2012 NFL Draft

[Surfah]

I was reading something this morning about what Cleveland might do now. The names Kyle Orton and Jason Campbell were mentioned. The options just weren't that good. The Redskins had to make this move...they weren't going to get Manning and it would be stupid to overdraft Tannehill at #6.

As one NFL GM put it: "When you have not had a franchise QB as long as the Redskins have, no price is too steep."

It's also worth noting that Cleveland was upping its offer to try to get in there and likely would've paid a similar price. It's a great move for the Redskins.

That's the thing. The Redskins haven't had a franchise QB since who? Theisman?

Personally, I think the Redskins think they had to make this trade based on the perception out there that you need an elite QB to win a championship. All I hear out of anyone anymore, especially in DC is that unless you have a Manning, Brady, Brees, or Rodgers you can't win. And I just don't buy that.

[Pelado]

Not sure. But mortgaging everything for a guy who isn't even the best QB in the draft seems a bit much.

If it were me I would have seen if anyone wanted the number 6 pick and move down in the draft where taking Tannehill wouldn't have been a reach. Maybe pick up a later round pick in the process where they could have addressed other needs. Or use your two top 40 picks to draft positional needs that will be anchors for a long time and address your QB situation through FA with maybe a Matt Flynn if you could get him.

But maybe you're right. Maybe there was no alternative. Maybe they were forced to make this deal because Peyton and Flynn said no thanks and Orton wasn't appealing enough.

There was no way Shanahan could get away with doing anything but get the best QB prospect possible in the draft. Two seasons ago he brought in a proven veteran - McNabb, and then had to jettison him. This last season, he tried getting by with Grossman and Beck, which proved not to work that well.

Moving up to get Luck is not possible. Getting RGIII was possible, and he may prove to be the better QB. He could be a great fit for Shanahan's bootleg offense. He's accurate, mobile, smart, and young. What more could you ask for?

[DrumNFeather]

That's the thing. The Redskins haven't had a franchise QB since who? Theisman?

Personally, I think the Redskins think they had to make this trade based on the perception out there that you need an elite QB to win a championship. All I hear out of anyone anymore, especially in DC is that unless you have a Manning, Brady, Brees, or Rodgers you can't win. And I just don't buy that.

I don't think it is as extreme as the local radio hacks believe it is, but the QB play in Washington for the last...let's even just say 10 seasons has been so sub-par. Even when they went to the playoffs it was with Mark Brunell one year, averaging the lowest points for a playoff team (I think ever) and Todd Collins, who caught lightening in a bottle.

I was watching the NFL network and Roddy White from Atlanta and Stevie Johnson from Buffalo were both on and were asked who they'd rather play with, Luck or RGIII and both said RGIII. I think he is the kind of player that is going to attract other players...and with (reportedly) close to 50 million in cap space, the Redskins have a real chance to bring in a good WR or two and some O-Line help/depth as well.

[Devildog]

Shanny is an overrated coach and a terrible GM.

All the success Shanahan ever had in the NFL came while he was coaching John Elway.

He realizes the value of having an elite quarterback in this league.

He mortgaged the franchise for this pick. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

[Pelado]

All the success Shanahan ever had in the NFL came while he was coaching John Elway.

He realizes the value of having an elite quarterback in this league.

He mortgaged the franchise for this pick. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

That's a little extreme. He's had success without Elway, though obviously no Super Bowl appearances.

[Devildog]

That's a little extreme. He's had success without Elway, though obviously no Super Bowl appearances.

You're right.

I'm a Tebow fan, because he finds a way to win. I have no idea how he does it... but he does.

I consider this year to have been successful for him... even though he got destroyed by Brady (twice). I'd still say "tough luck man, see ya around" to Tebow... if Manning made the choice to play in Denver.

The point about Shanahan knowing the value of a top tier quarterback is still true... even though I did overstate it.

[happyone]

This trade makes me thankful that all the other teams passed on Rogers and TT didn't have to mortgage the future for the next franchise QB in Green Bay

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I don't think it is as extreme as the local radio hacks believe it is, but the QB play in Washington for the last...let's even just say 10 seasons has been so sub-par. Even when they went to the playoffs it was with Mark Brunell one year, averaging the lowest points for a playoff team (I think ever) and Todd Collins, who caught lightening in a bottle.

I was watching the NFL network and Roddy White from Atlanta and Stevie Johnson from Buffalo were both on and were asked who they'd rather play with, Luck or RGIII and both said RGIII. I think he is the kind of player that is going to attract other players...and with (reportedly) close to 50 million in cap space, the Redskins have a real chance to bring in a good WR or two and some O-Line help/depth as well.

