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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Washington Redskins
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (5): 13, 80, 150, 186, 243*
*-compensatory pick cannot be traded
Defensive End – There is big drama surrounding the impending
competition between Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn. It’s a race to
retirement as much as deciding who will be able to contribute on this
season’s defense. Daniels “lost” $1,300,000 by being cut and then later
signed. He seems to be over it. Wynn is back after spending 2007 with
the Saints and last year with the rival Giants to help them through the
Osi Umenyiora injury. The two veterans are friends, but good feelings
and bad jokes aside neither of them will be around in 2010. Demetric
Evans (49ers) bolted and Jason Taylor was released after one failed
season with the team. There is literally no one to put on the other end
of the line from Andre Carter on this defense unless you count the
CFL’s Chris Wilson or seldom used rookie Rob Jackson. Carter led the
‘Skins with a miniscule 4 sacks, but also garnered most of the
attention from opposing blockers. Their first priority in the draft is
someone to rush the passer from this position.
Linebacker – This unit is in serious need of reinforcements.
They have no one of consequence to start on the strong side. Marcus
Washington was cut and the negotiations for his return at a reasonable
price are not going well. In the middle London Fletcher is flat out a
freak of nature. He turns 34 in May and I get the feeling someone will
have to tear the uniform off his back for him to quit. He has reached
90 solo tackles in each and every season since 2000. Where are the guys
waiting in the wings to step in? They will have to be found in the
draft or the next wave of free agency.
Offensive Tackle – Jon Jansen does not have much more left to
offer. Plus, head coach Jim Zorn is not his biggest fan. Zorn promoted
Stephon Heyer into his spot before Heyer gave it back due to injury.
They could definitely add someone capable of locking down this starting
job with authority. If that player is able to eventually take over the
left side for Chris Samuels (who is almost 32) they would be thrilled,
but with so few picks I would not hold my breath on that possibility
Redskin fans.
Offensive Line (interior) – Derrick Dockery is back to play
guard which is good because last season’s play at the position was very
poor. Well, it’s good if he can elevate his play. There is a reason
Buffalo cut him, but they are expecting him to start which is why Pete
Kendall’s stint with the team appears over. Kendall is lingering in
free agency. Randy Thomas could be the other starter and just turned
33. Last year’s third round pick Chad Rinehart figures into the future.
Another injury, or two, would be devastating given their current depth
chart. At center Casey Rabach gave up 5 ½ sacks. I get the
feeling if a versatile guard/center is available the Redskins would
take that player in the middle rounds.
Quarterback – It has to be considered a need if the owner mulls
over trading the current starter right? Jason Campbell to his credit
took the slight well. I would too if as a former first round pick I had
35 career touchdown passes in 36 games with a career quarterback rating
of 80.4. He has gradually improved on the stat sheet, and perhaps most
importantly did not hurt the team with turnovers (6 interceptions, 1
lost fumble) last season. He also didn’t help them much passing the
football, which I hear is what quarterbacks do occasionally in the NFL.
Over the team’s final 12 games he had 7 touchdown passes including no
games with more than one. Colt Brennan was taken as a possible project
and Todd Collins is just playing out the string of his career. It is
conceivable the Redskins draft another quarterback, but I would not
bank on it happening given their current stack of chips on draft
weekend.
Kicker/Punter – Both of these positions were troublesome in
2008. Kicker Shaun Suisham was signed to a one year deal, but that was
just to be sure someone was on the roster in case a better option
failed to come along. He was an ugly 12/20 (60%) from 40+ yards out.
None of his misses directly resulted in losing a game, but that’s not
NFL material. He was 11/15 in 2007 from distance putting his two year
total at 66%. Someone with a more range will be brought in to press
him. At punter Ryan Plackemeier was released after averaging 41.7 yards
on 55 punts. Only three teams had a lower team average than
Washington’s 41.0. Rookie Durant Brooks was even worse (39.6) and is
now in Green Bay. At the moment it looks like Dirk Johnson is the
incumbent. He managed just 41.8 yards on 20 attempts for Arizona last
year. Someone with a big leg will definitely be sought out.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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