If The Redskins Had the First Overall Pick...

I don't know if Chris Long will do much as a DE in the 4-3 once the NFL shows up. I think you gotta go OL with that pick like everyone else. Maybe Dorsey. Offer out contracts -- see who accepts before the draft. We don't want a holdout.

The biggest thing we'd get with the #1 overall pick is cap trouble.

PS -- to those of you that think anyone would trade up for the #1 pick, you're nuts. No one wants this slot, including the people who earned it.

I don't know if Chris Long will do much as a DE in the 4-3 once the NFL shows up.

Based upon?

I'd take chris long then with the secong round I'd take trevor laws, dline solved!

Ive heard a lot saying he'll probably end up being a backer in a 4-3. I should rephrase, I dont know if he could make an instant impact for us, and Im not sure if he'll be a stud. DE is such a risky position.

Ive heard a lot saying he'll probably end up being a backer in a 4-3. I should rephrase, I dont know if he could make an instant impact for us, and Im not sure if he'll be a stud. DE is such a risky position.

I figured. If you'd watched him play you wouldn't say something like that. The guy is 6-3 and 275 lbs, I don't know where this LB talk comes from. He is a classic DE. I could see saying something like that about Gholston, but it makes no sense with Long. Someone might try to move him to OLB in a 3-4 because he is too explosive to get stuck at DE that defense, but I say he is a better fit as a 4-3 DE. He played with his hand in the dirt almost exclusively at UVa, played a lot of two-gap, faced constant double teams, and still had 14 sacks playing a position that is really not designed to put up those kind of numbers.

Obviously this is a hypothetical debate, but I don't think most people watched enough UVa football last year (perhaps understandably) to really appreciate the ability of Chris Long. Therefore I think a lot of statements you see about him on the internet come out of ignorance.

His scouting report on ESPN:

Strengths: One of the most versatile and polished prospects in the 2008 class. Possesses adequate height with outstanding bulk and all around strength. Can play DE in three-and-four man front, and also projects favorably as a 3-4 OLB. Displays explosive power with initial punch. He shows very first-step quickness, fires out with leverage and does a great job of knocking offensive linemen back with his initial pop. Displays outstanding power and technique in his club and rip moves. Does a fine job of protecting his lower body. Extremely powerful bull rush. Frequently will stand up the OL and drive him back into the QB. He is instinctive and does an excellent job of finding the ball while still fighting through blocks. He disengages quickly and is relentless in pursuit of the ball carrier. Never gives up on a play and his elite motor is infectious. He grew up around the game and knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. His overall intangibles and work ethic are as good as it gets. Also has been extremely durable to this point; missed time in 2004 due to illness but started every game from that point on (2005-2007).

Weaknesses: Lacks elite top-end speed. Will rarely win battles on pure burst off the edge. Very good athlete as a DE but there are still questions regarding his ability to flip his hips in coverage as a LB. Also can get washed out at times when asked to stack versus 300-plus pound OTs.

Overall: Long appeared in 30 games (24 starts) in his first three seasons (2004-'06), recording 108 total tackles (24 for losses) and seven sacks. He turned in a brilliant senior year, collecting 79 tackles (19 for losses), 14 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception that Long returned 25 yards. He was a unanimous All-America selection, winner of the Ted Hendricks Award (given to the nation's top defensive end) and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Long missed five games in 2004 while suffering from mononucleosis. He is the son of Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long. Long still has room to improve when it comes to fighting through double teams and he also lacks elite top-end speed. Otherwise, he's everything a NFL team looks for in a future perennial Pro Bowl defensive end. His combination of size, power, quickness and tenacity are unparalleled by anyone in college football today. Adding to Long's value is his versatility; he can play end in a three-and-four man front (or both in a hybrid) in the NFL. Long has made enormous strides during each of his three seasons at Virginia. If that trend continues as a senior, he will undoubtedly hear his name called in Round 1 of the 2008 draft.

Chris Long. I have seen enough of him to know he is going to be a top 5 DE in the league for a decade. We need DL help and can get depth/long term soultions on the OL later in the draft. I don't even need to think about this. Chris Long without any doubt.

Yeah, I think it would probably have to be Chris Long. I don't understand why people think he will play linebacker, he put up great stats as a pass rushing DE in the 3-4, he'll be great in the 4-3 with his hand on the ground.

All that said, it's hard not to say Glenn Dorsey just because I'm an LSU fan...

Chris Long. He could be a "Charles Mann" for 10+ years for us. Very polished, so downside is minimal. Dorsey would be the other consideration.

I know it goes against the rules, but we should definitely trade it.

The top pick requires such a huge contract for a player who never played professionally and chances are will never be worth the money that the top pick always gets.

Trade it away for lower picks that won't require sacrificing so much cap space or trade it for veteran players who are more proven AND cheaper.


If we HAD to keep it...take Long. We need O-line depth.