Former Redskins lineman Jon Jansen, speaking on the NFL Network, calls quarterback Washington’s biggest area of need.
“They’ve got to settle that quarterback situation,” says Jansen. “They’ve got to say what they are going to do with Donovan McNabb.” If McNabb is going to be gone, Jansen thinks Dan Snyder might move on a veteran like Carson Palmer, or draft a rookie early in the second round.
Interesting that Jansen said that Snyder, not Mike Shanahan, would make that move. I attribute that to force of habit, more than special insight of Washington’s current front office. Jansen left the building before Shanahan’s arrival. But, his slip hit my own nagging suspicion of Snyder’s true distance from football operations.
NFL-N analyst Warren Sapp called running back an equal need to quarterback, citing uncertainty about Ryan Torain and the offensive line.
Both Sapp and Jansen called skill positions the biggest draft need, with Sapp treating running back as a remedy for the line. The Redskins could use a right tackle, depending on their view of Jammal Brown. A team can pick up a serviceable guard in the second or third round. Scouts seem more impressed by defensive than offensive linemen as first round prospects in this year’s class.
Washington has to get zone blockers who fit Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme for the interior of the line. And they have to find a high-caliber replacement for center Casey Rabach. I don’t think that player is on the roster now.
Washington doesn’t have enough draft picks to plug all the holes and if they cannot snag a quarterback or wide-out Julio Jones, I suspect the ‘Skins will favor a defensive pass rusher with their early pick.
NFL-N analyst Michael Lombardi revealed that Washington is willing to trade out of their first round pick, 10th overall. Lombardi suggested Washington was aiming for more picks, but who knows? Maybe it was the Redskins that offered its first round pick to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb. Eagles head coach Andy Reid said the team received a first round trade offer for Kolb. Reid added that he saw no problem trading Kolb within the NFC East.
I have a better idea, Washington. Keep the first round pick. Trade McNabb to Philly for Kolb.
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