Chris Samuels‘ retirement doesn’t change the Redskins’ draft plans. They already knew he was going to retire. So the fact that he’ll now make it official does not — and should not — mean that they’ll only be looking at left tackle in the draft.
The problem is, there aren’t a lot of alternatives in free agency. And the other problem is, you have to wonder about how good the depth in the draft at this position really is when Maryland’s Bruce Campbell is consistently called a first-round pick.
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Campbell caused jaws to drop at the scouting combine with his 40-yard dash time (4.78 seconds) and his athleticism.
But his play? Those who saw him often were underwhelmed. And it has to concern teams if, as NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said, he did not receive one vote for the All-ACC team. Whether or not you think those awards mean anything, it certainly is telling if someone doesn’t get a vote.
The oft-debated question will be whether or not Washington should take a quarterback or tackle No. 4. If quarterback Sam Bradford checks out medically, then it’s easy to see the Redskins drafting him. They should not draft Jimmy Clausen No. 4. One scout told us he thought Clausen would measure much smaller than his 6-foot-3 at the combine. That did not happen, but questions persist about his leadership and demeanor. That is a red flag. None of those concerns apply to Bradford (only his shoulder worries NFL teams).
So if Bradford is not available, then the Redskins need to pick the best offensive tackle, probably Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung. Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Rutgers Anthony Davis and maybe even Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga are options, though Bulaga might project either to guard or right tackle.
Free agency won’t be much help. New Orleans’ Jammal Brown might be an option if the Saints keep Jermon Bushrod over him. Both are restricted; Brown missed last season with a hip injury. But, overall, elite left tackles do not become available.
Of course, the Redskins might devote more money toward signing defensive end Julius Peppers and/or running back Darren Sproles.
The Redskins ignored the offensive line for a few years. They can’t do that anymore.
