Redskins Draft Analysis Thread

I thought it might be interesting to hear from some fellow Redskins fans on their overall analysis and/or opinions concerning our draft. I'll get it started with my observations and comments.

Overall, I think we had a very good draft. The Skins seemed to come into this draft with a plan that included:

1. Targeting needs without straying to far from their draft value board.
2. Acquiring more picks to add depth to the team and to increase competition for roster spots.
3. Keeping their future picks.

I think they accomplished these goals, for the most part.

I think it was evident that the Skins wanted a pass rusher to play opposite Brian Orakpo as much as any other need. They got that player in Kerrigan and they did it the right way by trading down to get him about where he should have been drafted rather than giving away the store to get a higher rated pass rusher, like Von Miller.

We needed a run stopper in a big way. I think the Skins may have decided to pick Jenkins where they did because they rated him as the second best run stopper behind Phil Taylor and they weren't sure what they might do with their second 2nd Round pick, so they didn't want to take the chance of leaving that need unfilled.

I think the Skins may have made a mistake in the second round that cost them one of my favorite players in the draft, Stephan Wisniewski. I gathered that the Skins intended to draft Wis because SmootSmack posted that the Skins would go C next right before he had to sign off. Then, in his post draft news conference, Shanny was asked about not picking and OL high and he said that sometimes things happen in the draft such as another team picking the player you want right in front of you. I think that may have actually happened when Oakland picked Wis at #48 while we had the #49 pick.

The mistake was not trading up in front of Oakland to get Stephan because of his uncle Steve being a coach and a former OL great with the Raiders. Bruce Allen should have known the way they think in Oakland. Damn!

Picking Leonard Hankerson at #79 was a brilliant move! I think he'll be a very good NFL receiver for many years.

Helu was also a great pick. Whenever I saw him play in college, watching him run in an offense that is similar to the Skins' offense, in his one-cut-and-go style, I felt that he was a back that Shanny would like. I think he'll do well here.

If we could have gotten Wis, we could have folded our tent right after we got Helu, as far as I'm concerned, and we would have had a near perfect draft: OLB Kerrigan, DL Jenkins, C/G Wisniewski, WR Hankerson, RB Helu. Wow!

Honestly, I don't know much about the other players we picked, except one, but I'm hoping some of them can help us. The one exception is Chris Neild. I saw him play a number of times and I came away very impressed. I think Chris may turn out to be a good NFL player at NT. He was a very effective run-stopper in college and he is relentless. If Neild can help with the rotation at NT and we can move Jenkins to RDE, then we should have a much improved run defense.

Draft Grade: B.

Neilid is my favorite pick. I foresee him starting this year. I also think that Kerrigan will start (and help free Rak to get 15 sacks while picking up 10 for himself). Jenkins will be part of the rotation but I think Carriker and Daniels will be opening day starters. Hankerson is another great value pick who could be a great starter for years to come. I really like the rb's chosen too.
I think this is the best Redskins draft, by far, in a long time. Of course that it isn't saying a lot. Not once did I completely shake my head trying to figure out what they were thinking. I think the only reach was Jenkins but I actually trust this staff to know what I don't.
I'd say B+

I thought it might be interesting to hear from some fellow Redskins fans on their overall analysis and/or opinions concerning our draft. I'll get it started with my observations and comments.

Overall, I think we had a very good draft. The Skins seemed to come into this draft with a plan that included:

1. Targeting needs without straying to far from their draft value board.
2. Acquiring more picks to add depth to the team and to increase competition for roster spots.
3. Keeping their future picks.

I think they accomplished these goals, for the most part.

I think it was evident that the Skins wanted a pass rusher to play opposite Brian Orakpo as much as any other need. They got that player in Kerrigan and they did it the right way by trading down to get him about where he should have been drafted rather than giving away the store to get a higher rated pass rusher, like Von Miller.

We needed a run stopper in a big way. I think the Skins may have decided to pick Jenkins where they did because they rated him as the second best run stopper behind Phil Taylor and they weren't sure what they might do with their second 2nd Round pick, so they didn't want to take the chance of leaving that need unfilled.

I think the Skins may have made a mistake in the second round that cost them one of my favorite players in the draft, Stephan Wisniewski. I gathered that the Skins intended to draft Wis because SmootSmack posted that the Skins would go C next right before he had to sign off. Then, in his post draft news conference, Shanny was asked about not picking and OL high and he said that sometimes things happen in the draft such as another team picking the player you want right in front of you. I think that may have actually happened when Oakland picked Wis at #48 while we had the #49 pick.

The mistake was not trading up in front of Oakland to get Stephan because of his uncle Steve being a coach and a former OL great with the Raiders. Bruce Allen should have known the way they think in Oakland. Damn!

Picking Leonard Hankerson at #79 was a brilliant move! I think he'll be a very good NFL receiver for many years.

Helu was also a great pick. Whenever I saw him play in college, watching him run in an offense that is similar to the Skins' offense, in his one-cut-and-go style, I felt that he was a back that Shanny would like. I think he'll do well here.

If we could have gotten Wis, we could have folded our tent right then, as far as I'm concerned, and we would have had a near perfect draft: OLB Kerrigan, DL Jenkins, C/G Wisniewski, WR Hankerson. Wow!

Honestly, I don't know much about the other players we picked, except one, but I'm hoping some of them can help us. The one exception is Chris Neild. I saw him play a number of times and I came away very impressed. I think Chris may turn out to be a good NFL player at NT. He was a very effective run-stopper in college and he is relentless. If Neild can help with the rotation at NT and we can move Jenkins to RDE, then we should have a much improved run defense.

