Om Field: Breaking Down the Lines (Pt. 1)

[-Om-]

What's struck me as much as anything is not just the number of picks used on linemen as compared to our division rivals, but the lack of high picks spent on the lines.

Since taking Samuels with the #3 overall in 2000, the Redskins have used a grand total of two picks higher than the 5th round on linemen--a 3rd for Dockery in '03, and a 3rd for Rinehard in '08.

It goes deeper. 11 of the 16 picks they have used on linemen over the past ten years have come in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. And 8 of those 11 have come in the 5th and 6th.

To me it speaks either of a bordeline arrogant belief that one can build legitimate starting-caliber NFL lines almost exclusively with late-round draft picks, or the belief that starters are better acquired through free agency. Either way ... it ain't working.