1. I loved the trade to move back; had a hunch they would do that all along. They added a pick in the second round and now are positioned well to maneuver some more and add more high-round players. Mike Shanahan said they could now package picks to move up in the second round; or they could somehow trade down, but add picks in the third and fourth round. But the key is that if they stand pat they could end up with two immediate starters and a potential QB of the future. I’m fine with that. The Redskins have enough players on their roster who were late-round types. They needed more guys drafted in the first few rounds (um, unlike 2008 of course).
2. Not sensing a lot of love for LB Ryan Kerrigan, but give the guy a chance. The word relentless is the one that I keep hearing attached to his name. That’s arguably the best word to see when describing a pass-rusher. He’s not going to overwhelm anyone with his athleticism, though it’s better than he’s been given credit for. Yes, a lot of his sacks came against lesser competition; that’s true of many players. How often would good teams double him? Probably a lot. Did talk to one scout about him before the draft who described him as, yes, relentless. After the pick, the scout texted, “Love him. Safe pick. Intangibles off the chart.” Had they selected Kerrigan at 10, I would have thought, “Could have gotten more from that pick.” But at 16 and after adding a second rounder, it was good positioning and a smart pick.
3. Now, how quickly can Kerrigan make the transition to a 3-4? That’s debatable. It’s not easy to learn how to play in space – Brian Orakpo still hasn’t mastered that area. So the Redskins might have two outside backers who struggle in this area. In fairness to Kerrigan, don’t know yet. There’s also a difference rushing from a two-point stance and a three-point stance. Though some try to shrug off that transition, Andre Carter admitted how tough it was. It’s much different when you’re trying to beat a guy right in front of you vs. when you’re lined up a couple yards away. He’ll have to learn new moves from this spot, too. So it won’t be easy.
4. I was not surprised that they didn’t take Blaine Gabbert at No. 10. A day before the draft, when rumors circulated about the Redskins moving up, one person who knows Mike Shanahan well said it wouldn’t happen. Didn’t like him. Guess that’s pretty clear, now, huh? I do like that, even though the Redskins need a young QB, they did not force the pick. It was stunning to see Christian Ponder get drafted at 12. Talked to a couple scouts who thought he would have been projected as a first-round pick all along had he not dealt with injuries this past season. Still.
5. Of the quarterbacks remaining, I’m intrigued by both Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick. My instinct is that Kaepernick has the higher ceiling, mainly because of his athleticism. But Dalton, one GM said earlier in the week, reminds him of Brian Griese whom Shanahan once drafted in Denver. But Dalton is a much better leader.
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