Two weeks ago, or perhaps even just a week, it was pretty clear that the Redskins were going to the defensive side of the ball with the 10th overall pick.
Today, it appears that the Redskins are going to have to reconsider their options.
The Washington Redskins need to land a quarterback in the 2011 draft. This is not a surprise to anyone reading this, but I’ve suggested in the past that the Redskins should remain patient, making good sound picks in the first two rounds whether or not they pick a quarterback, as good ones will be available later. The landscape, however, is changing. And it appears that if the Redskins like this quarterback class enough, we’ve reached the point where the Redskins may have to consider drafting a quarterback at no. 10 overall.
It is still widely accepted that Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are likely to be gone at no. 10 overall when the Redskins will select. But with Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder on a medioric rise, the Redskins will possibly only have their pick of the best remaining quarterbacks when they select at no. 10 overall, a trade down could now result in not being able to land the quarterback that the Redskins are locked into.
The Redskins have done their part to send smokescreens as to where their true interest lies. We know they like Gabbert (but the trade up rumor was likely hot air from the front office), but they also have demonstrated interest in Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Greg McElroy, Colin Kaepernick, Jake Locker, and most recently Ryan Mallett. The Mallett rumors were late and have the Redskins targeting Mallett at no. 10 “so he doesn’t get away.” I think those are fishy, as the Redskins can probably wait and grab Mallett in the second round.
To me, the evidence is starting to build in such a way where its becoming concievable (although unlikely) that the Redskins could go down beyond 41st overall to grab the QB. The outward interest in Kaepernick and Ricky Stanzi has either been secretive or legitimately weak. If the Redskins wanted to leverage their prime draft position in a trade down and wait on drafting a quarterback, they have the resources to do so.
But this would be out of character, to say the least, for the Shanahans. This is why I believe that trading is far more likely once the greatest need is satisified. That means: the Redskins will draft a quarterback at ten.
Do we know who that may be? I think it’s unlikely to be Ryan Mallett, though it wouldn’t shock me if Kyle Shanahan is pushing hard in his direction. I think, that the Redskins might end up being a landing point for one of the two fast rising prospects: Andy Dalton or Christian Ponder. And that player could be the Redskins pick at no. 10 overall.
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