The Washington Redskins better hope their top pick, Brian Orakpo, succeeds because owner Dan Snyder has been a bust on Day 2 of the draft. The Redskins have only six second-day producers on the roster, including one starter, since Snyder began overseeing the draft in 2000. Returner Rock Cartwright is the only significant contributor. Safety Chris Horton is the sole starter.
Vice president Vinny Cerrato and Snyder like to point to their hits, but they’ve often been no-brainer picks. Chris Samuels was the third overall choice in 2000 and Sean Taylor the fifth in 2004. LaVar Arrington was a three-time Pro Bowler before injuries shortened the 2000 second overall selection’s career.
The third round is now part of the draft’s second day, and in past years the Redskins found guard Derrick Dockery (2003) and Chris Cooley (2004). But in drafts under Snyder, the fourth round on was deader than Six Flags’ stock. From 2000-05, only Cartwright produced. Coach Marty Schottenheimer oversaw 2001 selections with three second-day picks failing.
The Redskins have been marginally better over the past three years. Horton was the team’s 249th pick last year and became “The Predator” with a knack for big plays in earning a starting job. Safety Kareem Moore (180th) is also promising. Linebacker H.B. Blades (179th in 2007 ) has been an undersized spot starter. Safety Reed Doughty (173rd in 2006) briefly replaced Taylor before injured last season while defensive lineman Kedric Golston (196th) is a solid run-stopper.
The Redskins pick 80th (3rd), 150th (fifth), 186th (sixth) and 243rd (seventh) on Sunday. They need to emulate successful teams like the New York Giants, New England and Tennessee that restock with second-day picks. The third rounder can still focus on need, but the fifth through seventh picks are generally best player available.
Otto Graham found running back Larry Brown with the 191st pick in 1969. George Allen practically traded all his picks, but took offensive tackle George Starke (272nd) in 1971, receiver Frank Grant (332nd) in 1972 and running back Mike Thomas (108th) in 1975. Bobby Beathard was a whiz in finding Dexter Manley (119th), Charlie Brown (201st), Darryl Grant (231st) and Clint Didier (314th) in 1981 alone. Charley Casserly’s gems included Gus Frerotte (197th) in 1994 and Stephen Davis (102nd) in 1996).
There is value in the late rounds. The Redskins just need to stop finding fool’s gold.
Rick Snider has covered local
sports since 1978. Read more at
TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
