2011 draft produced lots of talent The analysis is the same, even if it’s a bit too soon. The Redskins drafted well; that’s what was said shortly after the draft, and there’s no reason after the first year to think otherwise. Yet even coach Mike Shanahan recently said it takes time to analyze a draft class fully — often two or three years.
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And though it’s still early, it’s tough to see this class somehow becoming a bad one. NFL evaluators consider a strong class one that produces three full-time starters. The Redskins have a chance to have just that, plus perhaps one more — not to mention several key reserves.
It’s hard to imagine all of these rookies making it next year, so their 2012 projection is based on their ceiling.
OLB Ryan Kerrigan
It’s rare for a rookie to play every snap in a season. Then consider that the rookie also had to switch positions with no real offseason to help him, and it’s a bit amazing what he was able to accomplish. Kerrigan did not have a Pro Bowl season, but he was a good rusher (7.5 sacks) who improved in coverage and showed he could make plays against the run. He typically was at his best against the run when he shot inside and would sometimes get sealed on the edge. As a rusher, he learned how to take better paths to the ball and to be explosive from a two-point stance rather than the three- and four-point stances he used as a college end. He was not the most fluid in coverage, but that’s a work in progress. Kerrigan understands how relentless he must be as a rusher. With improved coverage downfield, he will get more sacks because of his motor. He lacks elite speed but is athletic.
2012 » Continued starter, fringe Pro Bowl selection.
DE Jarvis Jenkins
The Redskins were convinced he would be their best linemen after watching him in training camp. Then he tore his right ACL, and his season ended before it began. The good news for Jenkins is that he will be 100 percent recovered long before training camp. He showed a greater ability to rush the passer than he did in college, but his technique vs. the run was inconsistent. He often played too upright, causing him to lose leverage.
2012 » Key linemen, potential starter. Eventually could be the best of this class.
WR Leonard Hankerson
All we know about Hankerson is that teammates raved about him in practice (DeAngelo Hall called him a “beast”), the coaches are convinced he can become a playmaker and he had one outstanding game. Hankerson was inconsistent using his body to shield defenders, but when he did he was much tougher to defend because of his long arms. He lacks burner speed, but when he uses his body well, it provides a good window for a quarterback. He should be fully recovered from the torn labrum in his right hip by April 1. Poor concentration led to numerous drops last summer. Will that change?
2012 » Starter.
RB Roy Helu
He provided a jolt of energy late in the season after Tim Hightower was hurt and Ryan Torain flopped. Helu consistently gained yards after contact and made defenders miss with his shiftiness, often preventing negative runs thanks to this skill. He has the best speed of the running backs, but there’s some question whether it only comes when he runs in a straight line, diminishing his ability to be more explosive. Helu has good hands and improved in pass protection. He is probably best when he touches the ball 15 to 20 times a game as durability could be an issue. Still, he ran well behind a makeshift line. If he returns to being a backup, he still must play a solid role in the running game.
2012 » No. 2 running back, third-down back.
S DeJon Gomes
Ideally, Gomes had plenty of chances to prove what he could do. And he showed that he can play well close to the line of scrimmage and struggled when he plays deep, something he rarely did in college. Gomes showed excellent instincts when he plays closer, but he did not arrive with the same pop as a LaRon Landry. Still, Gomes was in the right place to make plays. The coaches still aren’t sure what they have in Gomes.
2012 » Nickel safety.
WR Niles Paul
The poor man’s James Thrash — there are worse ways to be described. One coach called Paul the most impressive rookie last summer because of the many ways he can help. He was arguably the best blocking receiver on the team, though quarterbacks only threw five passes to him all year (he caught two). He rarely got much separation on his routes, but he’ll always be given chances because of his ability to contribute. That means he’ll have a chance to develop as a receiver. For now, he’s the sort of guy you want on your team: a tough special teamer with a great attitude.
2012 » Special teamer, No. 4 or 5 receiver.
RB Evan Royster
He had a surprising finish given where he started. Roy?ster has skill, but he showed that he could do more than just take up a roster spot. Once Royster got into a rhythm, he was solid, showing the ability to cut in a narrow space and almost always find the right holes. He just lacks breakaway speed to finish off long runs. But he moved the chains at Penn State and did so for the Redskins in two starts. He’s a good guy to have as a No. 3 running back because he also can block and catch the ball.
2012 » No. 3 running back.
WR Aldrick Robinson
He’s supposed to be a burner, but he did not show that in training camp, a function of not being comfortable with route-running. But that speed is why the Redskins wanted to keep him around. He also worked a lot on catching punts during the season.
2012 » Fighting for roster spot, No. 6 receiver, backup returner.
CB Brandyn Thompson
The coaches really liked him this summer and kept promoting him off the practice squad (only to cut him again) during the season. But he barely played, so it’s difficult to say how much he improved — not enough to overtake a struggling Kevin Barnes in the slot.
2012 » Special teamer, No. 5 cornerback.
OG Maurice Hurt
Ended up as a starter because of injuries and ineffective play by others. Hurt definitely improved in the last couple games — the Minnesota game was arguably his best. He showed some power on inside zone runs but was beaten inside too often in protection. His body is in need of an overhaul.
2012 » Backup who is more of a legitimate starting threat in 2013.
OLB Markus White
He spent the entire season on the roster but was inactive for every game. However, he flashed quite a bit in training camp practices because of his athleticism and strong hands. He’s worth developing.
2012 » Special teamer, backup linebacker.
NT Chris Neild
Neild was a surprise choice out of training camp to be Barry Cofield’s backup. But he showed flashes of being solid in that role. He had leverage issues early while trying to read too much in the backfield. Once he got past that, Neild was fine. He hustles and has fire but lacks athleticism to recover once he’s blocked out of a play. Looks like a career reserve; there are worse things to be.
2012 » Backup.
OT Willie Smith
A terrific story, but while he had some good moments in the final three games, he also showed plenty of bad. In truth, Smith is two years from being able to be considered a legitimate starter. He moves well but struggled with getting too upright and being able to anchor and staying balanced when he reacts to a move.
2012 » Backup.
