The Washington Redskins improved through the draft. Unfortunately, so did the rest of the NFC East.
The Redskins managed to draft pretty much as well as the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. It’s a nice change from the past, when they clearly lost ground each April, but the big picture shows Washington mostly maintained.
Sure, it feels like a win after the Redskins drafted everything they needed but a quarterback. Saying veteran quarterback John Beck’s college senior stats were better than anyone in the draft is a silly comparison worthy of those working on Capitol Hill. Beck is turning 30 in August and has barely any experience, so he’s a one-year stopgap headed into a supposedly great draft for quarterbacks in 2012. Don’t sell Beck as better than Blaine Gabbert and expect fans not to groan.
Washington gained great value in its picks both in quality and quantity. Leonard Hankerson was a steal in the third round, the tall receiver the team desperately needed, and fourth-rounder Roy Helu could be the starting running back.
Overall, Washington gets a “B” for its draft.
The trouble is the New York Giants may have earned an “A.” When Washington opted for defensive end Ryan Kerrigan with the 16th pick, it allowed cornerback Prince Amukamara to slip to the Giants at No. 19. Ouch — the Redskins are going to regret that in coming years.
Defensive tackle Marvin Austin was a steal for New York in the second round even though he was forced to sit out last season at North Carolina. He’s another impact player. New York even took Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott in the seventh round, and he can play. Don’t be surprised to see him make the team.
Dallas helped its troubled offensive line with tackle Tyron Smith. Maybe you want more from the ninth overall pick, but there’s nothing wrong with solving a line problem. Linebacker Bruce Carter is a three-down player, and Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray is worth watching. Overall, Dallas receives a “C +.”
Philadelphia may have had its worst draft in years, but it was still decent. The Eagles filled holes in the offensive line with first-rounder Danny Watkins and later at defensive back with Jaiquawn Jarrett. The Eagles usually find help in the mid-rounds, though it doesn’t seem so obvious this year. Give Philadelphia a “C” for its draft.
Around the NFC, Arizona, Chicago, Minnesota, New Orleans, St. Louis and Tampa Bay — all possible teams competing with Washington for wild card slots — draw roughly a “B” for their drafts, so the Redskins didn’t make up ground there, either. New Orleans especially improved with running back Mark Ingram and defensive end Cameron Jordan, both of whom the Redskins bypassed.
If Washington gets four heavy contributors from its draft, which is possible, then it was a very good year. But that’s based on the low standards the Redskins created by a bad decade of drafts. Opponents show that good drafts should be the norm.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
