What to Do in the Draft

[hitmandm]

With The 3rd or 4th Pick:

Draft Calvin Johnson or Joe Thomas or trade down
1. CJ is better than anyone in the draft. He is a freak and will make us much better. I don't care what you say, we need a fast tall WR with hands. The dude is 6'5", 235 and runs in the 4.3 ish range. Braylon Edwards is 6'3" 211 and runs 4.45, and he was taken 3rd overall 2006. CJ just does not give us draft value in 2007, he gives us draft value for years.

2. Draft Joe Thomas. Very contoversial. This guy is 6'8 and is a prototype LT. Did hurt his knee, but if healthy, he will anchor one of the hardest spots to fill in football, OT. This is draft for the future, but how long do you think Jansen can continue? Sometimes it looks like he has 8 more years then the next 8 more games. He has been hurt each year for the past 3 years. You can get WRs, DEs, CBs later, but it is difficult to get a franchise LT/RT later. We may have to take this opportunity if we think Jansen has lost it.

Trade down 2 or 3 picks and pick up a second and a 4th pick.

At this spot, pick 5-7, we do what we would if we pick here normally.

Draft CJ is he falls, (won't happen) or draft Alan Branch.

1. Draft Alan Branch. At the top picks, we have to draft complete packages. The DEs here are small and lack technique and the CBs aren't that fast. Branch has size (6'6" 321) and has agility and technique. He is not as good a Sapp, but who is. Better yet, he does fill a need at DL for us.

If Branch is not here, we trade down.


The worst think to do here is to draft need over talent. We are a good team with a few holes to plug, but at the top of the draft, when you draft need over talent, you make mistakes.

[Troy Fakeman]

I can't wait for all of the people in here to blast you for making "another draft thread"...

Don't let it get to you...as every topic in this forum has already been discussed...at least thrice...

In response to your post, however, I will just say this...to all of those in the FRONT OFFICE AT REDSKINS PARK.....


DRAFT.....DRAFT.....DRAFT.....DRAFT....

You are the only Franchise that goes for free-agents to build a team...and it hasn't worked....and history has proven...that it will not work...

Gibbs will say things like "Where would we be without Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs"...

and I will say...

"Where will WE be...when those free-agents you overpaid for...get hurt...because they already have been in the league for 5+ years...and you have to substitute some donkey named Kenny Wright or Ade Jimoh?????"


Answer me that Gibbs...and I have every right to call out you, the owner, the team, the franchise, Vinny, everyone...

[Beaudry]

How about we wait until the season is over because we start speculating what to do with a 3rd or 4th round pick in APRIL?

[MRMADD]

How about we wait until the season is over because we start speculating what to do with a 3rd or 4th round pick in APRIL?

Is this some kind of bug? Or are you doing the ES version of the double reverse: responding to posts in a different thread?

[MRMADD]

With The 3rd or 4th Pick:

Draft Calvin Johnson or Joe Thomas or trade down
1. CJ is better than anyone in the draft. He is a freak and will make us much better. I don't care what you say, we need a fast tall WR with hands. The dude is 6'5", 235 and runs in the 4.3 ish range. Braylon Edwards is 6'3" 211 and runs 4.45, and he was taken 3rd overall 2006. CJ just does not give us draft value in 2007, he gives us draft value for years..

A first round wide receiver? What a great idea! That way we'll go three deep in receivers, but still have no pass rush for a team that just gave up almost 600 yards of offense.

I get that you don't draft for need in the first round -- but you don't draft stupid, either.

[str8jacket]

All this talk is nice, but besides a dominant pass rushing de in the first round i dont think the rest is relevant until some of our unproductive players are unloaded. Then we will know where these picks really need to be utilized.

[Troy Fakeman]

A first round wide receiver? What a great idea! That way we'll go three deep in receivers, but still have no pass rush for a team that just gave up almost 600 yards of offense.

I get that you don't draft for need in the first round -- but you don't draft stupid, either.



Great points...but drafting out of need, like Carlos Rogers, can result in frustration if the athlete doesn't produce...


If Calvin Johnson is there - you have to draft him...who cares what we 'currently have'....

