With the 5th pick in the draft the Washington Redskins select...

[redskins5044]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

First off, Cooper is 6' 1"/211 lbs. Plenty of size.

As to your main point, however, I have said it before, passing on a guy you believe to be the BPA b/c he doesn't fit an immediate need is the definition of short term thinking and what has gotten this franchise into so much trouble in the past. If Scot McC thinks Cooper is the clear cut BPA at 5, he should take him. If - and only if - it's a toss-up to Scot McC as to who is the BPA between Cooper and Fowler/Beasley, sure, then need plays a part.

Yes. We have an immediate need for pass-rushers. Betting on a rookie - even the 5 pick - to resolve that need is pretty damn risky. Particularly when all of the prospective pass rushers are flawed in some way and there is no clear "I am the guy" at the position and, instead, three or four "I may be The Guy but I may be a bust" players at the position.
However, we also have a long term need for the best football players we can get at every position. Betting on finding one of those by picking the BPA - regardless of position - at the 5 pick is as close to a gimme as you can get in the draft process.

Build for the long term, become a solid team, then take some risks.

I agree...McC should take BPA, if he thinks that is Cooper and he is there at #5 then so be it. In the end it's all a crap shoot anyway, I think we should try the BPA this go around..Remember when we need WR's during the Vinny era and his first 3 picks that year were Devin Thomas, Kelly and Fred Davis didn't work out so well.