Redskins take tackle fourth overall in draft
ASHBURN — The rumors flew all day about Washington looking at different players, and positions. But in the end, the Redskins took what they needed most: an offensive tackle.
With the fourth overall pick in the draft — and with the first pick of the Mike Shanahan/Bruce Allen era — the Redskins took Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams. The Redskins opted for Williams over Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung and hope to plug him in immediately at left tackle.
“The pressure will be on a top-five guy,” Shanahan said.
The 6-foot-4, 314-pound Williams played right tackle for his first three seasons — he was first team all Big-12 as a junior — before moving to left tackle this past fall. He was versatile enough to play center in the Sooners’ bowl game vs. Stanford.
“You’re getting a fierce competitor,” Williams said. “I have a desire to win. I want to be the best and they’re gonna get a great teammate. This is a dream situation for me. … The offense they run; the coach. Anyone would feel this way.”
One NFL general manager called Williams the “most talented lineman in the draft and probably as talented as any lineman to have come out in a while.”
However, he added that, “everyone knows what the red flags are with him and you wonder what happens when you give him all that money. Money always makes things worse and you have to consider that. These guys don’t change. He can be lazy, but he’ll step in and be their best lineman right away. He’s competitive and he’s tough.”
But it’s also not surprising given the past of Redskins president/coach Mike Shanahan. In Denver he favored drafting players who showed great potential, even if their college results did not always match the talent. It’s worked some years, but his draft record there was spotty at best.
Still, Williams fit the profile he likes. He’s full of athleticism, providing a good base at the second most important position on offense. His athleticism compares to another former Shanahan draft pick, Ryan Clady, a first-round choice in 2008 with Denver.
“There aren’t many athletes that are 315 pounds that run in that 4.8 range [in the 40-yard dash],” Shanahan said. “That’s the type of athleticism we look for. A very agile offensive tackle is something we look for. Sometimes it’s hard to find unless you do pick in the first round. We found a guy that can really help us.
“There are a number of players you look for in a zone-blocking scheme and they don’t always have that type of quickness and speed. Now we get a chance to see if he can do it.” He did struggle at times vs. the blitz, especially vs. BYU when his error led to quarterback Sam Bradford suffering his initial shoulder injury. Williams said he played hurt at least part of the season.
However, he fills a major hole for the Redskins. They lost Chris Samuels to retirement earlier this offseason. Samuels started at left tackle from the time he entered as the No. 3 pick in the 2000 draft until a neck injury forced him out this past season.
“It’s some huges shoes to fill,” Williams said.
But Washington had no alternative. In minicamp last weekend, Stephon Heyer worked at left tackle, but he’s had problems as a right tackle let alone on the left side. Williams is the first offensive lineman Washington has selected in the first round since Samuels. They hadn’t even drafted one in the second round during this time.
But Williams gives them an opportunity to fill a void for the next 10 years. However, fingers will be crossed.
“Trent Williams could be an All-Pro,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said, “but because of questions about his work ethic and consistency, he could fall short.”
Williams now becomes one of three Redskins who are alums of Longview High School in Texas, joining Malcolm Kelly and Robert Henson.
“They might have to hang a few Redskins flags across the city of Longview,” Williams said.
