Draft.... what do the "experts" know...??

[tribeofjudah]

So I just wanted to post a few predictions from "experts" about WHO the Skins will/might Draft this off season.

Let's see how accurate this is after May 10th. This is a crap-shoot.........and never a science...!!!

Round 2. If Washington is going to fill Fletcher's shoes in 2014, it needs to happen in the NFL draft. And without trying to sound like a broken record, Wisconsin’s Chris Borland is the guy.

Round 2. Washington : Kyle Van Noy , OLB , BYU
Round 2: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

Round 3. Washington : Ed Reynolds , FS , Stanford
Round 3: Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

Round 4: Craig Loston, S, LSU
Round 5: Michael Schofield, T, Michigan
Round 6: Bennett Jackson, CB, Notre Dame

[riggofan]

I'd guess with free agency winding down, the draft "experts" should be getting a little closer in their predictions.

ILB Chris Borland has been linked to the Skins since back in January at the Senior Bowl. CSN: "One of the players Allen and Co. watched closely and interviewed was Wisconsin’s Chris Borland, an inside linebacker talent evaluators have compared to Zach Thomas." Definitely a position of real need and a realistic possibility of drafting him. He may even be available in the 3d round.

I've seen a lot of mock drafts predicting Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois lately. I don't know if that is based on any inside information or just everybody saying, "The Redskins have a need at safety, and this is the best guy who might be available".

Anybody know when the team can start bringing guys in for individual workouts?

[Irn-Bru]

A month ago it looked like we would have to make a tough choice between addressing WR, S, or ILB. Now WR is set and I'd be shocked if we draft anything other than a late-round prospect. Safety is no longer a dire need, and with our youth needing more time to develop I could see the FO being patient and not taking one with our second-round pick.

That leaves ILB as our obvious need, perhaps with the possibility of drafting OL to push Chester for his job and/or provide more depth. Guards aren't usually drafted in the first round, so we should be able to pick up someone decent, if not the best available in the draft, with a high 2nd. OL or ILB, I don't think we can go wrong either way.

[riggofan]

That leaves ILB as our obvious need, perhaps with the possibility of drafting OL to push Chester for his job and/or provide more depth. Guards aren't usually drafted in the first round, so we should be able to pick up someone decent, if not the best available in the draft, with a high 2nd. OL or ILB, I don't think we can go wrong either way.

Yeah I agree completely with your reasoning. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see OL or ILB drafted at that spot, especially as there should be some legit players available where they're not reaching.

For whatever reason, they just don't seem to have the urgency about a safety that the fans and media do. I'm not sure if its because they're more confident about what they already have or because they're planning to get a safety in the draft. Maybe that will change after OTAs once they see where Rambo and Thomas stand.

[Kilmer72]

Question.... You figure a real ILB/leader is a 2nd round prospect? I would guess they can be found in any round but for majority sakes.... When are they usually found?

[riggofan]

Question.... You figure a real ILB/leader is a 2nd round prospect? I would guess they can be found in any round but for majority sakes.... When are they usually found?

Good question. Our two guys now Riley and Robinson are both fourth round picks. Zack Thomas from the Dolphins was a fifth rounder. Fletcher was a UFA, but he was kind of a freak. Here are some of the top ILBS from football nation:

Patrick Willis - first rounder
Navarro Bowman - third
Luke Kuechly - first
Daryl Smith - second
Brian Cushing - first
Paul Posluzny - second

What do would you make of that? Seems like the really elite, day one starters are usually first round picks though you could probably say that about most positions.

Kiper had both CJ Mosley and Borland going in the first round btw:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/mock/

So if one of those guys drops to #34, you can still figure there is some talent there.

[Countertrey]

From what I can see, the First round will run to about the middle of the Second round this year... it is super deep. There is actually a chance... not much, but some... that Borland falls to us.

[emoses14]

I quickly saw a head count of ILB and OLB's on Tandler's sight this morning. I think the current combined number is 9 (five ILB likely to make it (3 new signees, Riley and Keenan Robinson) and 4 OLB). So my question is, do they pick up another ILB in the draft at that first pick (Borland or someone else, I haven't researched to know if there would be anyone else worth taking there)?

[riggofan]

I quickly saw a head count of ILB and OLB's on Tandler's sight this morning. I think the current combined number is 9 (five ILB likely to make it (3 new signees, Riley and Keenan Robinson) and 4 OLB). So my question is, do they pick up another ILB in the draft at that first pick (Borland or someone else, I haven't researched to know if there would be anyone else worth taking there)?

That was a good article, and I had not thought much about the numbers. The deal was last year the team carried 5 outside and 4 inside LBs. This year so far they already have five likely to make the roster ILBs, but only four OLBs (Daryl Tapp has left). So I think what you're getting at is if you draft an ILB, either one of those current guys doesn't make the team or they have to carry ten LBs.

Keenan Robinson has been out forever. It will be interesting to see what happens with that guy.

