| Left to Right: Thomas, Thompson, Jenkins, Rambo, Jamison |
Six weeks ago I wrote an article about how the salary cap penalty against the Redskins was unjust and has hampered our ability to compete to sign potential free agents. Which is true. However, Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan deserve a lot of credit for navigating that sinkhole and restructuring contracts, releasing luxury players (Lorenzo Alexander, DeAngelo Hall), then resigning Hall, Fred Davis and Tyler Polumbo to 1 year deals. We also kept our offensive line in tact, remember this O-line paved the way for a rookie running back to finish 2nd in rushing and our team to finish #1 in rushing in the NFL. Overall, we are a young talent-laden team and our draft has supplemented the "new" Redskins philosophy of building through the draft.The Redskins had 9 picks last year, even with the RG3 trade and 7 picks in 2013.
There has been a lot of analysis on the Redskins draft picks, most "experts" grades are a B- or C+. Pretty average. My grade is much higher because of the Redskins offseason additions and how each player potentially fits into this football team. Football speed is rarely in straight lines, but how fast a player changes directions and explodes into full speed and their read-react times (see Reed and Thompson). I give the Redskins is B+.
2013 Draft Class
| RD. | POS. | PLAYER | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 (51st pick) | CB | David Amerson | N.C. State |
| 3 (85) | TE | Jordan Reed | Florida |
| 4 (119) | S | Phillip Thomas | Fresno State |
| 5 (154) | RB | Chris Thompson | Florida State |
| 5 (162) | LB | Brandon Jenkins | Florida State |
| 6 (191) | S | Baccari Rambo | Georgia |
| 7 (228) | RB | Jawan Jamison | Rutgers |
Pick by Pick summary:
- David Amerson has size and speed, technique can be coached and we have a great secondary coach in Raheem Morris. Plus he had 18 interceptions in 2 years.
- Jordan Reed can present Aaron Hernandez type mismatches in the 'Joker Y' position and provides another weapon for RG3 to utilize. He has the ability to run after the catch and his lateral quickness is deceptive for a TE.
- Phillip Thomas is a great in the box safety and has a knack for forcing turnovers and getting sacks.
- Chris Thompson projects as a 3rd down back and although he is coming off an ACL injury, he is a burner. He has rare speed and elusiveness that make him extremely tough to catch in the open field.
- Brandon Jenkins is the sleeper in this class, he is a top-50 pick but suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot. With Orakpo suffering injuries the last 2 years and Rob Jackson suspended for the first 4 games, he has an opportunity to play significantly in his first year.
- Bacarri Rambo used to be named Goo Fudge and changed it. Seriously. He has had multiple off-the-field issues and many teams took him off their draft board, which is why he dropped to the 6th round. Good size and speed plus he is a ballhawk. Redskins suffered from poor play at safety this year, if him and/or Thomas become solid starters, this class goes from good to great.
- Jawan Jamison is a good fit for our scheme, but other than special teams, I'm not sure if he can make the team. He has Morris, Helu, Royster, and Thomas ahead of him on the depth chart. But with running backs you never know (A. Morris was a 6th round pick in 2012).
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
Marvin Burdette, LB (UAB) - Height: 5'9" Weight: 232lbs Speed: 4.7
Ricky Barnum, OG (Michigan) - Height: 6'2" Weight: 297lbs Speed: 5.56
Jason Thompson, WR (University of New Haven) - Height: 6'3" Weight: 190lbs Speed: 4.55
Jeremy Kimbrough, MLB (Appalachian State) - Height: 5'9" Weight: 235lbs Speed: 4.58
Xavier Nixon, OT (Florida) - Height: 6'6" Weight: 321lbs Speed: 5:23
Will Compton, LB (Nebraska) - Height: 6'1" Weight: 230lbs Speed: 4.63
Jacoby Ashworth, OL (Houston) - Height: 6'4" Weight: 305lbs Speed: 5.25
Kyle Wilborn, C (Troy) - Height: 6'3" Weight: 296lbs Speed: 5.26
Chip Reeves, WR (Troy) - Height: 5'11" Weight: 176lbs Speed: 4.60
Seth Thomas, CB (McNeese State) - Height: 5'8" Weight: 182lbs Speed: 4.73
Tevita Stevens, C (Utah) - Height: 6'1" Weight: 307lbs Speed: 5.31
Skye Dawson, WR (TCU) - Height: 5'9" Weight: 160lbs Speed: 4.4
Josh Jarboe, WR (Arkansas State) - Height: 6'3" Weight: 196lbs Speed: 4.55
Colby Walden, CB (Jacksonville) - Height: 5'9" Weight: 181lbs Speed: 4.64
Steve Greer, ILB (Virginia) - Height: 6'0" Weight: 231lbs Speed: 5.04
Emmanuel Ogbuehi, TE/FB (Georgia St.) - Height: 6'3" Weight: 235lbs Speed: 4.70
T'Sharvin Bell, CB (Auburn) - Height: 6'0" Weight: 187lbs Speed: 4.65
Nick Williams, WR (UConn) - Height: 5'9" Weight: 184lbs Speed: 4.62
However, I give our free agent signings an A-. WR’s Jason Thompson and Josh Jarboe, LB’s Will Compton and Jeremy Kimbrough, and OL’s Xavier Nixon, Kyle Wilborn and Jacoby Ashworth all offer intriguing possibilities. Especially Nixon (UF), who has the ability to start if he realizes his potential.
Our 2013 projected depth chart looks like this (w/out Tanard Jackson (S):
I anticipate that in 2014 we will draft an OL, TE, ILB to replace Fletcher. I believe we will sign an impact OL, WR, OLB and CB in plus a veteran backup QB in free agency where we will have around 47 million in salary cap space. I also believe we will release Merriweather, Fred Davis, DeAnglo Hall and trade Kirk Cousins for draft choice(s) to replace the 2014 1st round pick we gave up for RG3.
The future looks bright and 2014-2015 and beyond will be the time period the Redskins make a serious push for the Superbowl as RG3 matures and we add the right pieces around him plus marked improvement of our much maligned secondary. A realistic goal and natural progression for 2013-2014, with RG3 coming off a serious knee injury is to win the division and a playoff game.
Great Post! I think these additions will have a significant impact right away. I wouldn't be surprised on ILB Kimbrough made his way from practice team to making the team at some point during the year. Showed speed and killer instinct at his time at App. State
ReplyDeleteGreat post I agree with most of what you said a lot of good moves this off season for a team that's fighting cap penalty... The future is bright for the redskins
ReplyDeleteThx to both of you. There were so many skeptical experts who only look at the draft to analyze our team. If RG3 plays well and we shore up our secondary, we will be very very good this year. Only time will tell but the stability of the organization will lead to sustained success a la Pittsburgh, NE and GB. Allen/Shannahan should be commended for building this team through the draft.
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