Year One Not Quite What Shaahan Wanted

Last year Mike Shanahan took over in Washington, and many thought that when they got Donovan McNabb that maybe they were going somewhere. Not so much, and they find themselves back in the top 10 of the draft. Shanahan opened up a big controversy with McNabb, and now he has those questions to answer, along with numerous other ones about his team, and up is not necessarily where they are heading, except maybe in their selection of next year's draft.

The Redskins do have a few positions figured out, on defense their secondary is all relatively young, and pretty good, despite what Michael Vick did to them on that one Monday night. Their linebackers are solid too, with three of the four having very productive year's in 2010. The defensive line needs a little work, and youth, so in terms of the defense that would be the place to look.

On offense it is really tough to find really where their strengths are. Their offensive line play was good, could have been better, though Trent Williams is going to be an absolute stud. Their receivers are a hodge podge of attributes, and not really consistent. They are at this point going to start Ryan Torrain, who we are unsure of what to expect of, and their quarterback situation is entirely way too confusing. The rock on the offense is still Chris Cooley though, who is as solid as they come, especially in Washington lately.

So pressing needs in Washington: figure out quarterback situation, get some receiver roles, figure out confidence in Torrain, and sure up that defensive line. They seem to have a lot more question marks than the teams selecting in front of them oddly enough. The quarterback situation has to be addressed, but this point in the draft with the talent pool where it is they just do not reach here. They may trade down if they are in line to do so and get a quarterback they like at a more relative selection. There are no running backs that are worth the 10th pick when they have talent available for other needs at this point in time. That then points to the defensive line and the wide receiver position.

When you are the Redskins at this pick and the positions you are looking at are wide receiver and defensive line, the choice should be easy. There have been two defensive ends taken, and two defensive tackles, so the top of those talent pools have already been plucked. You have both A.J. Green and Julio Jones sitting there, waiting to be selected, top of that talent pool, you have to pull that trigger, it fulfills a need. I am more partial to Jones than most people, his run times, hands, size, build all scream top talent in the NFL, and he has the motor and confidence to boot. Here though, Green will be their choice because Snyder loves the names and the prestige, and Green has been forecast as a top three talent. Though Jones might be better, fit what they need better, they will take Green because he is the number one rated at the position and still available for them at 10.

Predictions as of today for this pick:

Me: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Mel Kiper: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Todd McShay: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
NewNFLDraft.com: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama