Overall Draft Grade for the Redskins

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I guess you didn't mind Moss and ARE combining for 4 TDs last year?

I think a lot of that had to do with the playcalling and QB.

[Stuck in TX]

Originally Posted by irish

I think a lot of that had to do with the playcalling and QB.

and lack of depth when we had injuries

[hail_2_da_skins]

B - Overall, the Redskins had a very solid draft. I was a little worried when they traded out of the first round when quality players were still available, but their calculated move panned out and they not only got the player they wanted, Malcolm Kelly but Devin Thomas fell into their lap. Two moves that were questionable to me, 1) selecting a tight end and 2) selecting a punter. Both players they selected were the best at their positions but offensive line and defensive line were more pressing needs. Eventually they addressed most of their needs and only time will tell whether these picks were great or mediocre.

Players I Really Like:
Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
Colt Brennan QB Hawaii

[GTripp0012]

Well, I agree with Irish on one thing, that the most critical need at WR was a no. 1 type guy who had the speed, but was also established in college, and who would develop into the leader of the Skins receiving corps.

We didn't draft a guy like that, simply because there wasn't really anyone like that in the draft. We drafted a pair of number two receivers, to pair with our pair of already number two receivers on the roster.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like about the strategy of picking out the critical need and just killing it. I particularly like the reasoning that "we needed to improve our red zone offense" as opposed to "we need a wide receiver". We just landed a pair of mid level players, which is fine for where they were drafted, but neither will develop into a "true number one".

We are going to regret not cashing in big on this 2nd round, though I think Malcolm Kelly and Santana will make a nice tandem from 2009-on.

[memphisskin]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Well, I agree with Irish on one thing, that the most critical need at WR was a no. 1 type guy who had the speed, but was also established in college, and who would develop into the leader of the Skins receiving corps.

We didn't draft a guy like that, simply because there wasn't really anyone like that in the draft. We drafted a pair of number two receivers, to pair with our pair of already number two receivers on the roster.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like about the strategy of picking out the critical need and just killing it. I particularly like the reasoning that "we needed to improve our red zone offense" as opposed to "we need a wide receiver". We just landed a pair of mid level players, which is fine for where they were drafted, but neither will develop into a "true number one".

There's no way of knowing whether either of the two wideouts we drafted will develop into #1 guys, but they both have the size and ability to do just that. Now it depends on coaching and putting them into positions to succeed, something we haven't excelled at recently (see Lloyd, Brandon).

If we're going to see what Campbell has, then we've got to get him weapons. I think that's what this draft was all about.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Well, I agree with Irish on one thing, that the most critical need at WR was a no. 1 type guy who had the speed, but was also established in college, and who would develop into the leader of the Skins receiving corps.

We didn't draft a guy like that, simply because there wasn't really anyone like that in the draft. We drafted a pair of number two receivers, to pair with our pair of already number two receivers on the roster.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like about the strategy of picking out the critical need and just killing it. I particularly like the reasoning that "we needed to improve our red zone offense" as opposed to "we need a wide receiver". We just landed a pair of mid level players, which is fine for where they were drafted, but neither will develop into a "true number one".

We are going to regret not cashing in big on this 2nd round, though I think Malcolm Kelly and Santana will make a nice tandem from 2009-on.

Don't you think you're being a little too tough on Kelly and Thomas? Kelly did start all 4 years at Ok. That's pretty damn impressive if you ask me. Don't you think so? How many wr's start all 4 years at a top college program? No many, if any at all. Right now it's just too early to tell if these guys are #1's or #2's.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Don't you think you're being a little too tough on Kelly and Thomas? Kelly did start all 4 years at Ok. That's pretty damn impressive if you ask me. Don't you think so? How many wr's start all 4 years at a top college program? No many, if any at all. Right now it's just too early to tell if these guys are #1's or #2's.

Kelly started three years, came out as a junior.

The guys who start four years at a top college program and get picked high are the ones who lead the league in receiving every year. Torry Holt. Dwyane Bowe. Hines Ward. Javon Walker. Etc...