Lloyd has more rap albums than TD catches...and we have no big body to go across the middle...

All of our WRs look like they weigh about 145...

Passing on CJ is like passing on Bush...

[hitmandm]

A first round wide receiver? What a great idea! That way we'll go three deep in receivers, but still have no pass rush for a team that just gave up almost 600 yards of offense.

I get that you don't draft for need in the first round -- but you don't draft stupid, either.

How did our defense do against the Saints and Philly? Pretty good. Take away our #1 CB, a starting DE and our starting MLB and go figure...the Rams beat up on us.

Almost every top draft pick for the past 3 years has been a Defensive player. It is stupid to consider the best WR to come out in years instead of tweener DEs who are smaller than Andre Carter to be irrational.

What you are implying, drafting need because the rams beat up on us with 30% of our starting D out is exactly what you wish to avoid...stupid.

[HoyaSkins28]

WE CANT TRADE DOWN!! We have nothing to trade with its all gone.

[scskin]

WE CANT TRADE DOWN!! We have nothing to trade with its all gone.
Dude,trading down means we will gain some picks. :doh:

[#98QBKiller]

With The 3rd or 4th Pick:

Draft Calvin Johnson or Joe Thomas or trade down
1. CJ is better than anyone in the draft. He is a freak and will make us much better. I don't care what you say, we need a fast tall WR with hands. The dude is 6'5", 235 and runs in the 4.3 ish range. Braylon Edwards is 6'3" 211 and runs 4.45, and he was taken 3rd overall 2006. CJ just does not give us draft value in 2007, he gives us draft value for years.

2. Draft Joe Thomas. Very contoversial. This guy is 6'8 and is a prototype LT. Did hurt his knee, but if healthy, he will anchor one of the hardest spots to fill in football, OT. This is draft for the future, but how long do you think Jansen can continue? Sometimes it looks like he has 8 more years then the next 8 more games. He has been hurt each year for the past 3 years. You can get WRs, DEs, CBs later, but it is difficult to get a franchise LT/RT later. We may have to take this opportunity if we think Jansen has lost it.

Trade down 2 or 3 picks and pick up a second and a 4th pick.

At this spot, pick 5-7, we do what we would if we pick here normally.

Draft CJ is he falls, (won't happen) or draft Alan Branch.

1. Draft Alan Branch. At the top picks, we have to draft complete packages. The DEs here are small and lack technique and the CBs aren't that fast. Branch has size (6'6" 321) and has agility and technique. He is not as good a Sapp, but who is. Better yet, he does fill a need at DL for us.

If Branch is not here, we trade down.


The worst think to do here is to draft need over talent. We are a good team with a few holes to plug, but at the top of the draft, when you draft need over talent, you make mistakes.



CJ is tempting but we need to pick up a monster DE to replace Philip Daniels. I think Branch can play DE and he would be a good choice with his size and all, but I also like Gaines Adams as a 1st round pick.

After that, we can address our MLB problem through free-agency and we can let Lemar and Rocky compete for the weakside spot.

Then I say pick up Assante Samuel to bolster our CB corps.

We can use the rest of our (few) draft picks for depth. :2cents:

[str8jacket]

Calvin Johnson was a great player, but the Clemson Tigers sure shut him down. That being said nobody is guaranteed in this league. But at least go after the position you need to fill, ala a dominant de. The wr group we have is fine if we would utilize them instead of pimping the screen pass. If we get Johnson than we have another high paid wr and our depth will suffer elsewhere. Which surely got our attention this season as the injuries inevitably mounted.

[thomasroane]

With The 3rd or 4th Pick:


Draft CJ is he falls, (won't happen) or draft Alan Branch.

1. Draft Alan Branch. At the top picks, we have to draft complete packages. The DEs here are small and lack technique and the CBs aren't that fast. Branch has size (6'6" 321) and has agility and technique. He is not as good a Sapp, but who is. Better yet, he does fill a need at DL for us.

If Branch is not here, we trade down.



That's my take as well. Time we stopped chasing all those 'sexy' positions and get back to what wins games. Bringing in the big uglies.

