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(AP photo)

When the Washington Redskins backed into Plan B – namely defensive end Brian Orakpo, out of the University of Texas, we coulnd’t help but cry a single tear of joy.

More times than not, if Redskins owner Daniel Snyder wants a shiny new toy, he gets his wish. When “The Danny” swung and missed in his attempts to acquire disgruntled Denver quarterback Jay Cutler via trade, we knew he was unhappy. Once word broke that Snyder and friends were enamored with USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, there was little reason to believe they wouldn’t find a way to get him into a burgundy and gold uniform by any means necessary. “The Danny” losing a bidding war once a year is rare. Losing twice in the same calendar year is simply unheard of.

And yet, that’s where we are. When it was all said and done, the New York Jets pulled off the deal to move into the top five and select Sanchez, and the ‘Skins were forced to regroup and move in a different direction. