The 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone. The first two picks had been known for quite some time, but the rest of the draft was very interesting, with teams moving up and down in position to draft certain players they had targeted. Some moves were expected, but others were a surprise to both the fans and analysts. Some teams did a lot of moving, as they have done in years past, and some went against their norm and made trades to move up in the draft. But since this blog mainly deals with the Redskins, I will only look at their draft. I will have the NFL.com's analysis of the players, as well as my own thoughts on the pick.
Robert Griffin III
QB - Baylor
Round 1 - Pick 2 - Overall position 2
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Griffin is a talented quarterback who was built for the position. Although he is slightly undersized, his athletic ability lends well to him being an NFL-type quarterback who can make plays with his feet, extend plays, make the deep throw and lead a team down the field. He has some of the same natural talents that Cam Newton had in the 2011 draft, sans the size. Griffin overcomes a slight size deficiency by simply being so athletic that defenders rarely get a shot on him. It is apparent that Griffin, once a high school hurdler, is extremely explosive. He drops back with absolute ease. He is able to feel comfortable enough in the pocket to step into a throw in traffic or reset outside the pocket. At this point, unlike Luck, he can also move the ball down field with his feet. While many would argue that RG3 might be an athlete playing quarterback, his junior-year performance reaffirmed that he is simply an athletic quarterback, a guy who can make all the smart throws first and create later if necessary.
Weaknesses
Griffin has a slight size deficiency and could have some durability issues if he is hit often enough. He anticipates plays so well and is able to react to a point where he should be able to avoid big hits, even at the NFL level. His junior year was a test to see how well he could recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during his sophomore year, and he came back just as strong. Some might worry that he will look to run first at the next level, but this easily could be curbed through coaching and a good support system on the offense. He truly had one strong season in college, but playing in a talented Big 12 conference and winning the Heisman likely puts those concerns to rest, as well.
The Pick
The Redskins did trade a lot of their picks to move up to number two overall and get their franchise QB, but I don't think they overpaid. They were in real need of a franchise caliber QB, since they had not had any in that position for a VERY long time. So this move made a lot of sense, and it was the right thing to do. Specially since all the draft experts basically had Andrew Luck and RG3 as the top two QB's for this draft class, and quite possibly in a long time. It might take some time for RG3 to develop into the face and leader of the team, and to be able to raise his level of play to turn the team around, but frankly speaking, the Redskins were desperate for this change.
Josh Leribeus
G - SMU
Round 3, Pick 8, Overall 71
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Leribeus is a very good scheme and overall run blocker in SMU's offense. He is quick off the ball with his first step and almost always gets his hands on blocks early. He is an active player who will fight to sustain his blocks down field. He shows good effort and motor to stay with the play and is just as effective when working in space as a puller. Some small issues with his footwork and athletic ability show up when he tries to work to the second level, but overall he almost always finds a way to block his man.
Weaknesses
Leribeus is a bit slow and struggles athletically. This could be a problem at the next level, as he isn't a very strong or explosive blocker. He would be better served to work within a zone blocking scheme where he isn't expected to fully move defenders.
The Pick
If the QB position was the number one concern for the Redskins, offensive line had to be number two. They were not able to protect Rex Grossman or John Beck last year at all, and the Redskins have been lacking in the O-line department for a few years now. Although their main need is at the tackle position, making their interior line stronger is also a priority for them. At this point, any position on the O-line is a need for the Redskins, so this is a good pick.
Kirk Cousins
QB - Michigan St
Round 4, Pick 7, Overall 102
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Cousins has all the intangibles necessary for an NFL quarterback and has been a productive three-year starter. The fact that he was a three-year captain will be highly regarded by NFL general managers. He is an accurate and safe thrower who knows how to pick his spots. He is a good athlete who can make plays on the run, but is not going to run past many NFL defenders. A safe pick as a backup option.
Weaknesses
Cousins is widely considered to be a game manager type at the next level. He makes good decisions with the ball but has not shown he can make the flash plays to move the offense and win games for his team at the next level. He will need talent around him to succeed, which limits his value.
The Pick
Let the talks of QB controversy start....... Really? I do not understand why so many people, specially the 4-letter network, think by drafting a QB in the 4th round, the Redskins now have a QB controversy on their hands. This team is now RG3's team, and it will be until he is either injured, or shows that he cannot play at the NFL level. As long as one of those two scenario's is not true, there is no QB question in Washington. But this does raise an interesting point. With so many needs on offense, both at the line and at the WR position, the Redskins seem to have "wasted" a high pick with a 2nd QB. I look at it as one of two possibilities. First being that the Shannahan's have finally accepted the fact that Rex Grossman and John Beck are not great QB's, and so they needed to groom the backup to their star QB. Second possibility is they drafted Cousins since they thought he was a high draft position talent which had dropped down, and they can get a good deal in trading him, be it either in picks (which they traded away to get RG3) or in players, since they do have a lot of holes to fill. Either way, I am ok with the pick. Would I have liked to see another lineman, or maybe a DB or WR drafted at this position? Sure! But then again I am not an expert at these things.
Keenan Robinson
OLB - Texas
Round 4, Pick 24, Overall 119
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Robinson works well in space to position himself to make a play and is a quick mover off the snap. He is at his best when working toward the outside of offensive tackles and getting through to the backfield to run down ball carriers. He has the natural speed to play casually and run down players in space, and can pass set and cover tight ends with ease.