[str8jacket]

See i keep hearing all this talk about Branch, a dt if i am not mistaken. More cap problems-what to do with Cornelius Griffin. We need smart decisions and the right players just not the big name that is available. Thats why we are in the position we are in now. You know-3 starting running backs, 3 starting wrs, but lack of quality at corner, de, and other positions.

[hitmandm]

All this talk is nice, but besides a dominant pass rushing de in the first round i dont think the rest is relevant until some of our unproductive players are unloaded. Then we will know where these picks really need to be utilized.

That is true, but it comes down to: Do you think Gaines Adams is a bust? I do. But that doesn't mean I know. If Adams is not going to be a bust, we should absolutely 100% take him. If he can get us 8 sacks a year and not be a liability against the run, I say draft him.

Last year Mario Williams was the top pick, and probably shouldn't have been. MW has 5.5 sacks this year...not bad. The guy is 6'7" nd 291 lbs and still is fast. He is faster than Adams and has 30 pounds on him. Williams is stronger and can disengage an OT when locked on and play the run reasonably well. Adams lacks many of these from what Ive read.

A tweener DE that can't play the run, can't disengage when an OT gets him and has poor technique is not very encouraging to me, whether we need a DE or not. Moses is worse.

Im just saying, CJ will not only pan out, he will be the best WR to come out in years and there won't be another like him for a while.

Chad Johnson 6'1" 192
Everyone says TO is a beast: TO is 6'3" and 222. CJ is bigger and faster

I know we need Defense, but I don't need to spend a year hearing impatient Skins fans complain Adams can't play the run and has only 3 sacks. There is no way we pass on CJ for these DLineman unless we get a very nice trade package. I would take both of them (Adams or Moses) in the 9-12 range. They are just not good enough...theyre just the best this year....and that means draft bust.

[hitmandm]

See i keep hearing all this talk about Branch, a dt if i am not mistaken. More cap problems-what to do with Cornelius Griffin. We need smart decisions and the right players just not the big name that is available. Thats why we are in the position we are in now. You know-3 starting running backs, 3 starting wrs, but lack of quality at corner, de, and other positions.

I would agree with you if thought there were quality DEs at the top of this board. I don't. We will address CB in FA.

[hitmandm]

Calvin Johnson was a great player, but the Clemson Tigers sure shut him down. That being said nobody is guaranteed in this league. But at least go after the position you need to fill, ala a dominant de. The wr group we have is fine if we would utilize them instead of pimping the screen pass. If we get Johnson than we have another high paid wr and our depth will suffer elsewhere. Which surely got our attention this season as the injuries inevitably mounted.

They are the only team in his career that did that. Let me ask you, I agree we should get a dominant DE. But do you think there is one where we pick? Adams? Moses? No way. Smallish guys who cant disengage from an OT and can't play the run. Ill pass...pass to CJ.

[DieHardWSHfan]

See i keep hearing all this talk about Branch, a dt if i am not mistaken. More cap problems-what to do with Cornelius Griffin. We need smart decisions and the right players just not the big name that is available. Thats why we are in the position we are in now. You know-3 starting running backs, 3 starting wrs, but lack of quality at corner, de, and other positions.

The comparison to our WR corps and RB corps isn't well drawn. Both of those are young, where as out DT position is getting older, much older. Golston seems to be a serviceable rookie, but nothing more than that. Hopefully with an offseason more of training he'll get better. Salave'a is non-existant -i never hear his name called for anything these days. Griffin is still pretty good, but will only remain good for the next couple years. Drafting Alan Branch provides a stud DT with not only the technique but the physical attributes (6'6 at 331 pounds) to make a strong, dominant presence in the NFL. He has pro bowl written all over him. Gaines Adams would only provide ANOTHER speed rusher opposite of carter, making our line even weaker against the run. With the addition of Branch, teams will be forced to double team the beast, and in doing so, free up our other DL players to make plays. We better draft Alan Branch.

[hitmandm]

That's my take as well. Time we stopped chasing all those 'sexy' positions and get back to what wins games. Bringing in the big uglies.