There are a couple really good free agent WRs. I don't think the Redskins can land Mike Wallace however because it would require that they give up a first round pick to the Steelers -- and I'm not sure if it has to be this year's pick, but even if it isn't, when do the Redskins have another first round draft pick?

This is why the 49ers are uniquely positioned to land Mike Wallace. They have plenty of cap space and their first round pick is #30 overall which is definitely worth giving up for Wallace (drafted in 2009 and just now beginning to enter his prime). In fact, I could see the Niners upping the ante to the point where the supposedly cap-strapped Steelers simply can't match and will just have to take the #30 overall pick. My worry of course is whether Alex Smith could actually get the ball to Mike Wallace. I'm not sure if New England has the cap space to land Mike Wallace, but I've heard they're going to be the other team that will be trying to land them. NE for all their offensive prowess could not stretch the field last year and they would love to have Wallace.

[DrumNFeather]

Now that Luck and RGIII are taken care of, teams are now scrambling for Ryan Tannehill. Teams interested include Cleveland, Miami, Kansas City, and Philadelphia. Which team will have the great fortune of over-drafting him?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Now that Luck and RGIII are taken care of, teams are now scrambling for Ryan Tannehill. Teams interested include Cleveland, Miami, Kansas City, and Philadelphia. Which team will have the great fortune of over-drafting him?

Mike Holmgren isn't going to reach for Tannehill at #4. He'll leave that to Miami or KC, probably Miami.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

The Niners are bringing in Robert Turbin for a visit. I don't think it would be too much of a reach to pick him with the 30th pick of the 3rd round, although he is projected as a 4-5 round pick. I fear that Gore might start wearing down, he's been a workhorse back and he's heading into his 8th season. Brandon Jacobs and Kendall Hunter don't strike me as guys that can carry the load if Gore goes down.

I hope the Niners copy the Packers philosophy and pick the best player at #30 in the 1st round. People have speculated that they'll pick a guard -- no thanks. They spent two first round draft picks on o-linemen a couple of years ago and they have a third first rounder from a few years back at LT. You can find free agent guards or quality guards in the later rounds.

The Niners have a few depth issues in a few spots on their defense. First Justin Smith is a great player, but he's also getting old though he hasn't shown it yet. Behind Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Isaac Sopoiaga, they don't have much. If there's a decent 3-4 DE or NT left in the late first round, that's who they need to pick. Finding quality guys at those positions is much more difficult than finding a quality guard. Second, Donte Whitner kind of sucks. He likes to make the big hit, but he also gives up the big play when the hit doesn't work. SS is kind of like guard, you can get guys in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds who are really good.

On offense, I think the Niners obviously need an every down RB. Thankfully these guys seem to grow on trees nowadays. Turbin in the late 3rd would be fine -- it would be great if he fell to them in the 4th. WR needs to be addressed, but they should only spend the #30 pick if someone falls. The problem is that teams seem to reach for WRs and so I think the pickings will be slim for the guys that are projected high. A lot of the prized WR free agents were guys picked after the 1st and even 2nd rounds (Mike Wallace, Josh Morgan). Everyone mocked the Raiders for picking Darius Heyward Bey a few years ago (and he indeed went to high), but he had 64 receptions for 975 yards last year. Michael Crabtree, by comparison, had more receptions and fewer yards -- 72 receptions and 874 yards. If Heyward Bey had the same number of receptions, he would have gone for 1100 yards last year. Jeremy Maclin, the other receiver picked high that year went for 63 receptions and 859 yards last year. The point is that Al Davis, even when he was dead back in 2009, still understood that vertical speed mattered more than the stats some of these guys were putting up in these system-oriented offenses in college (like at Texas Tech and Missouri). He, of course, reached for Heyward Bey, but he's turned out to probably being the best player of the three. Mike Wallace was also picked that same year in the 3rd round, he didn't put up anywhere close to the numbers Crabtree and Maclin achieved, but he also played in the anemic Ole Miss offense.

[DrumNFeather]

Sounds like Indianapolis might just talk themselves right into RGIII.

[BYUMizzou]

How do you manage to stay eligible to play football in college, and then only score a 4 on the Wonderlic test?

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...175829326.html

[dabrockster]

I thought this was the appropriate place for this since The Browns Draft is going to suck eggs. As usual..

[YOUTUBE]wGfLFmlU8zo&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/YOUTUBE]

[UtahDan]

Sounds like Indianapolis might just talk themselves right into RGIII.

RGIII declines the Colts request for a private work out:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...otball-insider