Keenan Robinson ✔ @KeenanRobinson1

Feels great to be back in VA with the team. Looking forward to a great season #HTTR

[HEROHAMO]

From what I can see, the First round will run to about the middle of the Second round this year... it is super deep. There is actually a chance... not much, but some... that Borland falls to us.

I could see Borland falling to us. We do have a high second round pick.

[Mississippi Hog]

What about trading back 10 spots or so in the second and picking up another 3rd or 4th, or 2nd for next year? That is if we think we can still get some value in a mid-2nd round pick.

[SkinsJock]

the way things are - we're picking the BPA at a position of need at #34 - unless there's no decent player available and with this draft that is HIGHLY unlikely

[riggofan]

What about trading back 10 spots or so in the second and picking up another 3rd or 4th, or 2nd for next year? That is if we think we can still get some value in a mid-2nd round pick.

I've posted about this before, but there are some real possibilities for us to trade back in the second round. There are a couple teams (49ers, Browns for sure) with multiple second and third round picks who might be willing. Like some people have already noted, our #34 pick is pretty valuable.

If we can get good value - maybe picking up an extra second or third round pick like you've suggested - I think it would be an awesome move to trade down later in the second round.

[Countertrey]

What about trading back 10 spots or so in the second and picking up another 3rd or 4th, or 2nd for next year? That is if we think we can still get some value in a mid-2nd round pick.

I've posted about this before, but there are some real possibilities for us to trade back in the second round. There are a couple teams (49ers, Browns for sure) with multiple second and third round picks who might be willing. Like some people have already noted, our #34 pick is pretty valuable.

If we can get good value - maybe picking up an extra second or third round pick like you've suggested - I think it would be an awesome move to trade down later in the second round.

Of course, it depends entirely on who is on the board at 34... there is a reasonable chance that there will be some top 20 talent still there... OTOH... it that happens, it just makes that pick all the more valuable to a team that thinks it's one piece shy...

[riggofan]

Of course, it depends entirely on who is on the board at 34... there is a reasonable chance that there will be some top 20 talent still there... OTOH... it that happens, it just makes that pick all the more valuable to a team that thinks it's one piece shy...

::cough::cough::49ers::cough::cough

lol. No idea if they would actually make a move, but they fit with what you're saying. A team with a lot of draft picks who are in that elite/playoff mix already where it might make sense to move up and grab an exceptional player.

For the Redskins, needing to build some depth, it might be better to get two players at #56 and #61 than a single player at #34.

Who knows how it will play out, but as much as not having a first round pick sucks, that high second rounder has some value.

[riggofan]

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

He's visiting quite a few teams, but I think it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

[SkinsJock]

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

... it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

+1 - and a few other positions as well - OT; OG; C; TE; ILB; S; FS; CB .. to name a few ...

[riggofan]

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

... it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

+1 - and a few other positions as well - OT; OG; C; TE; ILB; S; FS; CB .. to name a few ...

BPA!

There was some discussion last week about whether or not the Skins might still look to add a WR in the draft after we signed DJAX. Its not a lock, but I don't think anybody should be surprised if they do. I'm sure we would still hear all of these howls of protest from fans, but there are a lot of legit reasons to consider it.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

:P

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

... it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

+1 - and a few other positions as well - OT; OG; C; TE; ILB; S; FS; CB .. to name a few ...

BPA!

There was some discussion last week about whether or not the Skins might still look to add a WR in the draft after we signed DJAX. Its not a lock, but I don't think anybody should be surprised if they do. I'm sure we would still hear all of these howls of protest from fans, but there are a lot of legit reasons to consider it.

Can't please em all!!!

Haha.. When we picked a TE last year (cousins is a good example for some) I remember thinkn Wtf is Mike smoking?!

Now Jordan is one of my favorite players! -and who knows Wtf sleepy is up to...

So Ya, I've come to terms w letting people do their job and see how it goes. There is no promises in the draft even at number one. Weighing the risk rewards vs the need/bpa is a tough task to tackle.

[riggofan]

Haha.. When we picked a TE last year (cousins is a good example for some) I remember thinkn Wtf is Mike smoking?!

Now Jordan is one of my favorite players! -and who knows Wtf sleepy is up to...

That is an EXCELLENT point. I remember having the same thought when we took a TE last year. And of course, there was Kirk Cousins...!

[SkinsJock]

I hope they can find a tall WR that they think will fit what they are planning to do here ...

BPA at positions of need and we have plenty of those ...

[Deadskins]

BPA at positions of need

You totally miss the point. BPA means disregarding positions of need.

[SkinsJock]

BPA at positions of need

You totally miss the point. BPA means disregarding positions of need.

not to me ...

but in our case the best player available is most likely a position of need

[tribeofjudah]

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

He's visiting quite a few teams, but I think it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

Jump Ball man.....

[riggofan]

I read today that the Redskins have a pre-draft visit lined up with Cody Latimer. WR from Indiana. 6'3" 215 lbs.

He's visiting quite a few teams, but I think it shows the team is still looking for that "big" receiver.

Jump Ball man.....

Feels like we've been chasing *that* player forever!