We are talking about football...right :laugh:

[fdarugar]

Count me in the Calvin Johnson bandwagon. The guy is an elite prospect and probably the best WR to come out since Moss...he is a can't miss.

Our WR corps proved to be overrated and I think we need to cut ties with Lloyd and Patten at any cost. Addition by subtraction and add some youth. After Johnson I like Branch, I don't think Adam's is a G Will DE and Leon Hall would not contribute next year. For me it is Johnson/Branch or bust.

...on a final note our WR look good on paper, but games are played on grass.

[RedskinzOwnU]

Who to draft is going to be a tough decision. We're going to have a lot of fans on here split between CJ, Branch, and Adams. While I think most will want one of the latter two, it's clear that CJ may be the best prospect at his position among the top picks. The question is, can we justify drafting a wide receiver? He may be the best player available, but this team has such dire needs elsewhere. Lions took Mike Williams because they couldn't believe that he fell that far, they just had to take him!! Even if he wasn't a bust, it wouldn't have been a good move. One thing is for certain, we'll know our draft pick by this time next week.

[Drunken Master III]

The depth that we don't have is laughable. Every other team has some form of depth on their roster. Stop trading away draft picks!

[str8jacket]

But see you guys say all that but still didn't answer the question of what about Cornelius Griffin and what we will do with him, and or whatever wr has to get if we got CJ. I have no problem with a dt being drafted but how do you solve those problems. And Gaines Adams is the bomb and the first round is abundant with DE's for once.

[str8jacket]

Or we could do the whole trade down thing, if you guys do agree that Adams is a bust and pursue an end in free agency. But we are all on the same page of knowing that we need a pass rusher. Lets hope the people up top see that.

[hitmandm]

Who to draft is going to be a tough decision. We're going to have a lot of fans on here split between CJ, Branch, and Adams. While I think most will want one of the latter two, it's clear that CJ may be the best prospect at his position among the top picks. The question is, can we justify drafting a wide receiver? He may be the best player available, but this team has such dire needs elsewhere. Lions took Mike Williams because they couldn't believe that he fell that far, they just had to take him!! Even if he wasn't a bust, it wouldn't have been a good move. One thing is for certain, we'll know our draft pick by this time next week.

I think you pegged it down. While I don't think CJ is Mike Williams, who hit more buffets in his has year than football fields, it comes down to can we justify drafting a WR. If we can draft him, and don't, then we better get some picks out of it. A trade down that includes Branch and a 2nd rounder plus, would make me happy.

Ill trsut the coaching staff, but Adams and Moses are just not good enough here. If youre going to be a tweener...you had better be Super Fast. Adams 4.75 is not as fast as Mario Williams, and gives up 2 inches and 31 pounds. Mario Williams, 4.73 40 yrd dash time is nowhere close to D Freeney's 4.42. If Adams was 4.5 fast, Id say...draft him. But he is slow compared to other elite DEs and doesnt have the size or strength. Be either really big and fast or small and super fast, but dont be kinda big and kinda fast and expect to be in the top 10 picks. That is the DEs that Moses and Adams are.

[scskin]

But see you guys say all that but still didn't answer the question of what about Cornelius Griffin and what we will do with him, and or whatever wr has to get if we got CJ. I have no problem with a dt being drafted but how do you solve those problems. And Gaines Adams is the bomb and the first round is abundant with DE's for once.
What do you mean what do you do with Griffin. What does the Jags do with Henderson and Stroud? You play them both together. The rookie will take up the double team and allow Griff to go one on one. The DE's also benefit from the beef upfront. It also helps in the running game. If there were a Julius Pepper type DE availiable then go for it. Since there isn't, go with the big DT. It isn't the sexy pick, but it would probably be the best.

[dahottestbubu]

enough with that C.Johnson crap, we don't need him and we won't get him

The Raiders will draft him with the 2. overall pick, if we win against the G-Men we will end up with the 9 or 10 overall pick.

At that time Adams and Branch will be gone.

trade down, pick up a 2 rounder and draft the next best d-liner

[hitmandm]

enough with that C.Johnson crap, we don't need him and we won't get him

The Raiders will draft him with the 2. overall pick, if we win against the G-Men we will end up with the 9 or 10 overall pick.

