While the Washington Redskins made next to no moves to bolster their roster with new talent on the open market, the club did a rock-solid job retaining its players over the last three weeks in 2013 NFL Free Agency. Let’s take a look at the Redskins’ updated team needs heading into the 2013 NFL Draft (in no particular order).
Photo Credit: Redskins.com
1. Defensive Back
Josh Wilson is a decent cornerback. The 5-9, 188-pound corner registered 74 tackles with 1.0 sack, two interceptions and three forced fumbles in 16 games (all starts) in his sixth NFL season (second with the Redskins) in 2012.
The team also added E.J. Biggers and brought back DeAngelo Hall in to the fold through free agency. Biggers, 25, collected his first sack and forced fumble (two total) with 51 tackles and an interception in 12 starts in his fourth season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year. Meanwhile, Hall, 29, had 95 tackles with 1.0 sack and four INTs in his ninth NFL season.
Safety is also a huge priority and the club could choose to take two early-to-mid round prospects to upgrade the position at both safety spots after finishing 30th against the pass last year.
Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson out of Connecticut is projected to land in the No. 51 spot by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
Other potential prospects on the Redskins’ radar in the second and third round could include Phillip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, Darius Slay, D.J. Swearinger, Bacarri Rambo, Jordan Poyer, B.W. Webb and David Amerson.
Expect the team to take at least two defensive backs through the draft to compete for starting jobs in 2013.
2. Linebacker
The Redskins looked good on the stats sheet against the run (ranked fifth in the league), but that had more to with being ravaged so much against the pass. Washington also finished the season 22nd in scoring and 28th in total yards.
London Fletcher registered 139 tackles with 3.0 sacks, five interceptions and one forced fumble in his 15th NFL season.
Though he continues to play at a high level and amazingly hasn’t missed a single start since his third year in 2000, Fletcher turns 38 next month and will need a replacement sooner or later. The future is also uncertain for Perry Riley and Keenan Robinson and Lorenzo Alexander has started just 13 contests in seven seasons with the ‘Skins.
Look for the team to try to find a new starting inside linebacker between the second and fourth round.
Kiper projects Washington to land Jonathan Bostic out of Florida with the No. 85 overall pick. Other potential targets of the Redskins could include A.J. Klein, Kevin Reddick, Kiko Alonso and Zaviar Gooden.
3. Offensive Line
Kirk Cousins proved his worth as a fourth round pick last year and there’s a chance that Pat White could revive his career behind RGIII in the Redskins’ fun-to-watch offense. And of course the redskins have to bolster the defense with several additions. But keeping Robert Griffin III healthy is ultimately the top priority and he needs better protection for that to happen.
Even if the addition of Tony Pashos or Jeremy Trueblood changes things on the right side of the line—which is uncertain—the team needs to add new talent and depth at left guard. Several solid options should be available between the second and fourth round, which could include Jordan Mills, Kyle Long, Justin Pugh, Terron Armstead and David Bakhtiari.
4. Wide Receiver
Adding another tool to work with will also help continue the development of the young star quarterback.
While the Redskins led the league in rushing and finishing fourth in scoring and fifth in total offense, the team averaged just 213.9 passing yards per game (20th in the NFL). RGIII and company clearly “spread the wealth” around well, as Joe Morgan led the ‘Skins with 48 receptions for 510 yards and two TDs, followed by Pierre Garcon with 44 receptions for 633 yards and four scores. Santana Moss, who turns 34 this summer, made 41 catches for 573 yards and eight TDs and Leonard Hankerson had a solid second season with 38 receptions for 543 yards and three touchdowns in 2012.
A healthy Fred Davis should help Griffin in his second season, but the team can’t bet on getting quite as much production out of the ground game again in 2013. That’s not to say the ‘Skins won’t get that much production again from Alfred Morris, but rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 TDs is tough enough to do in a single season, let alone doing it two years in a row.
Several solid options should be available in the early and middle rounds, as this year’s wide receiver class is chock-full of depth and talent. Da’Rick Rogers, Denard Robinson, Markus Wheaton, Stedman Bailey, Terrance Williams, Cobi Hamilton and Marquess Wilson could be potentially suiting up in burgundy and gold following this month’s the three-day festivities.
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- Buffalo Bills Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- New York Jets Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
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- San Diego Chargers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- Miami Dolphins Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
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- New Orleans Saints Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- St. Louis Rams Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- Pittsburgh Steelers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
- New York Giants Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs
Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GridironGrit to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!
