Russell Okung or Sam Bradford? Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen? Fourth overall or a late first- and second-rounder?
Washington Redskins coaches and scouts spent the past week gawking at the top college prospects at the Senior Bowl, a precursor to the coming NFL Scouting Combine. No longer are Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder running the draft, replaced by coach Mike Shanahan and GM Bruce Allen.
The needs are many after a 4-12 season, especially with a new coach’s different schemes. Offensive linemen, running back, quarterback, safety, linebacker and cornerback are the primary holes. They’ll likely only get one, maybe two contributors in the April 22-24 draft.
Does Washington go offensive tackle or quarterback with the fourth selection? Logic says left tackle. Veteran Chris Samuels would be foolish to risk permanent disability from his season-ending neck injury. Ultimately, the Redskins must replace the six-time Pro Bowler.
Without a revamped offensive line, the Redskins have little chance to improve greatly over last year. Most likely, Oklahoma State’s Okung will be available for left tackle. He seems the sensible choice that Shanahan and Allen will back. Still, there are tackles available in the second round so the Redskins can find one. Just one who isn’t a can’t-miss prospect.
The Redskins seem willing to keep incumbent quarterback Jason Campbell should the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners not be reached by March 1. Frankly, the owners would rather sacrifice the 2011 season to a labor lockout and break the union. One step backward for two steps forward financially. That means Campbell returns as a restricted free agent.
If Washington selects a young passer for the future and uses Campbell now as a pi?ata, the choice seems Bradford versus Clausen. Bradford’s health is the only question. If the Oklahoma passer aces the combine, he may be gone by the fourth pick. Conversely, Clausen could fall even further than his Notre Dame predecessor Brady Quinn, all the way to the Redskins’ 36th pick overall. After all, when passers freefall, it’s often more than a few spots.
If Washington questions Bradford’s soundness, it should gamble on waiting for Clausen and take a tackle with the fourth choice. If Clausen is gone by the second-round pick, grab another lineman.
The Redskins certainly will cloud their choice — to avoid another team trading ahead to grab their guy. But ultimately, it’s Okung versus Bradford. In past years, Snyder would have gone with a quarterback. We’ll see what the newcomers do.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