At that time Adams and Branch will be gone.

trade down, pick up a 2 rounder and draft the next best d-liner

While it is debatable if we need him or not...I think we do...The Raiders have to get a QB in the draft, whether it is Quinn or a Vick trade.

Atlanta might draft him there, but you can bet Detroit will not.

We better play hard, get better and lose to the G men. Not having a chance at Branch would be disasterous.

[mistertim]

enough with that C.Johnson crap, we don't need him and we won't get him

The Raiders will draft him with the 2. overall pick, if we win against the G-Men we will end up with the 9 or 10 overall pick.

At that time Adams and Branch will be gone.

trade down, pick up a 2 rounder and draft the next best d-liner

Seriously. I was wondering the same thing. CJ will most likely be at the very least a top 5 if not a top 3 pick. It is very unlikely that we will be that high in the draft. Maybe a bit under there but not high enough to get him even if we wanted him so that sort of makes this whole thing a moot point doesn't it? I'm not trying to squash debate; just saying lets take a bit more of a realistic look at the draft from where we will likely be: between pick 5 and pick 9. We will have plenty of choices at that point (Branch and Adams will both probably be available) but barring something weird happening between now and the draft, CJ will not be one of them.

As far as the "Adams is too small/a tweener" debate, from what I have read he has a frame that can easily take more weight without losing any speed. If he put on another 10-15 lbs he would be around 6'5 275 which is a pretty decent size and would help him in the run game. Or if we want we could trade that high pick, get a couple extra ones, and pick up Woodley from Michigan. He is the same size as Dwight Freeney and is a great pass rusher (11 sacks so far I think this year) and is also great against the run (a bunch of tackles for loss). That being said, I don't think it is fair to label Adams a "bust" already. We could probably pick up Branch, Adams, or Woodley and get good production out of any of them in their first year. The main question I have regarding Branch is...what do we do about Phillip Daniels? He is 33 years old and isn't going to be around for much longer probably. Who will we have to put over on the other DE side? We don't have much depth there.

[hitmandm]

Seriously. I was wondering the same thing. CJ will most likely be at the very least a top 5 if not a top 3 pick. It is very unlikely that we will be that high in the draft. Maybe a bit under there but not high enough to get him even if we wanted him so that sort of makes this whole thing a moot point doesn't it? I'm not trying to squash debate; just saying lets take a bit more of a realistic look at the draft from where we will likely be: between pick 5 and pick 9. We will have plenty of choices at that point (Branch and Adams will both probably be available) but barring something weird happening between now and the draft, CJ will not be one of them.

As far as the "Adams is too small/a tweener" debate, from what I have read he has a frame that can easily take more weight without losing any speed. If he put on another 10-15 lbs he would be around 6'5 275 which is a pretty decent size and would help him in the run game. Or if we want we could trade that high pick, get a couple extra ones, and pick up Woodley from Michigan. He is the same size as Dwight Freeney and is a great pass rusher (11 sacks so far I think this year) and is also great against the run (a bunch of tackles for loss). That being said, I don't think it is fair to label Adams a "bust" already. We could probably pick up Branch, Adams, or Woodley and get good production out of any of them in their first year. The main question I have regarding Branch is...what do we do about Phillip Daniels? He is 33 years old and isn't going to be around for much longer probably. Who will we have to put over on the other DE side? We don't have much depth there.

There is a chance we are a top 3 pick so the CJ discussion is not moot. If we lose and Cleveland beats Houston, we have the 4th pick and CJ can fall there as well.

Im not saying Adams is a bust, but he has bust written on him. Woodley would be a good value pick later first round, but the big difference between Woodley and Freeney is that Woodley runs 4.8-4.9 and Freeney runs 4.42. That is not just combine numbers. That is what makes Freeney great.

I rather draft need later in the round than at the top. At the top, unless youre lucky and talent meets need, then you take best football player, or trade down.