Weaknesses
Robinson can get lazy at times because his speed allows him to play effortlessly. He struggles when rushing the passer and looks stunned when an offensive lineman gets his hands on him. Once blocked, he usually stays that way. He needs to come forward and deliver the blow first himself.
The Pick
Having players like Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan on the team, one might question picking up another Outside LB with your fourth pick. But a closer look at Robinson answers the question. Orakpo and Kerrigan were D-linemen in college who were converted to OLB by the Redskins. This gives them a great advantage in rushing the QB, but it also means they have to cover TE's more often, and as it has been evident in the past two seasons, they are not that good at that aspect of being an LB. By bringing in a true OLB, who can rush the QB and cover TE's, due to his speed, the Redskins have made sure they have an option to go to when they need more coverage. No longer will the OLB position be a hinder when it comes to covering receivers. This was a very good pick in my opinion.
Adam Gettis
G - Iowa
Round 5, Pick 6, Overall 141
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Gettis is quick off the ball and uses his initial explosion as a tactic to overcome size deficiencies. He consistently gets into his man first when pass blocking and is a good overall blocker because of it. He wins with leverage, which is often the only way to gain an advantage on bigger foes. Gettis is very polished in his footwork, and he understands pad and helmet placement's importance in gaining a blocking advantage. His quick feet allow him to be a very mobile and versatile blocker.
Weaknesses
Gettis is very undersized, and this will force many teams to do a cross-examination of his play. Although he is a big-time player on film, some teams could have issues with drafting a lineman who is well under the average size in the NFL, where in 2011 the average was just more than 300 pounds. Aside from size, Gettis doesn't generate much of a push off the ball into his man and relies heavily on footwork to make effective blocks.
The Pick
With this pick the Redskins have brought depth to their line, although for now only at the interior positions. They still have not addressed the tackle spots in the draft. Gettis seems to fit the zone blocking scheme the Redskins are now running, with his speed, so he appears to be a good fit for the Redskins. I do not think Gettis will be competing for a starting position, but he should be able to fill in when needed, either in rotation to give rest to the starters, or if there are any injuries, which I am sure there will be. A rather good pick for the team, as this is a lineman.
Alfred Morris
RB - Florida Atlantic
Round 6, Pick 3, Overall 173
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Morris is a natural runner between the tackles. He is deceptively agile in short areas to avoid clean hits, and plays faster when tasked with finding daylight in a short area. He has a sense of urgency in the backfield. He is capable of blocking in pass protection at the next level.
Weaknesses
Morris doesn't have NFL speed and will need to define himself more as a runner if he wants to make enough of an impression in a camp. He has the natural ability within the tackles to be successful, but in the NFL seams and holes are harder to come by and arm tackles difficult to avoid. Morris will need to prove himself as a thumper early.
The Pick
Another somewhat questionable pick by the Redskins. With Roy Helu as the feature back, and quality backup Evan Royster, both very young and fresh, and Tim Hightower possibly coming back, the RB position was not a major need for the Redskins, one of only a few spots where they were ok. But Morris would be a good 3rd down passing back, since he appears to be very good in pass protection, which is something the current RB's have not been that great in.
Tom Compton
T - South Dakota
Round 6, Pick 23, Overall 193
NFL.com Analysis
Strengths
Compton is quick off the ball and can use angles to effectively get up field on linebackers. He can position and does a good job of keeping his man in front of him. He can get around the line to the second level effortlessly when pulling, and has a technically sound pass set, which shows his perfect footwork.
Weaknesses
Compton has limited experience against top-level competition (though he has faced Minnesota and Wisconsin in recent seasons) and could face an early learning curve. He is a good run-blocker but is far from explosive; he is more of a gentle mover and sustainer than a dominating force. As a pass blocker, he punches his hands but can get slightly off balance at times.
The Pick
Finally the Redskins drafted a tackle, bringing in youth and a little bit of depth at the spot. Compton seems to fit the zone blocking scheme as well, having a quick first few steps. He should be able to develop his skills while being in the backup position, and will get some game time experience, as the offensive line (as well as the defensive line) switch out frequently to rest the starters and keep them somewhat fresh for the end of games.
Richard Crawford
DB - SMU
Round 7, Pick 6, Overall 213
The Pick
The Redskins were in need of some young talent at the DB spot, and they were able to get some help with this pick. Although Crawford will not be seeing too much playing time, he can work on his skills while competing for a backup spot, and be able to help the team in a few years, as the more aging players come to the end of their careers. Crawford can also play both CB and S, so he is somewhat versatile in that regards, which is a plus for him.
Jordan Bernstine
CB - IOWA
Round 7, Pick 10, Overall 217
The Pick
Another DB/CB who will be competing for a backup spot, and add depth to the DB spots. Unlike Crawford, Bernstine is more of a pure CB, and will not be playing much safety, if any. There is a good chance that he will not make the main roster, and find a spot on the practice squad.
Along with the 9 players the Redskins drafted, they also picked up several players that were not drafting. Most of these players will either be competing for a practice squad spot, or building a tape of their skills for other teams to see. There might be one or two gems that the scouts had missed, but it is rare.
They are as follows :
Alabama WR Darius Hanks
Southern Miss WR Kelvin Bolden
Louisiana Tech RB Lennon Creer
Oklahoma State C Grant Garner
Cal ILB D.J. Holt
William and Mary DE Marcus Hyde
Alabama CB Phelon Jones
East Carolina WR Lance Lewis
Hawaii DT Vaughn Metaoga
Virginia CB Chase Minnifield
New Hampshire DE Brian McNalley
Michigan RB Michael Shaw
West Virginia S Eain Smith
