And Cerrato did, drafting the former University of Kentucky defensive end in the third round of the supplemental draft Thursday. It means the Redskins will not have a third-round pick in 2010. However, they were convinced that had he returned to college, Jarmon likely would have been a second-round choice.

Also, according to an NFL source, five other teams put fourth-round claims on Jarmon. Had the Redskins waited another round, they would not have landed him.

Jarmon was suspended for one year by the NCAA earlier this spring after testing positive for a banned diuretic supplement. Jarmon was taking the over-the-counter dietary supplement while recovering from a shoulder injury. He was not allowed to lift weights at the time and feared gaining too much weight.

“That was one of the lowest points, if not the lowest, of my life,” Jarmon said when he learned of the ruling.

He said he told every team he talked to what had happened. The Redskins said his story meshed with what they heard from doctors and others.

“We thought he fit perfectly with our guys,” Cerrato said.

Jarmon, who already has graduated with a degree in political science, gives the Redskins something they need: a young defensive left end. With Phillip Daniels, 36, and Renaldo Wynn, 34, they need a long-term replacement.

At 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, he has good size. However, the Redskins want him to get much stronger. Cerrato said he anticipates Jarmon helping on special teams because of his speed (4.79 seconds in the 40-yard dash during his July 8 workout).

He posted 17.5 sacks in 31 career starts. He had nine sacks in 13 starts in 2007.

“I’m glad my dream has come true,” Jarmon said. “[Cerrato] responded in the ultimate way to my text by drafting me.”

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