Thoughts on the Draft Picks Now That We've Had Time To Sleep On Them

So, the Draft has come and gone and the Redskins have fulfilled their quota.  It would have been nice to have a couple more picks for sure, but if Robert Griffin III works out even half as well as everyone seems to think he will, then it's absolutely worth it.

Leaving the RG3 draft pick aside, what do you think of the rest?  The Redskins caused a stir in the media by drafting another QB in Michigan State's Kirk Cousins.  Oh, the media is dying for a QB controversy to come out of this, but it's just not happening.  There is no controversy, let it go.

Unless Cousins comes to camp and looks like Sammy Baugh, Sonny Jurgensen, Joe Theisman and Joe Montana all rolled into one, he's a backup in Washington.  They will work to develop him and get him game-ready for use as future trade bait to pick up additional draft picks.  That's really all there is to it.  

Plus, replacing John Beck is always a smart move.  

Aside from the faux-QB-Controversy, we've got a few solid picks to look at here:

Josh LeRibeus - Offensive Lineman - SMU  He was graded poorly because they said he didn't have the athleticism needed to block in a man blocking scheme.  Well, luckily for him, Shanahan employs a zone-blocking scheme which even the so-called experts said he would excel in.  Well imagine that, Shanahan drafted a player that could play in his scheme.  Will miracles never cease?

We also acquired Keenan Robinson, Linebacker, Texas.  While he played outside LB in college, he's seen as a better fit inside at the pro level.  Well that's awesome.  With Perry Riley coming into his own and London Fletcher back as strong as ever, he'll get the opportunity to learn under one of the best in the business while getting his feet wet in his rookie year.  You can't discount the benefit of not being pressured to perform right out of the gate.  This is a very good pick.

Following that pick, you've got Adam Gettis, Guard, Iowa.  Another nice acquisition.  It never hurts to add youth when you're building depth at an often injured offensive line.  Keep in mind, zone blocking allows for smaller linemen to excel.

And next up, Alfred Morris, Running Back, Florida Atlantic.  Some may question the wisdom of picking another running back when you've got Hightower, Helu and Royster on the squad, but Hightower (as of this writing) isn't signed back to the team.  He's recently visited with the Patriots.  So, if Hightower isn't a lock, you need another back.  Morris is a good pass protecting back and that will help RG3 immensely if when he assumes the starting role.  Further, Morris' running style may even be suited to Fullback, which is a nice little bonus.

Tom Compton, Tackle, South Dakota.  Another wise move.  Picking Compton up later in the draft makes fiscal sense.  And with the offensive line age and history of injury, it never hurts to inject a little young blood into the competition.  Compton has the size and athleticism necessary to excel in the zone blocking system.

Richard Crawford, Safety, SMU.  Knowing that the team has serious needs in the defensive secondary, this is a prudent move.  Again, selecting him later in the draft keeps the cost down and they can evaluate him properly.  There is no driving need to get him on the field right away, and he may just be hungry enough to earn that starting spot later in the season.  The guy is an All Conference player, afterall.

Finally we have Jordan Bernstine, another defensive back, from Iowa.  Again, with the shallow pool of talent to fish from, it's just good strategy to load up on players when you absolutely have a need at that position.  Bernstine is a long shot at making the squad, but when there's big money on the line, you never know who's going to step up and grab that brass ring.

Overall, if I had to grade our draft this year, I'd give them a solid B+.  Needs were addressed, depth was addressed and there's only one real gamble taken.  That gamble?  RG3.  We all think he's got the right stuff, now he has to prove it.  And I for one, sincerely and desperately hope he can prove it.