Redskins Round Table: Draft edition, part 2
In Round 1 of our Redskins Round Table: Draft edition, we talked about the Redskins draft with John Pappas of Redskins Confidential, Rich Tandler of Comcast Sportsnet Washington and Rick Snider of The Washington Examiner. We also asked the same questions of John Keim of The Washington Examiner, but his deadlines forced him to get back to us a bit later than the others. Because we value John's opinions on all Redskins matters, we're adding a second part of the draft edition. Read on.
1. Do you like the Trent Williams selection or not?
I preferred Russell Okung; he seemed to be more polished and came with less risk. However, I don't have a big issue with them taking Williams; a talented player at a position of need.
2. Is there anything else about the Redskins draft you particularly like or do not like?
I like that they took two more offensive linemen and a return specialist. They have failed miserably at developing young linemen in recent years and they lack any good young depth now. I don't have a huge problem with anything they did in the draft. The tight end pick was a little different, but he can play multiple spots and if he develops it gives them options in terms of trades. But he's a low-round pick and will take a couple years. I liked that they added multiple picks late; gives them a better chance to find a gem. But I wish they had been able to add a second- or third-round pick (by trading you know who). I can't fault them for not getting more for Jason Campbell. There just wasn't much of a market.
3. What is your opinion of the Jason Campbell trade?
Obviously Jason had to go. On the first day of the draft I was told by one GM who had interest in him that teams were going to wait until the Redskins released him. So for them to get something is good. But a fourth-rounder in 2012 is more like a 6th rounder this year. I like that Jason is going to a team where he'll have a clear chance to play -- and he's an upgrade for them. It's too bad he's in another dysfunctional situation. But the bottom line is, people around the NFL aren't that high on him. They consider him a work in progress.
4. Why was Albert Haynesworth not traded and do you think he still will be traded? If not, how will he fit in with management?
Sounds like he'll stick around. But he wasn't traded because the Redskins could not get full value for him. Tennessee wanted him on the cheap; the Titans lacked a second-round pick that Washington would have wanted to pull it off. At this point I anticipate them bringing Albert to camp. And what a fun time that will be, when he will gladly answer questions about playing in a new defense that requires selfless play from the linemen and for a coach who clearly was annoyed that he wasn't here for offseason work. Fun times indeed. But one thing Shanahan seems to be good at is warding off issues. And I'm guessing if he didn't think he could make it work with Albert, he would have settled for a lower pick.
5. Relative to their NFC East opponents, are the Redskins better, worse or about the same after the draft weekend?
It's hard to say how much better the Redskins got in the draft. I've heard mixed things on Williams, so there's no guarantee he'll pan out. With no second- or third-round picks, he'll define this draft. But their improvement came the day they traded for McNabb. Overall I think the other teams in the NFC East had decent drafts and probably were a little stronger than Washington. By how much? Who knows and obviously we have to wait a few years to really know. But Dallas got the best receiver and maybe even the best LB if Sean Lee stays healthy; talked to some people who really, really liked him. Philly got a solid pass rusher in Brandon Graham. Not sure I'm crazy about the Giants' first pick, but they had some decent picks, like MLB Phillip Dillard in the third round.
