One of these players likely will be a Redskin. Unless, of course, yet another name emerges. Washington has five picks in this weekend’s draft as of Friday.

Fortunately, by Saturday afternoon, the questions about who they might take will end.


Which position should they take? » It depends who’s available. Washington needs a left end, hopefully one who can rush the passer, a right tackle and a strongside linebacker. They could easily fill the linebacker slot at No. 13, but the other two needs come at more important positions.

“They’ve got to take the tackle,” one NFL GM said. “That position has more value.”

However, the top three tackles could be gone. The Redskins might have to settle for Mississippi’s Oher. They’d be thrilled if Orakpo fell to them at 13.

Linebacker offers good value and the Redskins could trade down, pick up another third-rounder or even a second and still select either Cushing or Maualuga. Most experts consider the strength of the draft to be from the late first round into the third.

If they want Sanchez — NFL sources say they’re very high on him — they might have to surrender next year’s No. 1 to trade into the top 10 and select him.

Those around the league know the Redskins — specifically owner Dan Snyder — desire.

“He prides himself in playing high-stakes poker, but he shows everyone his hand,” an NFL source said. “That’s why he has to pay more. Everyone knows his cards.”

Will Jason Campbell be traded? » The Redskins deny that they’re shopping him. They once denied interest in Jay Cutler, too. There’s no doubt they want another quarterback and if someone gave them a second-round pick, they’d probably pounce. But that’s a high price to pay for a still-unproven quarterback entering the last year of a contract.

“I wouldn’t give him away,” the GM said. “He still has value, but obviously you’d be listening [to offers]. There’s an upside to keeping him.”

If the Redskins do acquire Sanchez, they could still start Campbell. If he plays well, they could franchise him and trade him. If he doesn’t, then they wouldn’t have sacrificed much — especially if all he would fetch now is a fifth-rounder.

What else should they address? » Washington needs to add another young corner. Fred Smoot is a decent No. 3, but fading. And last year’s fourth-rounder Justin Tryon played poorly last preseason. Carlos Rogers has one year left on his contract. If they traded down and added multiple picks, this is an area they could address. One guy who would fill this semi-need, as well as one at punt returner, is Wake Forest corner Alphonso Smith (projected as a late first-round choice).

They’d also like to add depth along the interior of the line. This is not a good draft late for guards, but there are intriguing centers (Cal’s Alex Mack; Louisville’s Eric Wood) who could be around in the third.