Espn Voices Opinion On Skin Needs

[BigSKINBauer]

FROm ESPN, they say their opinion on our needs as a team







Hundreds of players already have changed teams, but with the draft still to come, there's plenty of time to continue plugging holes. Where are those holes? Scouts Inc. has made its list of needs for all 32 NFL teams:

Team needs|



Inside Linebacker
Unrestricted free agent Antonio Pierce signed with the Giants, and there doesn't appear to be a player on the roster ready to replace him. Although Mike Barrow has excellent experience and plays with great intensity, knee problems forced him to miss all of last year and he has lost a step with age.

Brandon Barnes, who is currently listed as the backup, signed with Washington as an undrafted rookie free agent last year and will likely never develop into an every-down player. With that in mind, expect the Redskins to use an early-round pick on a linebacker who has the natural ability to push for playing time this year.

Florida's Channing Crowder, Georgia's Odell Thurman and Oklahoma's Lance Mitchell are three of the best interior linebackers available in this year's draft. Washington may choose to fill this need by moving Lemar Marshall inside. If it takes this approach, depth will need to be added on the outside.

Defensive end
Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams blitzes frequently, so getting pressure from his defensive ends isn't as important as it is for some other teams. That said, adding a defensive end who can consistently get to the quarterback would give Williams more freedom in his play calling.

With RDE Phillip Daniels turning 32 during the offseason and coming off a season-ending wrist injury, now would be a good time for Washington to add a playmaker here. Iowa's Matt Roth and Notre Dame's Justin Tuck possesses outstanding quickness and the athletic ability to make some plays in the backfield.

In addition, don't be surprised to see the Redskins sign or use a late-round pick on an end even if they draft one early, as Renaldo Wynn turns 31 this year. Cornerback

Springs

Shawn Springs returns as the starter on one side, but unrestricted free agent Fred Smoot signed with Minnesota. While Walt Harris has excellent starting experience, he gives up more big plays than he makes when he's asked to line up on the outside and is a much better fit at nickel back.



There is also a glaring lack of depth here, as none of the cornerbacks on Washington's roster appear ready to compete for the nickel back role if Harris has to start. The Redskins should use a first-day pick on a corner who can push Harris for playing time such as Florida State's Bryant McFadden.

Defensive tackle
Washington has re-signed Joe Salave'a, who is a high-motor player who should provide excellent depth behind starters Brandon Noble and Cornelius Griffin. However, Noble turns 31 and Salave'a turns 30 during the offseason, so look for the Redskins to infuse some youth and depth here. Strong safety

Prioleau

This may not appear to be a need at first. Matt Bowen, who started the first five games of the season last year, is expected to return from a season-ending injury, and Washington signed Pierson Prioleau to improve the depth behind him. Prioleau played under Williams while the two were in Buffalo together and should make a smooth transition.



It's also worth noting that Williams frequently rotated his safeties last year and could very well do the same last year. The problem is Bowen and Prioleau aren't upper-echelon starters, and ideally there should be a little more stability at this position. Look for the Redskins to draft a developmental prospect on the second day.

Offensive guard
Randy Thomas and 2003 third-round pick Derrick Dockery return as the starters, but Dockery hasn't progressed as hoped. Although Washington will likely give Dockery one more season to start realizing his potential, it must start preparing the possibility he remains inconsistent.

Look for the Redskins to use a second-day pick on a guard who can provide adequate depth this year and possibly push Dockery for playing time next year.

Tight end
Robert Royal made strides last year and is expected to return as the starter, but he isn't a great in-line blocker. Although Michael Sellers and 2004 third-round pick Chris Cooley can line up at tight end in certain situations, both are better fits at H-Back. In addition, Brian Kozlowski is an unrestricted free agent who isn't expected to return and Jabari Holloway failed to appear in a game last year. With depth an issue, Washington should use a late-round pick on a tight end.

[BigSKINBauer]

what position is most needed?
i would definatly say CB but we may need a lb for depth or to start
D-line is starting to look like we have all we are going to get
I would like a big arse TE though

[Redskins_P]

Wow, they didn't even mention WR? I would think we need more help at WR than at Guard or SS.

[MTK]

My list would be CB and WR, after that look at the best available.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

My list would be CB and WR, after that look at the best available.

agreed.

[Gmanc711]

I agree w/ Matty too. Even then I'd say WR is our only really pressing need. I think we could be OK at CB, but if we get the chance to get one via draft pending that'd be fine, but really alot of these I dont agree with. I think we can be fine now.

[John Hasbrouck]

our need-legitimate pass rush DE

[lifetimeskin]

I must say that CB and LB are our biggest needs. I don't see WR as a must this draft. Remember we are a running team, and all we need is WR who are fast enough to keep the Safties out the play.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by lifetimeskin

I must say that CB and LB are our biggest needs. I don't see WR as a must this draft. Remember we are a running team, and all we need is WR who are fast enough to keep the Safties out the play.

Possession recievers keep drives alive to continue to run and wear down a defense, I feel thats the 1 thing we are missing a consistant possession reciever to go out there and convert those big third down's consistantly and keep those drives alive.

[memphisskin]

I'd like to see us get a pass rushing defensive end. Erasmus James makes the most sense to me, because the only thing we struggled doing defensively was applying pressure without the blitz. We need someone who can make big plays off the edge, maybe Daniels can fill that role but I'd like to see us get a young stud defensively. I don't think we need to get a corner in the first round, other than Rolle, because I think we have plenty of proven depth on the roster already. Those guys that filled in at the end of last season showed that they can contribute.

Offensively, its whatever. A run blocking TE would be a godsend, that would be my priority because we've got to get Portis loose next year. I think the wideouts we have on the team are more than sufficient, we may not have a star but we've got plenty of quality. I'd like to see us develop the guys we have more, Taylor Jacobs was rated pretty highly when he came out and I think we'll him have a breakout year.

[BossHog]

I've said it elsewhere. The only WR we should be interested in is Matt Jones. And no I'm not saying we draft him at #9. You have to consider the offense we're running.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Part of me agrees with that and part of me doesn't. We DO have a LOT of WRs and we may be set at the position for the upcoming year, so I feel like why not take a chance on Jones.

The other part of me is like, Why not take Edwards or Williamson if they are available since that is their natural position.