The Washington Redskins took advantage of a draft that went deep at several position and players who slipped because of it. This in fact, could have been the best year to not have a first round draft pick.
The Redskins selected two players who led the Football Bowl Subdivision in interceptions over the past two seasons (David Amerson, 13 in 2011; Phillip Thomas, eight in 2012). Safety Bacarri Rambo was second in the FBS in interceptions in 2011 with eight.
Not enough can be said about the value of getting Thomas in the fourth and Rambo in the sixth. Thomas will most likely start from day 1. Rambo, who probably has the most epic name in the history of the league, has tremendous upside, especially as a late rounder, many, including myself, thought he was going to go much sooner. They both should be viewed as steals in this draft.
That along with the addition of Jordan Reed, a hybrid style tight end who can line up at wide receiver as well. Reed is essentially a 6-3 weapon that is just waiting for RG3 to utilize, he reminds me of the Patriots tight end, Aaron Hernandez. Don’t look now but the Niles Paul experiment may be over.
I think by now most Redskins know the worst keep secret about Mike Shanahan is that you can expect him to draft a runningback, at least one, every year.
Although this is the first time since 2003-05 a Mike Shanahan-coached team has selected five running backs in a three-year span (2011 – Roy Helu, Jr., Evan Royster; 2012 – Alfred Morris; 2013 – Chris Thompson, Jawan Jamison).
It was puzzling to see him take two this year, but Chris Thompson from Florida State will be able to help out on special teams rather fast and Jawan Jamison from Rutgers looks like a fit for Shanny’s zone rushing scheme. When it comes to drafting runningbacks I think Shanahan has earned the right to be trusted.
Mike Maycock had this to say about linebacker Brandon Jenkins from Florida State:
“This is a guy that at this point in the draft is value. Heavy production in the SEC as a pass-rush specialist. When you get in the sub package, this is a guy you can move around a little bit. He can really help you.”
With seven selections, the Redskins made at least seven picks for the ninth time since the institution of the seven-round draft in 1994. This is the first time in that time-frame in which the Redskins have picked at least seven in three consecutive years.
Mike Shanahan has the franchise moving in the right direction and filled some really big holes on the roster in this draft.
Shanahan had this to say after the conclusion of the draft:
“When you get done with the draft, you’re trying to look for some depth and some competition on your football team and I thought we were able to do that today,” Shanahan said. “I felt good about the guys that we did get. It gives guys a chance to compete against one another, and we’re a better football team today than we were yesterday, and I thought the draft went well.”
REDSKINS DRAFT
ROUND (PICK) PLAYER
2 (51) CB David Amerson North Carolina 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 Bacarri Rambo Georgia
7 (228) RB Jawan Jamison Rutgers
