I know one of last year’s “SportsTalk Shop” blogs that drew the most feedback on my part was my analysis following the NFL draft, with thoughts on both the Eagles and Redskins’ selections. I hope I’m up to the challenge again this year as we take a look at both teams’ efforts last weekend.
REDSKINS: 1st ROUND
There were a couple ways the Redskins could have gone. There was a plethora of defensive lineman/linebackers available (including several from Alabama) that Washington could have selected to fill some holes. They could have moved down to accumulate talent. Or, they could have gone for a flashing wide receiving name like Laquon Treadwell to groom to potentially replace DeShawn Jackson after his contract expires at the end of 2016.
However, they went with a less flashy, but probably better all-around receiver in Josh Doctson from TCU. While Treadwell and Will Fuller received more pre-draft hype while a few national mock drafts didn’t even have Doctson going in the first round, many people I talked with thought Doctson was the best receiver in the NFL Draft. The multi-sport athlete has overcome some adversity during his high school and college careers (one story includes his mother reportedly wanted him to quite football after breaking his collar bone in a scrimmage when he was 16 years old). With multiple picks remaining and several more defensive options seemingly available for the later rounds (and the fact Washington actually traded down a spot to get him), I’d give the ‘Skins an…
GRADE: A
EAGLES: 1ST ROUND
Philadelphia followed the Rams by making a major move up to secure a “franchise” quarterback in Carson Wentz. While a final, definitive decision on whether this was a good move or not won’t be known for a while, you had to give Vice President of Football Operation Howie Roseman credit for being aggressive and, at least on the surface, making an apparent good deal.
Wentz rated high in all the off-season activities, camps, interviews, et al, and even though he did not play for a major Division I-A school, it seems like they rolled the dice on a quality prospect. Wentz has the physical skills, a good head on his shoulders and, if Sam Bradford returns to the team, the time to be able to get up to speed of the pro game. If he turns out to be two-thirds of what some Eagles fans are currently dreaming about…?
GRADE: A- (they gave up a huge amount in draft picks with a number of holes yet to fill)
REDSKINS: 2nd & 3rd ROUNDS
Washington needed help at corner and on the outside linebacker positions, and grabbed two excellent players in hybrid LB Su’a Cravens (USC) and DB Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech).
Fuller is a great young corner with speed who could make an impact with the ‘Skins this fall. I remember watching him two years ago and thought then he could be a later first-round option in the draft (before he was injured last year). I really believed the Eagles could have really benefitted by selecting the DMV native and Good Counsel alum and, quite frankly, I’m shocked they didn’t select him, which makes this an even better pick for their division rivals.
To be completely honest, I had to go to NFL.com to look up more details on Cravens and don’t recall even watching him play on TV, but what I did find online did impress me. He comes from a long pro-football lineage and there’s nothing I found to suggest he wasn’t a very solid pick at the 53rd spot.
GRADE: A
EAGLES: 2nd & 3rd ROUNDS
Coming into the draft, I felt that the Eagles needed to add at least one higher-end cornerback or safety. After all, they probably need at least two, if not three, quality defensive backs if this team seriously wants to contend this fall–something they apparently think they’re capable of, since they committed $36 million to non-quarterbacks-of-the-future. After not getting enough depth via free agency (nice job picking up Josh Norman, Washington, by the way), the Eagles clearly had to select someone to help the latter-half of their defensive with their next couple picks after Wentz.
Granted, Chip Kelly’s bone-headed move (or one of them) to trade for Sam Bradford prevented the Birds from a second-round pick in this year’s draft. And I know the prevailing wisdom (and usually my personal preference) is to draft the “best available” options in which you are presented (something they clearly did NOT do when they drafted Marcus Smith two years ago). However, to pass on Kendall Fuller, Nick Vigil or Brandon Williams is inexcusable for Roseman & Co.
I like Guard Isaac Seumalo a lot (even though he needs to improve on his pass protection—according to CBS Sports–which is a concern if true). However, to not select one of the available corners or safeties in the third round or at least try to try to move up to get another pick was a big mistake.
GRADE: C+
REDSKINS: LATER ROUNDS
There was speculation that the Redskins might try to target an early-to-mid-round quarterback as insurance in case Kirk Cousins regresses this fall. However, quarterback Nate Sudfeld is probably not a guy who will make Washington fans chant his name if Cousins struggles this fall.
I do like some of the selections made elsewhere in the later rounds. I love Temple product Matt Ioannidis to add depth along the defensive line (full disclosure: yes, I am a Temple University grad). Keith Marshall might help out on special teams and as a later-option running back. The Redskins added a nice piece with Steven Daniels. I saw him play a couple games at Boston College–he hits hard and impressed me against the run. Daniels might actually contribute in limited opportunities.
GRADE: B
EAGLES: LATER ROUNDS
Still no defensive backs…until the 196th (sixth round) pick? Really? Is Chip Kelly still in charge here?
Blake Countess and Jalen Mills are nice pieces, and the reports say they could play both safety and cornerback. They did offer additional support with Running Back Wendell Smallwood and Offensive Lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai to help Wentz (when he’s ready), but the Eagles are still one, or two, or maybe three quality D-back options short and still lack depth at middle linebacker. I know you can solve every problem through the draft. I also get the argument that they wanted to add a couple O-line pieces as protection for the quarterback, but there were/are additional decent offensive line options still available to add depth. And did they HAVE to draft another player from Oregon?
GRADE: D+
FINAL GRADES:
REDSKINS: A- (Solid moves all around, taking best-available players in nearly every case while upgrading several positions that needed to be addressed).
EAGLES: C (Cornerback? Safety? Middle linebacker? Bueller?)
Your comments, complains, opinions are most welcome via email: rcnsportstalk@rcn.com
