Andre Smith..Would You Take Him At 13?

I believe that the Redskins are in the perfect position entering the draft. I think that Smith may not be there at 13 but I think you have to take him if he is there. He won the Outland trophy and has a mean streak. The scouts say he is a devastating run blocker. He is basically a bigger Chris Samuels. I know there are some question marks but when the most talented player at a premier position is available, you have to take him.

I have heard rumors that people think they need to trade down because of their cap situation. Schneed mentioned that they still have room under the cap so I think they should use this space to sign their draft picks. I would hate to have to pass on on Smith or Maualuga because they signed another guy who does not have their talent level or upside. Plus I think they should leave a little wiggle room so they can bring back Montgomery, Golston, possibly Daniels and Boston Pete.

I think they did an outstanding job in free agency. They locked up young players that are all in their prime while attacking all of their weaknesses. Signing Hall and keeping Rogers preserves one of the most talented secondaries in the league.

Signing Haynesworth (while expensive was necessary) gives them a premier defensive lineman who can create sacks and stop the run. The reason that he is that expensive is that no one else has his skill set.

Signing Dockery may have been the best move of all. They signed him below market rate and added size, youth and someone who knows the system. In fact this was a stroke of genius. They let him go when the market was overpaying guards and then locked him up for about half of what he was paid two years ago.

So now they need to work on depth and add a stud at 13 (which should be possible).
If they draft A Smith, Monroe, Smith, Oher or Maualuga at 13. I think the offseason is a huge success.

Great post. I think you may be right about A. Smith going even before 13; however it's impossible to tell right now. If he has an awesome work-out at Alabama's pro-day then I think he still goes top 10.

My biggest curiosity is whether we trade down and basically attempt to get starters at both RT and OLB in this draft or just stay at 13 and get what should really be a franchise player. Also if we stay at 13 and there's a choice between A. Smith, Oher, and Rey M it's really difficult to know what's best. We are badly aged at OT and need another franchise guy, but Rey looks to me like the most fascinating defensive prospect in the '09 draft and we're already thin at LB (and London looks to be wearing a bit). Really, really tough call.

Great post. I think you may be right about A. Smith going even before 13; however it's impossible to tell right now. If he has an awesome work-out at Alabama's pro-day then I think he still goes top 10.

My biggest curiosity is whether we trade down and basically attempt to get starters at both RT and OLB in this draft or just stay at 13 and get what should really be a franchise player. Also if we stay at 13 and there's a choice between A. Smith, Oher, and Rey M it's really difficult to know what's best. We are badly aged at OT and need another franchise guy, but Rey looks to me like the most fascinating defensive prospect in the '09 draft and we're already thin at LB (and London looks to be wearing a bit). Really, really tough call.

It is a tough call but I don't think you lose with Smith or Rey M. That is the good thing. We definitely need LB help but A. Smith would be an early X-mas present if available and they need young talent on the line. You never lose by aquiring talented linemen. I read that the LB class is pretty deep this year so hopefully Morocco Brown has found some decent players in the third round and beyond.

I am very excited about the draft this year.

The thing that worries me is that in this draft while deep at tackle there seems to be only a handful of guys that can both run block and protect well enough to play LT. I personally think Andre Smith and Michael Oher fit that bill perfectly but if the front office trades down then our chances of grabbing Smith probably goes out the window though I would love to think that he falls to where we trade down and we get a second teir linebacker in the second round. Plus I don't know how the front office would feel about a guy like Oher but judging from what they said about players last year they might consider him a reach.

Most of the tackle prospects that I see are pretty good pass blockers but only marginal run blockers so it'll depend on a combination of what Buges wants and weather the front office is going to value pass protection or run blocking but after seeing Heyer last year who might be a 3.5-4/5 in pass blocking and a 2/5 in run blocking I'd rather not get a guy thats mainly finesse.

If he is there...yes, if not then definitely Rey M.

The thing that worries me is that in this draft while deep at tackle there seems to be only a handful of guys that can both run block and protect well enough to play LT. I personally think Andre Smith and Michael Oher fit that bill perfectly but if the front office trades down then our chances of grabbing Smith probably goes out the window though I would love to think that he falls to where we trade down and we get a second teir linebacker in the second round. Plus I don't know how the front office would feel about a guy like Oher but judging from what they said about players last year they might consider him a reach.

Most of the tackle prospects that I see are pretty good pass blockers but only marginal run blockers so it'll depend on a combination of what Buges wants and weather the front office is going to value pass protection or run blocking but after seeing Heyer last year who might be a 3.5-4/5 in pass blocking and a 2/5 in run blocking I'd rather not get a guy thats mainly finesse.

I would be happy with any of the 4 top tackle prospects at 13. Another advantage for Washington is that one of those guys does not have to come here and be the lynchpin on the left side. I don't know how hard it is to start off as a right tackle if you are used to being a left tackle but I would think that it is easier to start your career on the right and move to left tackle down the road then to face Ware, Osi and Cole 30 times a game as a rookie.

If he is there...yes, if not then definitely Rey M.

Exactly

The thing that worries me is that in this draft while deep at tackle there seems to be only a handful of guys that can both run block and protect well enough to play LT. I personally think Andre Smith and Michael Oher fit that bill perfectly but if the front office trades down then our chances of grabbing Smith probably goes out the window though I would love to think that he falls to where we trade down and we get a second teir linebacker in the second round. Plus I don't know how the front office would feel about a guy like Oher but judging from what they said about players last year they might consider him a reach.

Most of the tackle prospects that I see are pretty good pass blockers but only marginal run blockers so it'll depend on a combination of what Buges wants and weather the front office is going to value pass protection or run blocking but after seeing Heyer last year who might be a 3.5-4/5 in pass blocking and a 2/5 in run blocking I'd rather not get a guy thats mainly finesse.

they might only be marginal run blockers, but our RT spot is a wasteland, so they'd still be a huge upgrade.

they might only be marginal run blockers, but our RT spot is a wasteland, so they'd still be a huge upgrade.

Agreed but ultimately we should look for top tackle talent to eventually replace Samuels. We may not draft this high again for a few years (hopefully) so it may be the wisest thing to draft a stud tackle now :)

Agreed but ultimately we should look for top tackle talent to eventually replace Samuels. We may not draft this high again for a few years (hopefully) so it may be the wisest thing to draft a stud tackle now :)

well, if the cba falls through, 2010 might be the last draft ever... we'll have to see. otherwise it'd just be NFL free agency followed by college free agency.

Now that Cassel is on the cheifs, it looks like they are gonna draft one of the big 4. There's no chance that Smith will be available at 13, heres why:
49ers need a tackle oppisite Staley.
Bengals need 1 to replace Andrews,
Detroit probobly takes one with their 1st pick,
Rams could use one to replce the aging Orlando Pace,
Seattle despretly needs one now that they lost Willis.
Jax needs one to replce Barnes.
Even the raiders could use one since Robert Gallery sucks.
I say we trade up to get one, next years 3rd or something, and move up about 5 spots with Green Bay or someone. We need one of these stud Tackles for the future. We can't count on 1 droping to us like smith.
Then draft a LB in the 3rd