[Burgold]

If you are right, it provides us an excellent opportunity to trade down. Left tackles are highly valued, so are powerful Defensive tackles. It's not a position we need, but others will, then trade down. For the forseeable future, Golston, Griffin and Montgomery should do. Our problems our at end, if the value isn't there that high, but others want our pick... trade down. The last thing we need to do is pick a guy who won't play. That's my difficulty with the wr.

We need linebackers, corners, defensive ends, Offensive line backups. When our number one pick comes up, if that pick demands to be an area of our strength, leverage it for a bunch o picks. That's what I would do anyway.

[RedskinzOwnU]

The only D-line player that I'm excited about is Branch. I really don't think we're set at DT. What happens when Golston AND Montgomery are in together? VERY VERY bad things. I love Griffin, but he gets injured a lot and he's getting old. I like Golston, but he can't shore up a D-line. We need to be ready to replace Griffin and the only man for the job is Branch. I'm not confident that Adams will improve our line. He may get a few more sacks than Daniels, but teams will run on him allllll dayyyyyyyyy looong. Not Worth It.

[Ingtar]

I think anyone who believes we will draft a WR is crazy. For all of the "he's a stud!" and "he is can't miss", there is no sure thing in the draft. How many "can't miss" prospects have, in fact, missed? We need depth on our lines. No flashy wide receiver is going to help us stop the run or keep running lanes open. If we were in position to take CJ, we could make a killing by trading down a bit. That is what we need to do if we are in that situation. We could use a good d-lineman or a solid MLB, but drafting any receiver is a complete waste of our draft pick. Matt Millen is not here, so hopefully we don't need to worry about that.

[str8jacket]

Still think that even if we get this Branch kid that you guys are so hung up on that we still need one other guy.

[SkinzFan007]

victor abiamiri is a guy to keep our eyes out on come draft time. great pass rusher from notre dame. i love trading down for a linebacker like willis and picking up some mid round picks. we need a second or third or even both.

i like the mid round (by that i mean 2nd and 3rd round guys) corners, de's, and inside linebackers a lot this year.

mid round corners:
Antoine Caison
Darelle Revis
Daymeion Hughes
Fred Bennett
Aaron Ross

mid round mlbs:
Buster Davis
HB Blades
Brandon Siler
Anthony Waters

mid round de's:
Adam Carriker
Anthony Spencer
Lamarr Woodley
Tim Crowder

[deejaydana]

we have more than "a few holes to plug" my friend. I say we drop down the board and get more picks, we are in desparate need of more talent, not just one big name.

[dent19]

Dude,trading down means we will gain some picks. :doh:

we will have at highest 20th after we trade places with Denver... where are we trading down to?

[SkinzFan007]

we will have at highest 20th after we trade places with Denver... where are we trading down to?

get your facts straight. thats not happening.

[kwitt]

This thread is based on us having the third or fourth pick....HUGE assumption. Let's wait til next week.

[scskin]

we will have at highest 20th after we trade places with Denver... where are we trading down to?
We do not have to trade down. We will have a pick somewhere between 3 and 10. If someone wants our pick bad enough they will have to give up a pick to do it.

[drowland]

If you are right, it provides us an excellent opportunity to trade down. Left tackles are highly valued, so are powerful Defensive tackles. It's not a position we need, but others will, then trade down. For the forseeable future, Golston, Griffin and Montgomery should do. Our problems our at end, if the value isn't there that high, but others want our pick... trade down. The last thing we need to do is pick a guy who won't play. That's my difficulty with the wr.

We need linebackers, corners, defensive ends, Offensive line backups. When our number one pick comes up, if that pick demands to be an area of our strength, leverage it for a bunch o picks. That's what I would do anyway.


DT is a need for this team. Griffin's fallen off this last year and is becoming less dependable with the injuries. Big Joe's about done. Golston and Montgomery have shown flashes, but we saw what happened when they were in there together.

And I wouldn't be upset if they got OT Joe Thomas either. Jansen and Samuels aren't what they use to be.

[Henry]

Trade down. Our defense has gotten old overnight. We need bodies. We need a DE, LB, CB and probably a S. Our offense is set. I wouldn't even look at that side of the ball in the draft this year.