ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper wanted to give the Redskins a better grade. Instead, he opted for a rather mediocre one when it came to the NFL Draft, a “C+.”
And the low grade wasn’t about the quarterback — “I could see why they wouldn’t take one. Let’s face it, they all have some issues,” Kiper said — as much as it was about the offensive line. The Redskins selected one offensive lineman, guard Maurice Hurt in the seventh round. He hardly projects to be a starter this year or perhaps any other year.
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The Redskins did take two players in the later rounds last year, and their improvement would offset the lack of taking a lineman in the middle rounds. But that means both Selvish Capers and Erik Cook must develop. Otherwise, the Redskins will need even more next year. It’s likely that they’ll land a free agent offensive lineman or two.
Still, Kiper didn’t like how they addressed it in the draft.
“The offensive line is not in good shape,” Kiper said. “If you put Joe Theismann in his prime behind this line, it will be difficult. No offensive linemen until the seventh round makes that a questionable position going into the year.”
But the rest of the draft? Not bad. He said taking Jarvis Jenkins with the 41st pick was a reach (though one general manager said it wasn’t). Kiper liked them taking linebacker Ryan Kerrigan in the first round and receiver Leonard Hankerson in the third. And he said sixth-round choice Aldrick Robinson “could be a steal.”
“The kid can fly,” Kiper said.
