Redskins Draft Needs: Secondary

I love the draft, including the combine, pro days and interviews, so why not share my opinions! I will breakdown each of my favorite players in our positions of need to give Redskins fans (and haters) a chance to see potential targets. 

The Redskins have seven selections in the draft. The Redskins need upgrades at corner, safety, right tackle and pass rush in that order. The Rams own their first pick, the 22nd overall, due to the Griffin trade last year. The exact placement of their second-round pick remains to be determined. They would be slotted at 54th under normal circumstances. However, that will improve by at least one slot because the Browns picked wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round in last year’s supplemental draft so their forfeit their second rounder in this year’s regular draft.

And, as of now, the Saints are supposed to lose their second-round pick as part of their penalties for the bounty scandal. However, that penalty could be reduced to a lower pick or picks. So as of right now the Redskins have the 52nd pick but that would be bumped up to the 53rd if the Saints get their second-round pick back. The Redskins also have picks in the third round (about 32 picks after their second-round pick), the fourth, two in the fifth, the sixth, and seventh. The extra fifth is from the Patriots as a result of the Albert Haynesworth trade.

First order of business, either cut or negotiate a discounted contract for Deangelo Hall to remain on the team. The Redskins should be actively looking at a possible upgrade through the draft or free agency. He just isn't worth keeping at 7.5 million annually (and since his contract isn't guaranteed there is no penalty for cutting him). Josh Wilson can stay as the number 2 or cover the slot in nickel and dime packages where he will be less of a liability. With no chance of getting Trufant, Millner or Rhodes as they have established themselves as elite first round talents, we have to look at next best available for our second round selection. 

Player Highlight: David Amerson - David Amerson has impressive size, speed and ball skills, he led the FBS with 13 interceptions in 2011! In addition, he isn't afraid to mix it up with an average of 59 tackles over the course of the last 3 seasons. This would be a value pick many expected Amerson to go in the first round but due to the depth of secondary talent available this year he is the odd-man out.

David Amerson
NC State – Junior
Height:		6’1"	Weight:	205
Projected 40 time:			4.46
Combine 40 time:			4.44
Bench:		15	Vertical:	35.5"
Year	Pass Broken up		INTs		Tackles
2012	12		5		61
2011	5		13		59
2010			0		57

We have two safties under contract but one is injury prone (Brandon Merriweather) and Tanard Jackson who is serving a drug suspension.

Player Highlight: Tyron Mathieu - Affectionately known as the 'honey badger' this represents a high risk, high reward pick ( a la Randy Moss) except he may slip deep into the 5th-7th round. This kid is the best pure free safety (FS) in a deep draft for secondary personnel and he proved that during on-field drills at the combine. The bad? His height, average speed, bench press (couldn't do 5 reps at 225) and his baggage. But like a dilapidated house in a promising neighborhood, with some close monitoring he has major upside (think Dez Bryant) because he was a ball hawk (a disruptive force) at LSU and was considered a potential 1st round pick before his dismissal. 

There are similar cases such as Richard Sherman, widely considered the best cornerback in the NFL right now was selected by Seattle in the 5th round. Note: Ed Reed ran a 4.57 at the 2002 NFL Combine and was the 24th selection in the first round.

Tyrann Mathieu
LSU – Junior
Height:		5’9"	Weight:	186
Projected 40 time:			4.42
Combine 40 time:			4.50
Bench:		4	Vertical:	34"
Year	Pass Broken up		INTs		Tackles
2012
2011	9		2		76
2010	7		2		57