Joe Gibbs admitted one thing right away during a Tuesday press conference. He couldn’t tell the truth. So he apologized.
But the inability to be honest is common right now in the NFL. At draft time, nobody wants to divulge too much information — if any.
About the only thing Washington can say is that it wants to find an impact player with the sixth overall pick.
These appear to be the four scenarios with their first pick:
» Select Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. There’s an excellent chance that Okoye will be the guy. The Redskins know they must fortify their defensive line and they like Okoye — regarded as the best of the linemen. Though some wondered if the 19-year-old would get caught up in the NFL bright lights, one league source said the fact that he’s still projected to go in the top 10 dispels those worries.
But what concerns some is that before the season he was projected as a second-round pick and now will go in the top 10.
“That can be a red mark,” the source said. “Guys who fail were driven up too fast.”
He’s the likely pick if they trade down.
» Select LSU safety LaRon Landry. He’s the safer pick, filling a hole at safety and having a stronger, and longer, body of work behind him.
“There’s less risk with him,” the source said.
Landry’s weakness is in coverage, but he’s considered to have better ball skills than Redskins safety Sean Taylor. However, the source said Landry needs someone deep with him who could run the defenseand help him with calls. That’s not considered Taylor’s strength.
If they stay at six, Landry probably provides the best value.
» Trade down. The Redskins would love to do this, just as a number of other teams would like to do the same. But they have two things going for them: Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson. There’s a decent chance one of them will be available when Washington selects. That could prompt a team like Minnesota (seventh) or Miami (ninth) into swapping picks.
“Washington wants out of that pick,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
» Trade up. This is the most unlikely scenario. The Redskins might like Calvin Johnson, but they’re not alone. And they don’t have enough to trade up for him, at least not compared to other teams. They want to hang onto as many draft picks as possible next year, which makes it doubtful they’d give up their first pick in 2008.
The war room
» What: 2007 NFL Draft
» When: Saturday, April 28, 11 a.m.; Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m.
» Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
» TV: Saturday, ESPN (11 a.m.-8 p.m.), ESPN2 (8-10 p.m.); Sunday, ESPN (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
REDSKINS DRAFT PICKS
Round 1: 6th overall
Round 5: 143rd overall
Round 6: 179th overall
Round 6: 205th overall
Round 7: 216th overall
