With the 13th pick, the Redskins drafted University of Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo.

Clearly they were happy to have him, using just two and a half minutes of their allotted 10 to select him. They hope to make a strong, young pairing with Orakpo and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Orakpo was considered a strong possibility to go in the top 10. However, scouts and general managers seemed to be split on what he offered. And with teams looking for ends who could play linebacker in a 3-4, some doubted his ability to play that role.

However, the Redskins play a 4-3 and only want him to do what he did in college: rush the passer. There’s a good chance he’ll also play strongside linebacker, another area where the Redskins had a hole.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder had 11 1/2 sacks this past fall, six more than he had as a junior when he missed four games because of a knee injury that he said is no longer an issue. His strength has long impressed scouts and others. But the knock on him is that he’s still a bit raw as a rusher and he’ll have to develop against the run.

“I liked his ability to get on the edge very quickly on a tackle,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “If you’re a slow-footed tackle, you’ll be reaching for this guy because of the initial explosion and then he can turn the corner. He has great acceleration.”

He’s the first defensive linemen picked by Washington in the first round since it took Kenard Lang in 1997.

“When I met with the all the teams, the Redskins had the best vibe,” said Orakpo, who called coming here a dream come true.

It’s also quite a dream to play alongside Haynesworth.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “Having one of the best defensive tackles in the game right now will make my job easier. That’s what you need is that force up the middle.”

Orakpo was the Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Year and received the Lombardi Award as the nation’s best lineman and the Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player. The plaudits stemmed from his pass-rush ability.

“Oh, man, just that fire and intensity that I bring as far as getting after the quarterback,” he said. “I don’t have a favorite move or anything. I just go out and try to do the best I can and put pressure.”

The Redskins visited with Orakpo recently, taking him out to dinner along with two other potential draft picks (defensive tackle B.J. Raji and defensive end Tyson Jackson). In meeting with the coaches, Orakpo said they think he can play strongside linebacker and then move to rush end on third downs, a role once filled by Marcus Washington — who also made the transition from a college defensive end.

But Orakpo knows in the NFC East that he must improve against the run.

“One thing I know is don’t think pass too much,” he said. “I’ve got to settle down and play the run first.”

Washington does not select again until the third round on Sunday.

The New York Jets traded their first-round pick to Cleveland as well as its second-round choice to get the fifth pick and select Sanchez. And they sent three players to the Browns: defensive end Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and defensive back Abram Elam.

Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said they talked to a couple teams about trading up higher, but felt the price was too high.

The first two picks in the draft went as planned: Detroit selected quarterback Matthew Stafford and St. Louis picked offensive tackle Jason Smith. But Kansas City threw the first curve into the first round by taking defensive end Tyson Jackson. Seattle opted for linebacker Aaron Curry.

Maryland’s raw, but talented, Darrius Heyward-Bey was probably the biggest surprise choice, going seventh to Oakland. He fits what the Raiders like: a big receiver who can run.