.

And what ever happened to the notion of developing our own, as I hear around here all the time?

Now, I'm not saying they won't take a DT in this year's draft, but in my opinion, DE and safety are a bigger concern.

No arguments about Golston - here is a guy who has shown promise, already see some playing time, and should be nurtured. We don't know about Montgomery yet, but he should be given every opportunity to stick around. Griffin and Salave'a are the concerns, from the health point of view. Put simply, I don't think that we can rely on either of these guys to give us even 10 games at full fitness. We know what they can do when they're fit, but hoping for uninterrupted seasons from them both is wishful thinking. For that reason, I can justify picking Branch or Okoye, if either one is worthy of the pick at #6. Even with a rookie in the mix, Golston would get plenty of playing time, and Montgomery could be kept on the roster, probably at the expense of Salave'a.

I'm increasingly of the opinion that none of the ends justify a pick that high. So, for me, it does come down to Okoye, Branch, or Landry.

But I still don't see strong safety as the great need. When the Redskins have been strong, the defensive line was where it started. We've won Superbowls without stellar safeties, but we had defensive lines that 1) stuffed the run, and 2) put the QB on his backside.

I still think using another first round pick on the secondary is building things back to front.

[SkinsFreak]

I still think using another first round pick on the secondary is building things back to front.

And there is some truth to that, so I respect your viewpoint.

Also, don't forget that rotation at the DT position is very prevalent across the league, and is also something prevalent in Williams' philosophy. Teams want fresh legs at that position all the time now.

Today on NFL Live they discussed some interesting points with Floyd Reese, Mel Kiper, Eric Allen and Mark Schlereth (sp?).

The topic was, "draft busts" and how do you spot them.

Since some of my prior posts were lengthy, I'll get right to the point.

2007 potential busts:
Gaines Adams
Alan Branch
Chris Houston

Talked about how Gaines and Branch "take plays off" and don't play with head, heart and soul; extremely important intangibles that can't be measured at the combine.

Floyd Reese, a former GM, spoke directly about things to "look out for" that could make for a bust. He said lack of experience and "starts" were a major consideration by FO's around the league. Players with few starts don't do well at the next level.

As I've mentioned before, Okoye is a bright young kid with a potentially bright future. But he was only a one year starter, therefore, heightened risk involved in drafting him.

Last night on NFL Total Access, they covered the Ravens "state of the franchise". We hear about how the Ravens FO always manages things so well. They went on to say that Ozzie Newsome NEVER drafts for need in the first round. An example was when they drafted TE Todd Heap in the 1st round when they already had Shannon Sharp; it wasn't a position of need that year.

I agree that we need help on the d-line. I'm just really concerned about some of these guys at the top of the first round. We can't afford a bust. That's all I'm thinking.

[PulpExposure]

, they covered the Ravens "state of the franchise". We hear about how the Ravens FO always manages things so well. They went on to say that Ozzie Newsome NEVER drafts for need in the first round. An example was when they drafted TE Todd Heap in the 1st round when they already had Shannon Sharp; it wasn't a position of need that year.

I've pimped this book multiple times before, but as a football fan you really owe it to yourself to read John Feinstein's Next Man Up, his year behind the scenes with the Ravens, from pre-draft to the end of the season. As a WashPo writer, he can't help but compare how the Ravens do things to how the Redskins do things, and as a Skins fan, it ashames me that we have such a bush league franchise.

I despise the Ravens, but their organization is run so well. It's sickening.

In any case, I really liked the section on their free agency and draft preparations.

I agree that we need help on the d-line. I'm just really concerned about some of these guys at the top of the first round. We can't afford a bust. That's all I'm thinking.

Yeah which is why I don't want Branch at all. I like Okoye, because even though he's raw, he's very smart, and a very, very hard worker. You really can't teach work ethic. I can't see how he won't turn out well. I mean, I'm not saying I don't think Branch can't be a great lineman, but the whole "He's a dog" thing I really can't be with.

Gaines Adams is another matter though...it's been so long since we've had a serious passrushing DE (Dexter Manley, really..wow) that taking the chance is worth it. Great defenses have fantastic passrushers...they're just rare as hell to get ahold of. And one passrusher will make everyone else's job that much easier.

Jamaal Anderson supposedly has a pretty good work ethic also. And I like his combination of quickness and size. He could turn out to be a hell of a strong-side DE, playing the run and rushing the passer.

If it was my pick, I'd look at Okoye, Anderson, Landry in that order. But it's not my call. I'll just be happy to get another talented player for our defense.

[SkinsFreak]

If it was my pick, I'd look at Okoye, Anderson, Landry in that order. But it's not my call. I'll just be happy to get another talented player for our defense.

I like Okoye too. I'm just concerned about his maturity from a physical standpoint. I've read that one of the reasons people like him is because he is only 19 years old.

Well... big props for graduating high school and college early. But from a physical standpoint, it will be years before he is fully matured. He may not be a standout in this league until he is in his mid 20's. Do we want to wait 5 or 6 years for him to develop? It's just a very hard thing to precict with a one year starter who is only 19. Again, in his first 3 years of college, he only had 11 starts and 2.5 sacks. That's not that impressive.

And one passrusher will make everyone else's job that much easier.

That's not a foregone conclusion and I'm not sure I agree 100% with that. Yeah, a stud pass rusher is great, but there are many teams around the league that have better than average pass rushers and the defense as a whole still sucks.

Jamaal Anderson supposedly has a pretty good work ethic also.

I wonder why he is falling on draft boards then?

But........ if we were going to go d-line at #6, I'd be happy with Okoye and would hope he could develop quickly.

* Kiper is also high on Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, another player on the Redskins' radar screen.
"You see a lot of the same qualities in Okoye that you do in Calvin Johnson -- tremendously mature and productive week in and week out," he said. "Athletically and strength-wise, he's what you want."

From the same article:

* He said this year's first round talent isn't as good as last year's star-studded first round.
"There's not much difference between the guy that goes 45 and the guy that goes 25," he said. "There are going to be some guys that go in the first round that aren't necessarily worthy."

On Landry:

* He is high on LSU safety LaRon Landry -- Kiper's mock draft has the Redskins taking Landry.
"He should be a Pro Bowl caliber player," he said. "He'll be better than Roy Williams, no question."

http://washingtontimes.com/blogs/storyv ... csID=skins