charlescurtis2003's Blog
Views
581
Comments
0
Dan Snyder loves to make a splash. Whether it's hiring high-profile coaches (Steve Spurrier, HOFer Joe Gibbs or, lately, Mike Shanahan), trading for superstars (Clinton Portis, Donovan McNabb) or catching the big free-agent fish (Albert Haynesworth), Snyder seems almost hell-bent on making all the right news, if not all the right moves. The result: A near-annual sub-.500 record and, once again, a spot among the NFL Draft's top 10 selections. And that's the problem.

Washington has only four selections in the NFL Draft this year (4, 103, 163, 211) and has several holes to fill. First, the team must find a new left tackle. While he manned the blind side, Chris Samuels received his fair share of criticism, but now that he is retired, the Redskins know what they lost and must now replace. Sure, they could sign Flozell Adams, but he is a two-year stopgap at best, and they need help at both tackles. General Manager Bruce Allen knows how to build a winning team (his Tampa Bay squad won a Super Bowl before falling on hard times), and it will be interesting to see how he acquires new building blocks in the nation's capitol.

Trading Jason Campbell would bring, at best, maybe a fourth-round pick and perhaps a conditional pick next year. If Oakland gets involved, that price might jump to a third-rounder, but certainly no more. Several teams are after Haynesworth, who may be expendable now with the Redskins' acquisition of Adam Carriker from St. Louis. But he won't bring more than a second-rounder with his hefty contract, and a return to Tennessee is not out of the question. Also, with the Redskins' sudden depth at running back, Portis could be dealt again, but he won't bring Champ Bailey and a second-rounder this time.

So with all that in mind, let's look at a couple of scenarios that make sense if Washington is indeed looking to trade down and who they could end up with at those picks.

Oakland at number 8 would be a logical place, since they also need a premier left tackle and could be tempted to move up to select Russell Okung, if they feel like he is the best line prospect and don't want to lose him. The Raiders could also be in position to select defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, should the unthinkable happen and Tampa Bay pass on him at number three.

For Washington, the trade won't bring an extra second-rounder, but a third (69) and low fifth (158) would probably do it. At eight, Trent Williams may still be available, and he is more suited to the zone-blocking scheme that Mike Shanahan favors. Bryan Bulaga and Anthony Davis also should be available. They could also pull a Cleveland and keep trading down into the teens, where Davis should still be available, along with Mike Iupati or Maurkice Pouncey. The team needs so much O-line help that any of these players would be welcome.

Buffalo at number 9 is possible but not likely. While the Bills also need a left tackle, they are one of the few teams linked to Jimmy Clausen. By moving up, they effectively take themselves out of the quarterback hunt, at least in the early rounds.

Finally, San Francisco is sitting at numbers 13 and 17, and could want a shot at Okung or even safety Eric Berry. Obviously, the 49ers won't surrender both first-rounders, or their second-rounder at 49, so the Redskins would likely be looking at pick 79 and either pick 113 or pick 182 and another pick next year, which they could also use.)

Best overall scenario for Washington would be:

  1. Send Jason Campbell to Oakland for that third-rounder (69)
  2. Ship Haynesworth back to Tennessee for their third-rounder (77), plus a pick next year.
  3. Execute the trade down with San Francisco at 13.
  4. Hold onto Clinton Portis and a strong backfield (with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker), unless a great offer comes along.

Final result: Picks 13, 69, 77, 103, 113, 135, 211. Draft Anthony Davis at 13, look for a developmental QB at 69 or 77, and fortify the defensive line in the later rounds.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Start Your Own Blog

Start Now

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Howard considering five teams
    Views
    14845
    Comments
    1322
  2. 2
    Why A-Rod's unloading his dream home for $30M
    Views
    8951
    Comments
    527
  3. 3
    Why Tennessee's the problem in the SEC
    Views
    2258
    Comments
    137
  4. 4
    Unnamed Jet: Team through with Sanchez
    Views
    35198
    Comments
    93
  5. 5
    Toews coming unglued
    Views
    2381
    Comments
    61

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos