Recap of Mid-Late Round Picks from 2003

Well, I don't think we should give up a whole lot of picks, but I think last year's jetskins were a great idea. Spend draft picks which are risky anyways on established young players. As long as we keep the cap under control, I'm fine with it. We need to use the draft some of course, but building through FA is definitly possible, especially with an aggressive talented staff and owner. Dan gets what he wants, and he has my thanks for trying to turn this team back into the amazing gem it once was!

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS.

Last year's FA moves were pretty good, but I just have a problem with trading picks two years in a row. I thought last year was pretty much a one time deal. I don't think we can afford to build a franchise without getting a base of home-grown cheap players we drafted.

Let's re-examine Ramseyfan's original list.
3rd rounder
WR Kelly Washington – Looks to be a solid, speedy #2 wideout in Cincy
TE Jason Witten – Will be a fantastic TE by his 2nd or 3rd season in Dallas
RB Musa Smith – Looks like a decent backup to Jamal Lewis
G Derrick Dockery – Could be a dominating lineman here in D.C.
CB Ricky Manning Jr. – Had a fantastic rookie season
RB Justin Fargas – Looked impressive in spot duty last season in Oakland
QB Chris Simms – Isn’t his father, but should be a good QB nonetheless

4th rounder
RB Quentin Griffin – Looked good when Portis went down last season
RB Lee Suggs – Looked very good in Green’s absence in Cleveland
DT Dan Klecko – I think all I need to say is wow.
CB Asante Samuel – Had a very good rookie season in New England
RB Dominic Davis – Became the tailback Houston needed so bad
RB Onterrio Smith – Played some good back-up duty in Minnesota
WR Brandon Lloyd – Made some monster circus catches in San Fran
CB Dennis Weathersby – Was a 1st or 2nd rounder before being shot

5th round
C Dan Koppen – Played awesome for the Pats at center.

6th round
Drew Henson – Don’t know what this will yield, but perhaps a 3rd rounder this draft?

I saw two full-time starters on that list, and one of them was a Redskin. I'd also argue that Ricky Manning Jr. didn't have a great year - he had a FANTASTIC playoffs, but was a nickel back who cracked the starting lineup not because of his skill, but the #2 CB's ineptitude. I don't disagree that we need to draft players that can fill our roster, but I don't think we need to exaggerate the performance of any recent draftees to make the point.

I stand by my list. Did I mean to say that those guys were like Champ Bailey, Randy Moss, Jon Jansen, etc.? No, not by any means. What I meant to note was that ALL of those guys were very good picks and great values deep into the draft. The point being - mid-to-late picks are really worth something. They give you depth at a bargain price (or washouts at a cheap price).

I've said it many times before, but I think coaching has a lot to do with mid to late round picks fulfilling and increasing their potential. That is what we have lacked for the past few years, but that is no longer a problem.

Well we can only hope with the coaching staff and front office can put their heads together and get some decent late round picks.