Draft Grade: B.

Very good analysis. Could've been a A, but Day 3 wasn't as strong as the first 2 days. While we did address needs (backup S) (CB); I didn't like the players we got (Gomes and Thompson) when other more talented DB's were available. I like Robinson in the slot, Paul could develope into a decent WR; Hurt, played at Florida and can play both RG and LG; and Neil is arguably the best true NT we have on our roster right now.

Draft Grade: B-

Draft philosophy: stockpile picks so that you can roll the dice as many times as possible. When you do pick, take hard working, high character folks (with a couple of exceptions). In so doing you respond simultaneously to two problems which have plagued us: lack of depth and lack of youth. For overall philosophy, a grade of A.

Draft execution: a little more troublesome. A first/second round combo of Jordan/Reed would likely be more productive than the Kerrigan/Jenkins combo. Also, not enough attention was paid to the trenches on both sides of the ball. For example, Jenkins and Neild alone will not fix the DL problems of lack of quality talent and lack of young depth (it is uncertain what kind of 3-4 DE Jarmon will be). The lack of attention to the trenches could have been remedied by taking 2 WR's instead of 3 and by not drafting safeties who lack cover skills and did not even start on their college team. Grade for execution: C+.

Overall grade: B

I think selecting Jenkins was a good pick (to replace Haynesworth) at DE. When you compare the other legitimate 3 and 5 technique DL available in the draft, his value jumps a bit.

First off, the FO did a great job in acquiring picks and I loved the philosophy. I think the last 4 picks were arguable the best at a value standpoint outside of Hankerson. I didnt like the WR and CB/S picks from Nebraska...I think much much better picks out there at that point.

I think this draft was the most surprising and intriguing not only from the Skins viewpoint which it certainly was, but in general leaguewide. Its because of the lockout and no free agency...but wow, very interesting. Alot of stuff just didnt make sense ie all those 3rd and 4th round QB going in the 1st and 2nd. The second round was just insane to me...a ton of effing reaches by alot of teams.

2 surprises from the Skins:
1. No QB taken (which I thought was brillant)
2. No prominent NT or ILB picks. Ive mention NT perspective in a couple threads, but think for a second about ILB...Rocky is NOT coming back and London is still effective, but is getting up there. Is this a free agency fill? I tend to think not, much more other needs. So are we going with Riley, Henson or One Man Gang next to London? I think(hope) so, but Id woulda thought a middle round pick woulda been spent there to add another piece for competition.

I think the grade is a B, kudos to the FO

I'm going to grade this draft a B+ without any further elaboration. Anything I attempt to add will only be an extention to what has already been said over the course of the last three days.

Could we have done better? [maybe] we could also have done worse. I'm never satisfied but, will be content to watch the development of these young players.

:happybday Ray Parker Jr.

2011 Draft: Steals and Reaches - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/04/30/draft.steals.reaches/index.html#ixzz1L7au4FXn)

Not sure if this has been posted but here you go.

Leonard Hankerson/WR/Washington/Round 3/No. 79: Hankerson's inconsistency and untimely drops pushed him into the third round, yet he possesses the physical skills to be a productive second wide out on the NFL level. He will immediately help the receiver needy Redskins.



Roy Helu/RB/Washington/Round 4/No. 105: Helu was the second skill player the Redskins chose in round four. He's a triple threat running back who will compete for the starting position.

Chris Neild/NT/Washington/Round 7/No. 253: The fact Neild was the second-to-last player selected is mind-blowing. He's a 320-pound slugger who brings his lunch pail to work every day and is a prospect coaches will love. Don't be surprised if he's starting by the end of his rookie season.


Three of our picks hit Pauline's "Steals of the Draft" list. I've never heard anything remotely this positive about a Redskins draft prior. I would personally rank this draft currently with a A-. Incredible job by the front office. Let's hope these picks perform to their ability.

very strong draft in my humble opinion. i think they added atleast three starters for next year and didn't mortgage anything away to get them, but instead gained more picks. i gave them a b in the warpath poll, it would have been an a+ if this would have been last years draft, still kills me we wasted a year of rebuilding trying to "win now", i hope that mentality is long gone.


kerrigan is gonna be a stud, seems to be a solid lock, i love this pick

don't know much about jenkins but, over 6' and over 300lbs, thats a nice frame to work with and hope we can groom him into a solid dt, nt, de or whatever they see fit for him

i think we might have gotten one of the biggest steals with hankerson time will certainly tell, but a wr from the U that holds the td record speaks volumes to me, especially since he did it with jacory harris, i mean come on.

it will be very interesting to see what royster can do, he had a pretty strong career at penn state, and he is a local kid so thats always a plus

and chris neild, love it. i'm a big wvu homer and this kid has potential, as long as he doesn't lose his drive he has a good chance at being an active member of the 53 man squad, i have a felling he will make the final cut but doubt we will see too much of him next year, but who knows what could happen along our d line. hopefully he can get capers going and we can have two wvu stud lineman

2011 Draft: Steals and Reaches - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/04/30/draft.steals.reaches/index.html#ixzz1L7au4FXn)

Not sure if this has been posted but here you go.









Three of our picks hit King's "Steals of the Draft" list. I've never heard anything remotely this positive about a Redskins draft prior. I would personally rank this draft currently with a A-. Incredible job by the front office. Let's hope these picks perform to their ability.That's actually Tony Pauline writing, not King.