2015 Draft Options

There’s been plenty of talk over the last several weeks about the Redskins draft discussions.  Much as I’d rather herald my triumphant return by discussing the Caps and the imminent NHL playoffs, the Redskins have several options with the #5 pick in the draft this year.

Option #1: Hope Mariota Falls to You

Marcus Mariota has come in for a pre-draft visit, and you can bet new GM Scot McCloughan has to be thinking about getting his own quarterback to come into D.C.  By now, sports radio in this area has discussed this ad nauseum, and the thought of finding a new quarterback is tantalizing for fans.  After the three-headed monster last year, the Skins could use some new blood.

This is by far the worst realistic option for the team.  For one, it seems increasingly likely that Mariota won’t fall past the Titans at #2.  Even if he does, the Washington Redskins do not need another spread offense quarterback out of a system most successful in college.  Folks will point to his gaudy accuracy numbers and his ability to create with his feet.  Granted, those are wonderful attributes, but has a quarterback with those traits succeeded in the NFL over the past several years?  Many are probably tired of this logic, as they can point to Michael Vick’s first few years in the league as the ceiling and there’s always a thought that the game will change with more of that type of QB in the college ranks.  Russell Wilson comes up a lot here as well due to his more hybrid nature, despite his having played a pro system at Wisconsin and NC State.  One need only look at the development of Andrew Luck to see that the prototypical NFL passer model still works.  Mariota took five snaps under center last season, so I don’t think he makes any sense for the Jay Gruden pocket offense.

Option #2: Take the Edge Rusher

There are candidates for this role, most notably Dante Fowler from Florida, Vic Beasley from Clemson, and Shane Ray from Mizzou.  Randy Gregory out of Nebraska is also out there, but I think the team will shy away from him considering his marijuana-related past offenses, which the team has had a problem with over the past two seasons. 

These guys are all good, and if McCloughan were to take any of them, the likely Orakpo successor would be in town.  If it were me, I would take Ray due to his explosiveness and motor, but I know little about how to make sure you pick a guy like Von Miller rather than Shea McClellin, so you can easily ignore my suggestion as to specific players.  The best characteristic of this strategy is that McCloughan has talked often about taking the “best available player” regardless of positional need.  In this case, those might match up perfectly.

But the right way to go is the following option.

Option #3: Trade Down

Trading the pick makes the most sense.  The needs for this team are too legion not to do so.  Run through it with me: QB, all offensive linemen except left tackle, edge rusher, inside LB to backup or maybe replace Perry Riley, and safety.

That’s quite a list, and doesn’t really address what appears to be a morass in the making at cornerback behind Deangelo Hall.  Depth across the board needs to be improved, but especially on defense.  That is done best by stockpiling draft picks.

There is another reason to trade down a little deeper in the top 10.  One of the four edge rushers should be available.  Take a look at what the top 10 is likely to look like:

Bucs – QB

Titans – QB
Jags – DL (Leonard Williams)
Raiders – WR (Amari Cooper all day)
Redskins – DE/OLB
Jets – WR
Bears – WR/DL
Falcons – DL/OLB
Giants – OL
Rams – WR/DL

Let’s say the Rams want to get higher to pick Kevin White ahead of the Jets or Bears.  If they offered the tenth pick and their 3^rd round pick, we could still get one of the four rushers mentioned above.  In fact, it’s highly likely, since the Jets don’t need more DL help and the Bears seem set on filling the Brandon Marshall hole.

The rationale for trading down is a good one.  That’s just as true if Mariota falls to #5 and some team wanted him.

We can fill a need in the bottom part of the top 10, so I don’t see a pressing reason to hold onto the pick if the price is right.

Option #4: Do Something Stupid

An obligatory inclusion given the presence of Daniel Snyder…it’s always an option.  I think drafting Cooper would qualify as “something stupid,” as he can’t help anytime very soon.

The Redskins need to rebuild at almost every major position.  As such, the need has never been greater for a GM to assess the landscape and decide to stockpile draft picks.  If McCloughan’s scouting is half as good as advertised, the team will benefit from this strategy.