Kelly's issue was more of his speed. He's a Keyshawn Johnson type, it doesn't take a genius to see that. I mean, Keyshawn Johnson was very, very good for a long time. That's the best case scenario for Malcolm Kelly, who was productive multiple years in college.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Kelly started three years, came out as a junior.

The guys who start four years at a top college program and get picked high are the ones who lead the league in receiving every year. Torry Holt. Dwyane Bowe. Hines Ward. Javon Walker. Etc...

Kelly's issue was more of his speed. He's a Keyshawn Johnson type, it doesn't take a genius to see that. I mean, Keyshawn Johnson was very, very good for a long time. That's the best case scenario for Malcolm Kelly, who was productive multiple years in college.

Not every NFL wr has to have 4.3 4.4 speed to be productive. Wouldn't you be happy if he becomes as good as Keyshawn? I would.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Kelly started three years, came out as a junior.

The guys who start four years at a top college program and get picked high are the ones who lead the league in receiving every year. Torry Holt. Dwyane Bowe. Hines Ward. Javon Walker. Etc...

Kelly's issue was more of his speed. He's a Keyshawn Johnson type, it doesn't take a genius to see that. I mean, Keyshawn Johnson was very, very good for a long time. That's the best case scenario for Malcolm Kelly, who was productive multiple years in college.

And what about guys like Anquan Boldin, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith.

I think it's remarkable how you can predict best case scenarios

[MTK]

LOL none of these guys have strapped on a Redskins helmet yet and people already know how their careers are going to go. Hilarious.

[GTripp0012]

Who said that they "know how their careers are going to go"?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Who said that they "know how their careers are going to go"?

Didn't you just say neither will develop into a #1 WR?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Didn't you just say neither will develop into a #1 WR?

That's an observation we can be fairly certain about, and an opinion that most draft analysts share. What I didn't do was try to tell you exactly how good they would be, because we have no clue.

All we can do is say "if he's everything we want him to be, he will be this", or "if he's a failure, he will be this". No one is trying to answer those questions right now, but people are misconstruing the concept of value. A bunch of teams passing on a player doesn't make him valuable and people are confused on this concept.

Devin Thomas was the second receiver selected. The only way he can be a steal is if he's the best receiver in the entire draft. That's how we have to grade value. Malcolm Kelly was the 6th or 7th receiver taken, so he has a much better chance to be valuable.

But no, I'm not saying that this player will be this or this player will be that. Just pointing out the obvious: no team in the NFL thought either of these guys would be a good No. 1 receiver for them, so they passed. A lot of teams think that both these guys have No. 2 potential, and hopefully, they pan out for us.

[Jake2008]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

That's an observation we can be fairly certain about, and an opinion that most draft analysts share. What I didn't do was try to tell you exactly how good they would be, because we have no clue.

All we can do is say "if he's everything we want him to be, he will be this", or "if he's a failure, he will be this". No one is trying to answer those questions right now, but people are misconstruing the concept of value. A bunch of teams passing on a player doesn't make him valuable and people are confused on this concept.

Devin Thomas was the second receiver selected. The only way he can be a steal is if he's the best receiver in the entire draft. That's how we have to grade value. Malcolm Kelly was the 6th or 7th receiver taken, so he has a much better chance to be valuable.

But no, I'm not saying that this player will be this or this player will be that. Just pointing out the obvious: no team in the NFL thought either of these guys would be a good No. 1 receiver for them, so they passed. A lot of teams think that both these guys have No. 2 potential, and hopefully, they pan out for us.

I agree, the concensus was that this draft was very weak at the receiver position with no clear No 1 type receiver. Hopefully we found 2 of them, but receiver is one of the toughest positions to judge if they will make it in the NFL and I think we would have been better overall addressing other needs after taking 1.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

That's an observation we can be fairly certain about, and an opinion that most draft analysts share. What I didn't do was try to tell you exactly how good they would be, because we have no clue.

Until we see these guys on the field and see how well they pick up the offense and how their skills translate to the NFL I don't think we can really be certain about anything. Plus there are aspects that we can't measure that are x factors here. Mainly their work ethics both on the field and in the film room.

In another thread I think you equated Thomas to Eddie Kennison and Kelly to Keyshawn Johnson. Sounds to me like you've told us how good you think they can be.