2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are at it again. Every year, it seems, they try to make a big splash, spend millions on free agents and yet only rarely make the playoffs.

For years now, the only thing Washington has won is the offseason.

It certainly doesn't help playing in a division with perennial power teams. In the 1990's, there was the Cowboys dynasty. In the early 2000's, Philadelphia was making a deep run every year, and now the Giants have won two Super Bowl titles in the last five seasons.

But Washington, instead of rebuilding through the draft and setting a solid foundation, has tried quick fixes to remain competitive.

Now, finally, the Redskins have made an offseason splash that may also serve to set that foundation.

They gave up a lot to get him, but trading up with the Rams to draft Robert Griffin III may be a seminal moment in this franchise's history.

RG3 is one of the most unique talents we've ever seen come out of college and has a chance to be special in the NFL.

Owner Daniel Snyder made a few moves to bolster the receiving core and the defensive backfield, eschewing the big names, while aiming for the kind of role players you need to compete every week in the league.

This somewhat new approach may not pay off this season, but could pay long-term dividends for the Redskins. 

Offense
Despite what Donovan McNabb says (try to stifle your laughter), Griffin III will be an ideal fit for this offense. Roy Helu appears to be a solid running back and with a new group of receivers, RG3 will use play action and roll-outs to put defenses on their heels.

Just how much this offense will be tailored to fit the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, we'll find out once practice begins. I doubt we'll see much speed option, but you can expect some designed runs for Griffin as well as frequent use of boot options and read plays.

Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon were signed to bring some consistency to this skill group. Santana Moss is getting older, but can still be explosive at times. Getting a deeper group of receivers should take the pressure of him and open up more lanes for him to make big plays down the field.

There are some concerns with this offensive line group although Trent Williams has been ad advertised when he's been healthy. Getting some protection for RG3 should be a perennial focus from now on.

Adding a pass-catching tight end would also give Griffin III a security blanket and a red zone threat. There is a solid group of tight ends in this class, and the Redskins, despite not having a second round pick, could still pick one up. 


Key Free Agents: David Anderson WR, Rex Grossman QB (re-signed w/ Redskins), Tim Hightower RB, Malcolm Kelly WR, Kory Lichtensteiger G (re-signed w/ Redskins), Sean Locklear OT, Will Montgomery C (re-signed w/ Redskins), Mike Sellers TE, Donte' Stallworth WR (signed w/ Patriots), Ryan Torain RB

Defense
While Snyder didn't break the bank on one of the big fish in free agency, he did stockpile defensive backs after losing both his starting safeties in free agency along with two other role players.

Washington will bring in Madieu Williams, Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson, all who have been impact safeties at various times in their respective careers.

Out of those three, you'd hope Washington could find two who play well enough to emerge as starters. Jackson is the biggest playmaker in coverage of the three, but was the worst defensive back in football last year making tackles according to Pro Football Focus.

Leigh Torrence and Cedric Griffin (assuming he still has working ligaments in his knees), should provide some depth behind DeAngelo Hall at corner for a defense that finished 12th last year against the pass.   

The Redskins are in good shape when it comes to pass rush with Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, but the defensive interior is weak to say the least and getting some beef in the middle should help secure a defense that game up more than 117 yards per game on the ground last year.

Key Free Agents: O.J. Atogwe S, Phillip Buchanon DB, Adam Carriker DE (re-signed w/ Redskins), London Fletcher ILB (re-signed w/ Redskins), Keyaron Fox LB, Kedric Golston (re-signed w/ Redskins), Chris Horton DB (signed w/ Giants), LaRon Landry SS (signed w/ Jets), Rocky McIntosh ILB, Byron Westbrook DB

Draft Targets

Needs: QB,DL,OL,TE,DB
Round 1 (Pick 2 F/ Rams): Robert Griffin III QB Baylor (Pos. Rank: 2, Overall Rank: 2)

We know this is the pick and what the Redskins gave up to make it. We also know that Griffin III is the most athletic quarterback to come into the league since Mike Vick, but doesn't have the same run-first mentality. In some ways, RG3 is the quarterback we always thought Vick should be, using his feet to keep defenses honest and creating problems when the play breaks down. This is a make or break moment for the Redskins. If Griffin III is the player the 'Skins think he is, it was well-worth the price they paid and ironically, he has a much higher ceiling than Sam Bradford, who happens to play on the team Washington traded with to get this pick.

Round 2 (Pick 39): Traded to Rams for #2 pick

Round 3 (Pick 69): Alameda Ta'amu NT Washington (Pos. Rank: 8, Overall Rank: 69)

Washington did re-sign Adam Carriker, but there are currently only three defensive tackles on this  roster. Ta'amu has dominant physical skills, was unblockable at the Senior Bowl, but much like fellow nose tackle Dontari Poe, the film doesn't show him to be a consistent force. Luckily, he doesn't have the baggage that Albert Haynesworth had and as such, should be much more coachable at the next level. This probably isn't who I'll have have in my final mock, only because I think Daniel Snyder will want to get more weapons for RG3. That's why to me, Orson Charles seems more likely even if Ta'amu makes more sense.

Overall

The value of this draft is dead on (0), but you have to remember what the Rams gave up to get Robert Griffin III. It seems like the Redskins might have given up one first round pick too many if you go by the charting, but if you look at next year's draft would RG3 have been rated about Matt Barkley? Maybe, but Barkley is the presumptive #1 overall pick next year, not to mention Griffin III has a higher ceiling. He certainly ranks about where Landry Jones would have been, which means if you were going to pick a year to get a quarterback, this is it. Either Ta'amu or Orson Charles could be impact rookies and either would be a welcome upgrade to what the Redskins have at the position already. 

Final Thought
Even if Robet Griffin III can step in and be as good as Cam Newton as a rookie, the Redskins will be extremely lucky to win 8 games next year. In a division where the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys all appear to be stronger than last year (with the possible exception of the Giants), the Redskins will have an uphill battle trying to make strides. To me, you can't judge the Redskins based on 2012 however, because the move to get RG3 signals a shift to make long-term improvements. Six or seven wins would be outstanding, particularly given that the 'Skins have the NFC South and the AFC North teams on their schedule. Four or five wins with RG3 at quarterback seems much more likely, landing the 'Skins back in the top 10 of next year's draft. I know it won't make the fans happy, at least during the season, but that could actually be a good thing and would give Washington the ability to continue this rebuilding project through the draft, adding young talent around their franchise quarterback.