The Washington Redskins passed on a quarterback to take a defensive end and convert him to a linebacker? Things sure have changed around Redskins Park, and that has to be a good thing.
In the surest sign owner Dan Snyder no longer runs the draft room, the Redskins bypassed quarterback Blaine Gabbert, traded down and took Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. Even more amazing, they took a player whose primary purpose isn’t to sell jerseys.
This never would have happened during the disastrous Vinny Cerrato-Snyder era. But if the Detroit Lions can rise once more after years of awful drafts, so can the Redskins. Washington filled a pass-rushing need, making veteran Brian Orakpo even better on the other side because he no longer will face double coverage with Kerrigan opposite him.
It looks like a season of Rex Grossman or John Beck, which can’t be good. But coach Mike Shanahan realized adding a pass rusher to the 31st-ranked defense would improve the Redskins far more than a rookie passer. As a result, Snyder won’t be peddling quarterback dreams for at least another season.
Thank goodness the adults are in charge once more.
Whether Kerrigan succeeds is secondary. The Redskins finally are drafting players based on need. It was a solid pick — not sexy — but the Redskins opted to sell Gabbert to Jacksonville to pick up a second-rounder and still filled a needed position. That’s how winners are made.
It was the most entertaining first round in NFL history. The recent move to 10 minutes for each pick turned it into a speed round. Eight picks went in the first hour — twice the old pace — and 15 in the opening 100 minutes.
Maybe the lockout helped teams focus. Clubs nearly sprinted to the podium, with Carolina waving its time to make Cam Newton the first pick immediately. Von Miller went moments later to Denver.
The big names kept coming with Julio Jones sixth to Atlanta, which overpaid to move up a whopping 21 slots in the hope the receiver is the final piece for a Super Bowl title. Tennessee then maybe stole Washington’s quarterback plan, taking Jake Locker at No. 8; the thought was the Redskins would be nuts to take him 10th.
Despite moving down to 16th, Washington’s choices were embarrassingly bountiful. They could have taken cornerback Prince Amukamara, who soon went to the New York Giants at No. 19. Washington will probably regret that oversight in coming years, but the Redskins needed help up front more, so Kerrigan it is.
The Redskins didn’t get a cornerstone player, but they did get better. That didn’t always happen in past years. In fact, it often didn’t happen in recent drafts.
Now can they find more help when the draft resumes Friday?
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
