OL
Andre Smith's talent and size would be perfect for the Skins if he didn't already look like a major bust waiting to happen. His combine workout was horrible and then he compounded it by quitting and going home.
His Pro Day workot was supposed to erase those doubts but they didn't. He only benched 19 reps! Not good for a 330+ lbs. guy who gets paid to manhandle defensive lineman. I've said it before, Smith will slide way down the board into the 20's and beyond (unless the Skins are gullible enough to throw him a life preserver at 13) Oher is considered talented but inconsistent. He also seems to be a more natural pass protecter, with gifted footwork and may project better as a LT than RT. Britton would be a reach at 13. Although JC might like having an Auburn player protecting him, Britton lacks the run blocking skills and tenacity you look for in a RT. Of those three prospects, Oher seems the best bet. But he hardly seems the player you pencil in at a starting spot on day one. Which is what you should expect to find with the 13th pick in an NFL draft.
So what are the options? Well, our biggest needs besides OT are DE and OLB. You hate to draft for need only in the 1st round, but with only 5 picks and the #13 being our only pick in the top 75, you have to address one of the holes in the starting 22 with that pick.
DE is needed on the left side. We have Carter on the right side. He is a solid player, but isn't outstanding against the run and while he can put pressure on the QB, he doesn't always finish the rush with a sack. So in a 4-3, the LDE who lines up with Carter, Griff and Haynesworth will likely need to be a solid all around DE. Not too small of an edge rusher, otherwise teams will just double Albert and attack the edges all day. You could get away with a big run stopping DE, like a younger version of Daniels, but then you're not creating much a pass rush. Maybe that would be an acceptable trade-off, less dominating pass rush, but a front four that could seriously stuff the run. But a little pass rushing skill on the left side would be nice for a change.
DE
Orakpo is just not going to be there at 13. At the most, he'll last to 12, but even if he is passed up by Browns, Packers and 49ers, Denver will surley snag him. Too bad, he would be an impact player.
Pretty sure Maybin will be gone by 13. Irregardless, he's more a 3-4 OLB hybrid (Jason Taylor) and not well-suited for Washington.
Tyson Jackson looks like he could be a younger version of Phillip Daniels. This is a compliment, IMO. Unlike Daniels however, Jackson is healthy and durable. He doesn't flash much speed and edge rushing skills, but he is strong against the run, can stand up his lineman and plow him into the backfield.
Everette Brown is almost the opposite of Jackson. He is on the small side, is quick twitch speed rusher with even more upside to his pass rush. But his size, strength and run-stopping ability are all questionable. Probably would project better to the right side. Still, if the Skins staff think he's special, with lots of upside, he might be worth the risk. Carter won't be here forever, so maybe the fact that he wouldn't be a typical LDE shouldn't be too much of a worry.
Michael Johnson has it all, size, speed, pass rush ability, would be suited to LDE, BUT, he hasn't really done much on the field??? This is your typical project. He looks like he could have serious NFL DE skills. Drafting this guy would have to be a Blach call. If Blache thought he could be coached up, this guy could be a serious wild card in the draft. Otherwise, forget it, he's more likely to go late 1st round-2nd round.
Robert Ayers is a one year wonder. No one heard of him before 2008. He improved and turned in a nice senior season. Decent size and strength but not overly athletically gifted. Still, he has some skills and possible upside which might make him worthy of a look.
With Marcus Washington gone, we have Blades penciled in at OLB. Blades is a solid player, but better suited as a Fletcher backup. While OLB isn't our biggest need, it is a need and it also is where we have the best options to get a player truly worthy of a 13th pick.
OLB
Cushing is rated the highest OLB most places, after Curry. He has all the basic skills you need in an OLB. Durability might be an issue however. Defintely worthy of the 13 slot, but only if the medical staff believes he won't continue to miss games. He did play a full 2008 season however. 30 bench reps are impressive too. Natural as a SLB which is what we need. I think what excites me about Cushing is his intelligence and instincts. That's the kind of guy I like to see in Burgundy and Gold.
Clay Matthews was a walk on at USC. He bulked up and last year started to show the talent his father and grandfather had in the NFL. Durability, based on his bloodlines, should be excellent. He may not have the body of work that Cushing does, but he may have better pass rushing skills too.
If it were me, I would draft in this order:
Cushing
Matthews
Jackson
Oher
I think either Cushing or MAtthews would be exciting to add to the team. Even though we would still would have question marks at RT and DE, we will still have a chance to sign mid-level FA's and we have Daniels, Wynn at DE and Jansen/Heyer at RT. Jansen is reportedly in great shape and determined to regain his pro bowl form. Heyer is insurance. Cushing or MAtthews would give us a future Pro Bowl LB which is not something I feel I can say with much certainty about Oher, Jackson or any of the others mentioned above. So who do you like?
D'oh! Thanks, blame me... 
