Finally, Dan Snyder did nothing and good things happened.
It only took the Redskins owner a decade to learn the best moves are sometimes the ones you don’t make. Instead of overpaying once more to move up for a risky player, Snyder let the draft come to him and gained a player better than the 13th pick.
First-rounder Brian Orakpo may be the final piece for a playoff defense. The Redskins were ranked fourth last year, but lost cornerback Shawn Springs. Orakpo’s pass rush, with newly-acquired tackle Albert Haynesworth, should generate pressure and overcome any secondary shortcomings, not that the Redskins are weak there if healthy.
Orakpo was a top-10 pick, maybe top six, so the Redskins for once gained value instead of overpaying. Washington’s defense will keep the Redskins in every game no matter if the offense is sometimes stopped.
It was refreshing to see Snyder not pay whatever price was needed to move up for Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez. It would have cost two first-rounders, which is way too hefty for a quarterback with 16 college starts. Maybe Sanchez will be the next Joe Montana, but it’s more likely he’ll be an average Joe.
Snyder finally reached his limit — a price too hefty even for him. Congrats — now show more common sense and retire from the front office off your moral victory and hire a real general manager. This was a normal move by most front offices and we’re acting like it was inspired. That shows how poorly Snyder and Co. have botched past years.
The rest of the draft was nothing special. The Redskins didn’t have second and fourth rounders. Washington reached by taking Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, in the third round. He was a fair player at Maryland, but is an NFL backup at a deep position. The rest of the picks were so far down the chances that any will contribute are iffy. Washington traded down in the fifth because there just wasn’t anything strong left on the board. Ultimately, the Redskins probably gained one good player and little else.
The Redskins largely get one chance to help themselves in the draft annually, and for once Snyder didn’t mess it up. Addition through inertia. A conservative approach by Snyder has Washington in better position than past years of false hope.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected]
