On the eve of the draft, no one outside NFL front offices know what’s going to happen. Among the insiders, only Al Davis knows how it will start.
What should Washington Redskins fans watch for as the day unfolds? Will the Oakland Raiders take JaMarcus Russell, or Calvin Johnson? The Redskins and a lot of other teams covet Johnson to the point of unnatural trade acts. If Oakland takes Johnson, the draft could be “normal.” But, if the Raiders take Russell, Detroit will field a lot of calls angling for their #2 slot. If Johnson is on the table at number two, the men of Ashburn will burn up the line to Matt Millen to package a deal of say, Shawn Springs and our number six for Detroit’s number two.
Detroit will counter with their number two for Springs, the number six and a 2008 draft choice. The Redskins should offer up Brandon Lloyd instead.
Will Brady Quinn be available after the fourth pick? If Cleveland (third) or Tampa Bay (fourth) don’t select him, he could draw interest from Minnesota (seventh) or Miami (ninth). Minnesota might chance the Redskins selecting a quarterback, but Miami would see the Vikings as a big risk. They could jump ahead by swapping their ninth pick for the Redskins’ sixth.
The Redskins would want chart value to make up the difference. That means Miami’s first, second and fifth/sixth round picks for the Redskins first round pick. That scenario would delight fans, if no one else.
In all likelihood, Quinn will be gone by the sixth pick. LaRon Landry is the next glamor guy that every team can use. The Redskins are a threat to take him. Can Houston (tenth) or San Francisco (eleventh) be enticed to trade up? By the value chart, the Redskins would ask for the 49ers’ first, third and fourth round picks in exchange for the sixth pick. Minor players could be thrown in the mix, just so long as it doesn’t involve the return of Jason Taylor.
Will Amobi Okoye be available in a trade down scenario? In the MVN Mock Draft, Amobi Okoye was the thirteenth selection when the Redskins bypassed him. In the real draft, it’s risky that Okoye is there after the tenth pick. Will the Redskins “trade” Okoye for Lance Briggs or Asante Samuel?
Washington could yet make another trademark move for a veteran. Jason LaCanfora reports in today’s Washington Post that the Redskins reopened discussions with Chicago for Briggs.
New England has ten picks in this draft. Packaging Samuel and one of their two first round picks for the Redskins’ number six pick gives the Patriots a shot at LaRon Landry. Both of these scenarios mean the Redskins would pick a veteran and pass on a rookie. Why would anyone think Washington would do that?
Would the Redskins use a late first round pick on a pass rusher, or best player still available? Ted Ginn, Jr., if still on the board, could be enticing. The Redskins, if on the ball, have thought through its trade down picks.
My ideal scenario? The Redskins forget about Briggs and Samuel. They trade down with Miami or Houston and select Amobi Okoye. By the way, is it me, or is every team interested in trading down this year? Not a ringing endorsement of the class of 2007.
Now my head hurts. I’ve got to rest for tomorrow.
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