Kiper's Mailbag

Will the Washington Redskins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was) be looking to draft an offensive lineman, clearly a weakness from last year, or might they go for a wide receiver like Mark Clayton (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft05/tracker/player?id=8924) of Oklahoma or Braylon Edwards (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft05/tracker/player?id=8923) or Michigan?
Mike, Jackson, N.J.

KIPER -- Washington's main need along the offensive line is at center. The Redskins need a big, physical anchor to take on all those huge defensive tackles, and if they can't get one through free agency they might look at Michigan's David Baas (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft05/tracker/player?id=8524), a former guard who moved to center. He is not tremendously athletic, but Baas is a big street fighter with strength and a mean streak. He would make a lot of sense with Washington's third-round pick, but he will likely be off the board in the second round and the 'Skins don't pick in that round.

So, trading down just a bit,would allow them to move to the No. 12-13 area in the first round, get a second-rounder to use on Baas and still allow Washington to go after a quality wideout early. That may be a little early for Clayton and Edwards might be off the board already, but there is plenty of talent to choose from, including South Carolina's Troy Williamson. Third in line among the Redskins' needs is a defensive end.

I have a feeling that we are going to have to keep our #9 pick to get an impact reciever, Clayton will probably be available if we trade into the 12th or 13th spot and maybe William's, but Edward's and Williamson will be off the board Dallas will probably take Williamson, and Edward's won't make it out of the top 10, our best bet at drafting a quality center will be trading off Gardner and if we get lucky Morton and McCant's, for pick's that can be used to move us into the second rd. if we don't come away with a stud center in this draft we will have similar problem's next year on offense.

I keep hearing about this kid Williamson. I wish someone here could tell us a little more about him. Did anyone see this guy in a game?

I keep hearing about this kid Williamson. I wish someone here could tell us a little more about him. Did anyone see this guy in a game?

Didn't see him in a game. The only thing I've heard is that he excelled in a run-oriented offense. Plus, the SEC is arguably the best conference in college football, so he frequently faced stiff competition.

Just the mere mention of Braylon Edwards' propensity to drop catchable passes turns me off. We're trying to get rid of a player just like that in Rod Gardner. Mike Williams will most likely be gone, but even if he's still there, he not known for great speed, which is more of what we need.

Early indications tell me that Williamson could be the way to go.

Still, I really just wish we could make do with Coles, Thrash, Jacobs, and McCants and concentrate on the offensive line. Somehow though, I don't think that wideout corps will be able to do the job. And I'd hate to be in the same position next season when we need to pick up 25 or 30 yards through the air, but can't.

Beemn - I wouldn't be suprised if Williamson gets taken over Williams. The combine will show a lot. If Williams is big, fat, and slow - which he certainly could be, then he'll fall way down. He's Byron Chamberlain II.

Beemn - our O line isn't THAT bad. Thomas, Samuels, and Jansen are great. Dockery needs some work, but we do need a center. Give Dockery, and the rest of the guys, a little time. Dockery made some really big plays this year. About as many as he gave up, he's shown enough to stay, in my opinion (also, let's check his cap numbers...) I agree Jacobs needs more play time.

I really like the scenario that Kiper layed out

Beemn - our O line isn't THAT bad. Thomas, Samuels, and Jansen are great. Dockery needs some work, but we do need a center. Give Dockery, and the rest of the guys, a little time. Dockery made some really big plays this year. About as many as he gave up, he's shown enough to stay, in my opinion (also, let's check his cap numbers...) I agree Jacobs needs more play time.

I agree about the O-line. I've said before that Dockery could be another Ed Simmons. He struggled early in his career, and just needed a few seasons to get into a groove. Later, Simmons became a dominant right tackle. This is the year Dockery needs to establish himself into the guard everyone says he can be. If not, he's backup material at best, another Brad Badger.

I just don't see any team using a #9 pick on a center. Even thought that's the most glaring need.

Our O-line seems to be on the verge of being among the top-tier lines in the league. It appears that we could use one more player of Jansen's, Thomas' and Samuels capability -- In addition to staying injury free. That's the wild card, and that's why I place offensive linemen as a top priority this year.

By the way, who's Byron Chamberlain? Wasn't he a tight end?

Yep, a TE with all the talent in the world, made the pro bowl once, now can't keep his face out of a bag of Cheetos.

I, too, am hearing all sorts of things about this Willamson. I've read some scouting reports on him and I think he MIGHT be a good 1st round pick if no one else is available.

I like Kiper's idea of trading down for more draft picks. We do need a big, mean dude at center who will maul people at the point of attack more than we need a receiver. If nothing else, we could use that second 1st round pick on a receiver who will challenge Thrash, Jacobs, and McCants. I think McCants has yet to reach his full potential; he could end up being an awesome #3 wideout. I like Jacobs's big play potential (is he the next Ricky Sanders?). Thrash is no longer starting material, but he's a valuable asset on special teams and, more importantly, a team player and locker room leader.