Despite being thin at the Quarterback position this year, the upcoming draft is still chock full of talent for teams to pick from. Of course, positions of need, especially at QB, WR, OT, & DE always seem to dominate the first round. This years class has several talented FS and SS prospects (which should make most of us Redskins fans pretty happy), along with long list of DB, LB, and OL who should play well at the next level....so there should be quality players at these positions well into the 4th and 5th rounds.
Like any in-crazed fan, I love to study the list of combine players, check their backgrounds, watch their drill results, and make a grand wish-list of sorts for your favorite team.
Here is a link to the players invited to this years Combine:
http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list
Ah...it is SO nice to be thinking of the draft and not having to target QB's, WR's, and RB's in the draft...those positions are fairly taken care of, though, we always have room for a Shanny picked RB or WR, our glaring needs are elsewhere, so lets look at those first.
With that in mind, I will focus on NEED & VALUE with my wish-list this year. For this first installment of the Combine Primer, we will focus on Offense (part 1).
Offensive Wish-List / Combine Players to Watch
Offense: Immediate Needs - OT, OG, TE
OT / OG
NEED
Menelick Watson - 6'5" 320 lbs Florida State- If there is one guy I like at RT, it is this massive, athletic beast. This guy has great feet, strength, and is a great fit for our zone-blocking offense. It may be a reach to expect him to be on the board in the second round...maybe they move up a little to secure him...either way, he fits the need perfect.
Travis Frederick 6'4" 338 lbs. Wisconsin - Healthy, big, talented, and versatile OL, who could play C, G, or RT in the NFL. He decided to forgo his senior year and is expected to come off the board late 1st, early 2nd....still a reach for the Redskins, but a great fit with even great upside...no way they pass this guy in the 2nd if he is still on the board.
VALUE
Garrett Gilkey - 6'6" 314 lbs Chadron State - Gilkey is a Senior bowl standout and small school prospect, currently projected as a 5th-6th round pick, who attended Chadron State. His stock should rise, but I think he is a solid value pick in the 5th. He is another big, athletic O-Lineman who can play RT or G in the NFL. I like his upside...small school prospects always have a lot to prove....just check out this great story out of the Senior Bowl practices: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/25/us/garrett-gilkey-senior-bowl/index.html
TE
NEED
Vance McDonald - 6'4" 262 lbs Rice - Though not the most highly regarded pick, this hybrid WR/H-Back/TE would be a nice weapon to add to the arsenal if Fred Davis is not resigned. He may slide to the later rounds, as well, providing value and a unique skill set.
VALUE
Travis Kelce - 6'6" 260 lbs Cincinnati - He saw limited time in college due to a early injury followed by a lengthy suspension for violating team rules, but last year bounced back to catch over 700 yds. He is regarded as a decent blocker, quick feet, good hands....of course, his stock took a hit from his history, and there may be some concern there, that also leaves him as a great value for the middle rounds of the draft.
RANDOM WILDCARD
RB
NEED (not so much) / VALUE (boat-loads)
Zack Line - 6'0" 230 lbs SMU - He is one of the biggest and hardest running in this class. He is a north/south runner who always fights for the extra yard...and even threatened Eric Dickerson's college rushing record. He is regarded as more of a fullback prospect to most (kind of like Alfred Morris was)...if available late, I doubt Shanny could pass.
Watch for Part 2 next week!
Hail to the Redskins
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