I lied. A week or so ago; maybe 10 days I said the draft analysis stories were over. But then I talked to Russ Lande, for another blog topic, and I asked him about the Redskins’ draft. Considering he’s been a scout in the NFL, heads the Sporting News‘ draft coverage and runs GMjr.com, it was sort of a necessary question. And because he said things you’d probably like, why not put it out there even a few weeks after the draft? Yes, I’m a nice guy that way.
Hint: He really liked the Redskins draft. And he seems to have a soft spot in his heart for seventh-round NT Chris Neild.
Anyway, here’s what Lande had to say first about the draft and then on Neild:
“This might be the best draft they’ve had in five or 10 years. Ryan Kerrigan will be a tremendous player in their scheme. He’s a home run. Jarvis Jenkins, I love the pick. This kid will start for them. He’s a really good player. I love the pick of Leonard Hankerson. That was a home run pick in the third round; I thought he was the third best receiver in the draft. He’s a perfect fit for what they like. I’m not a huge Helu fan, but knowing what Shanahan wants in a running back he and Evan Royster fit perfectly. It makes sense to me. I think they got a steal in Aldrick Robinson; this kid is gonna play. He may start [eventually] as a slot receiver. He’s an explosive player and I love the guard Maurice Hurt. I like their draft.”
“Neild is the type that’s a classic Jim Burt type, super tough overachiever who is not real athletic. Those guys make it. He’ll play in this league and in the 3-4 he’ll play a long time. He’s a good player, he’s just not a good athlete. What you’ll see is a guy who never takes a play off. He has excellent hand use and competes every play like it’s the last he’s going to play. He gets pressure and makes tackles but it’s all through sheer effort and hustle; none of it is because, ‘I’m better than you.’ He’s not that gifted to whoop a guy’s [butt] to get to the quarterback.”
