Here we are in late April and the NFL Draft is still weeks away coming later than in previous years. Fanspeak.com has put together a nifty tool for the NFL draft obsessed that allows you to take part in simulated mock drafts. Its the kind of thing you really should not admit doing with your free time.
I can’t get enough draft talk though so I eat it up like veal parm.
Today I did a Mock 7 Rounder, Vinny Cerrato style, for the Redskins and here is my bounty of athletes. This is assuming they stand pat with all of their draft slots which they almost assuredly will not. Anyways…
34 CB KYLE FULLER VIRGINIA TECH
Cornerback is a major need going forward. Hall is older, Porter is a one year plug, and Amerson is TBD as far as if he can actually play. Fuller has good size and technique and Virginia Tech has proven to put out very good DBs. Cheap CBs who can start and play at a high level early on in their rookie deals are a key ingredient in a recipe for building a competitive team.
66 DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE BOISE STATE
The new revamped defensive scheme under Jim Haslett is said to be predicated on the pass rush. Lawrence is versatile 3-4 OLB and can really get after the QB. Orakpo and Kerrigan are both up for big new deals after the season so more players to develop here is a must as who knows what will happen in 11 months on that front.
102 WR JARVIS LANDRY LSU
With Desean Jackson and Andre Roberts added to Pierre Garcon it would seem as though WR is a luxury pick here but Landry is way too good to pass here and I don’t think he actually lasts near this late. You have your Big 3 WRs and there really is nothing else behind them. Moss is toast, Hankerson is coming off a major injury, and Aldrick Robinson is just a guy. Landry is a physical receiver who would bring a nice complement to the offensive weapons in place.
142 DE TAYLOR HART OREGON
Hart projects nicely as an oversized DE for the 3-4. With Bowen and Jenkins both major question marks for the upcoming season this a position that could use an influx of young cheap talent now. Hart has great size, character, and awareness. If he adds strength he could be a nice prospect as a five technique on the DL.
178 WR MICHAEL CAMPANARO WAKE FOREST
Sometimes you just gotta go with the Best Player Available designation. Campanaro is a local guy from Howard County and is a tough little possession or slot receiver. Can also possibly be used as a Punt Returner. I think he beats out Aldrick Robinson for the #5 WR with Hankerson on P.U.P. list to start the season. RG3 has his weapons locked and loaded now.
217 OT CHARLES LENO BOISE STATE
Drafted another OT to battle it out with Tom Compton and whoever else is in Richmond for Training Camp for the backup OT slot. The Redskins have been documented to have met with him a couple of times in the process leading up to the draft and he fits the criteria of a need for camp competition. Could be drafted with an eye for the Practice Squad.
Here are a few others I would designate as anywhere from Priority Free Agents to straight camp fodder to fill in for the dearth of picks the team has lost over the past three years.
ILB AVERY WILLIAMSON – KENTUCKY
CB DEXTER MCDOUGLE – MARYLAND
RB LORENZO TALIAFERRO – COASTAL CAROLINA
TE COLT LYERLA – OREGON
ILB STEPHON ROBERTSON – JAMES MADISON
S DARWIN COOK – WVU
P TOM HORNSEY – MEMPHIS
QB JORDAN LYNCH – NORTHERN ILLINOIS
DT BEAU ALLEN – WISCONSIN
WR NOEL GRISBY – SAN JOSE STATE
OLB JONATHAN BROWN – ILLINOIS
S DEMETRIUS WRIGHT – USC
FB GATOR HOSKINS – MARSHALL
dopeonthetable 