The drama ended a year ago, when the Redskins shipped their first-round pick to Denver. A fourth-rounder went there as well. And the third rounder is in San Francisco, leaving Washington with little to do on the first day of the NFL Draft.
They’ll have plenty to do on the second day. If they use their six second-day picks correctly, they could unearth another gem — the way they did in the 1980s. Or they could find duds — as they have lately.
Not that the Redskins needed those high picks anyway. They filled their needs by signing free agents.
“What you don’t want is to be in the draft in a real panic situation where you say, ‘We have to get this position,’ ” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “We prefer to take the best player.”
Gibbs said the Redskins aren’t seriously considering a trade to move into the first round, though trading higher into the second round is a possibility.
Unlike past years, Washington’s starting needs are mostly set. The Redskins, though, would like to find an outside linebacker; a tight end; and depth along the offensive line and perhaps a corner.
The second day is about future contributors. But only four of the 21 players drafted inrounds four through seven in 2000-05 remain on the roster.
In Gibbs’ first era — when Bobby Beathard and Charley Casserly ran the drafts — the Redskins succeeded with low-round picks such as Dexter Manley (fifth round, 1981), Raleigh McKenzie (11th, 1985), Mark Schlereth (10th, 1989), Mark Rypien (sixth, 1986) and Brian Mitchell (fifth, 1990).
The Redskins have just 14 former picks on their roster.
“Some teams are aggressive like we are in free agency,” Gibbs said. “Some teams choose not to be. Look at Pittsburgh, that’s a scheme that works. They [emphasize] draft choices. It remains to be seen how we end up doing.”
What: 2006
NFL Draft
When:
Tomorrow,
12 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m.
Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York, N.Y.
TV: Tomorrow, 12-8 p.m.,
ESPN, 8-10, ESPN2;
Sunday, ESPN
REDSKINS DRAFT PICKS
Round 2: 53rd overall
Round 5: 153rd overall
Round 6: 173rd overall
Round 6: 189th overall
Round 6: 196th overall
Round 7: 230th overall
Round 7: 250th overall
