Everything points to Julio Jones joining the Washington Redskins.
The top quarterbacks and pass rushers in the NFL Draft on April 28 will be gone. The Redskins need a big receiver. Even Todd McShay projects the Alabama playmaker will come to Washington.
And all of that means nothing.
Jones may indeed be the Redskins’ first-round pick, but the team’s draft board is a moving target. Maybe Auburn quarterback Cam Newton will be the choice if he’s still available, which is possible. Perhaps they could choose one of several standout pass-rushing ends. The pick even could be a linebacker or cornerback. And don’t even start about trading down scenarios.
The Redskins’ needs are so many that a half-dozen different players could be taken. Washington can use a quarterback, receiver, defensive end, nose tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback. There’s also need for a running back, guard and center in later rounds. Maybe the Redskins can trade their three seventh-rounders for a late fifth.
At least coach Mike Shanahan will make the selection instead of owner Dan Snyder looking down Mel Kiper’s draft sheet. Not that Shanahan has been the greatest draft evaluator — even last year’s offensive tackle Trent Williams at No. 4 hasn’t been validated yet. Still, at least the coach will want the pick, unlike when quarterback Patrick Ramsey was forced on Steve Spurrier.
The Redskins have flirted with taking a quarterback again, just like last season when they coveted Sam Bradford. They just couldn’t make a deal to pry him away from St. Louis, which smartly now has a franchise passer. This season looks much the same. At No. 10, the Redskins can’t get Blaine Gabbert, who doesn’t appear as good as Bradford. Maybe Newton will fall to Washington, but that’s doubtful. Passers always go higher than they should.
Quarterback could be the target with a second-round pick, though Drew Brees was the only one in the past decade who proved worthwhile and that was with his second team. Still, Shanahan believes passers bend to his system, not vice versa, so the second round isn’t the last train of prospects from the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
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The smart move for Washington is to take the best player available like they did in 2009, when Brian Orakpo fortunately fell to them at No. 13 and became an immediate impact player.
Jones is the popular mock draft pick for Washington largely because defensive linemen Nick Fairley, Marcell Dareus and Da’Quan Bowers and linebacker Von Miller will be gone. Maybe Washington could settle for defensive ends Robert Quinn or J.J. Watt, but they shouldn’t settle at No. 10. That’s still a playmaker pick.
Jones looks like the second coming of Michael Westbrook in terms of a big-body receiver. No one questioned Westbrook’s size and speed when he was chosen in 1995, just his temperament. Jones is the monstrous receiver the Redskins have needed for years. These guys are game-changers. Considering Santana Moss is a free agent, Washington desperately needs a No. 1 receiver.
Fortunately, the Redskins have options.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
