I know...the Skins are still in the playoff hunt and should make the playoffs with the remaining schedule. But can they get deep? I seriously doubt it!
But before Danny boy gets antsy, relapses into a teenage girl with a credit card, and trades away draft picks for hip replacement candidates like Zach Thomas and Derrick Brooks, I wanted to take a look at next year’s draft prospects.
Hopefully we can see some of these good young players learning from the quality established veterans we have such as London Fletcher, Clinton, Samuels, Thomas, etc., etc....
I just don't see superheroes coming out of the draft in positions we need superheroes. First, what do the Skins need? Pass rush and pass protection! So start with that! Casey Rabach is the weakest link...goodbye!
Trade away the first round pick to one of the teams with two seconds or a late round first and a second:
First/Second Round
1. Alex Mack, C, Cal, or
2. Max Unger, C, Oregon or
3. Jonathon Luigs, C, Arkansas, or
4. Eric Wood, C, Louisville
—Good stock at center who could justifiably go in first round or early second. Any of these guys could be available in middle to late second round.
- B/R Ticket Guide
1. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU, or
2. Michael Johnson, DE, GT, or
3. Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Wisconsin
—I think Shaughnessy will be the best out of this bunch...to maybe include Orakpo from Texas (who'll be gone early).
From that point on, go get some of these guys by position in this order:
1. Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, S. Florida, or
2. Jonathon Casillas, OLB, Wisconsin, or
3. Zach Follett, OLB, Cal
—McKenzie is a tackling machine, Casillas is fast and explosive, and Follett is an all-around complete package.
4. Ian Johnson, RB, Boise St.
—A tough, fiery runner who has won big games
5. Brad Lester, RB, LSU
—Good blocker, and good receiver out of the backfield + tough downhill runner (plays bigger than small size, a la Portis).
6. Demonte Boldin, DT, TN, or
7. Rashaad Jackson, DT, Clemson
—Both can stuff the middle, and both can get at the QB from the middle.
8. Louis Vasquez, G, Texas Tech
9. Travis Bright, G, BYU
10. Dallas Reynolds, G, BYU
—Why these guys? Look at the systems they ran in college...remove the learning curve for low round draft picks and watch them contribute.
I understand the Redskins' draft concept of getting the best player available, but they are a pass first offense now. Protect it! I love Buges...but his time has passed, and they need to update the blocking schemes.
What is keeping this team with a top five defense, a top five running game, and decent special teams, from being elite? No big plays. What's preventing big plays? Not throwing the ball downfield. Why can't they get the ball downfield? Campbell can't make a five-step drop without someone in his hip pocket!
Rhinehart and Heyer can be built around to protect him for years. Continue nourishing him in this system, spell Clinton MORE OFTEN with a quality back who can block and not fumble, and the Skins will win Super Bowls for the next 10 years.
The Skins have all the fire, skill, and leadership on the field they need to build a Super Bowl dynasty...yes...dynasty...so address the needs with youth and talent...where it’s needed!
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about 1 month ago
I love your enthusiasm Sean and I largely agree with your assessment of the Skins' needs. With only four picks as of now, I also agree they should try to snag some extra picks in the second and/or third rounds to load up on potential linemen on both sides of the ball. A "game breaker" to spell Portis would be a good choice too, but only if there isn't a highly rated linemen or linebacker available at the same spot.
Good stuff Sean!
about 1 month ago
Thanks bro...as you said...hit the essentials first! OL, DL, LB, RB in that order! However, they will have to either resign Shawn S. or Hall to maintain the defensive packages we are successful with now!
about 1 month ago
you also have to look at a potential future fb mike can't stay forever
from about 1 month ago
Mike is getting older, but FB is a position a rookie or free agent can step into and contribute if his skill set fits.
I would be happy to see them breaking Mike out of the backfield into the flats more.
about 1 month ago
id rather see him run it on 3rd and short and or 2nd and short/goal line
13 days ago
I agree with most of your assessment. Jackson (the DT out of Clemson) will probably turn out to be a big time steal in this draft. However, I don't agree with the pickup of Ian Johnson. They need a Roger Craig-type of back more (easier said than done). Someone with good speed and better hands out of the backfield to really make this WCO go. Casillas would be good anywhere in the 3rd-5th rds as would Phillips out of TCU or Freeman (if he falls that far). Just need a LB w/ sideline to sideline speed. Agree with Unger, or Mack in the 2nd or 3rd-also add Levitre from Oregon State to that list. Forget about game-changing DL in this years draft. If they want one they're gonna have to buy one ala Haynesworth or Suggs in FA. By the way, great photo of Unger, looks like Grimm. Hope he plays like him if the Skins get him.
from 12 days ago
He play with a mean streak like Russ too! Ian has pretty good hands but anyone with power and or speed who can hit holes quick and carry a load if CP is down...and spell him 10+ carries per game.
It would be nice if we could find a FB/HB type to grab some carries and learn from Sellers for 2 or so years until Mike is gone.
See my article: "gone fishin"...I talked about going to get Suggs, Peppers, or Haynesworth. Blache's defense would be better served with a pass rushing DE than a powerful DT...but I would take him in a heartbeat.
Thanks man.
12 days ago
Suggs might be best because of his versatility(DE or OLB). Good luck finding a replacement for Sellers. That guy has got to be the most under-utilized and under-rated Pro-Bowler in history. Great guy too!! He could be a coach some day.
from 12 days ago
Great guy....went deer hunting to avoid the snub phone call this year...then he gets the invite! Well deserved! and way past due!
Peppers would be the best pick up in my opinion...he reeks havoc everywhere on the field. Our first interest (after re-signing D. Hall) has to be the O-line and Matt Birk and Mike Guff...those guys would fortify and allow us to use the draft on depth on the D-line, LB, and RB. And young vets on the O-line would avoid a learning curve. If we could get Peppers or Suggs with either Birk or Guff we've made money...one for each line and then get young through the draft with other two.
Get Peppers and Birk, then draft C/G and Johnson or Jackson on the D-line...that's what I would try. We open a lot of cap space when Springs leaves, and they rework Jansen's contract (hate to see him go).
6 days ago
As a Boise State guy, I would be ALL FOR seeing Ian Johnson in a Skins jersey. He's one tough cookie who played through injury after injury at BSU, including a game where he ran for 100 yards and a score with A COLLAPSED LUNG!
I'm all for most of your picks there. They need some serious line depth and you're right about Campbell not having the time to make all the big plays.
I'm especially big on the IJ pick though. I think he can turn into a diet Matt Forte type guy on the right team. He didn't really catch a lot of balls his first few years but saw that he could make himself more valuable if he learned, and he did. He was a legitimate threat in the passing game this year. He's lightening fast (all-state track star in HS) and has the patience of Job while he waits for holes to develop. He could be a great back to spell Portis and he would be a great addition on special teams, returning and on coverage.
from 6 days ago
Just shows we both watch too much Thursday night football on ESPN...love the blue field as a marketing ploy...works like a champ! I love that kid...great heart..great motor...big upsize due to great football mind. Picks up blocks well and falls forward every down.
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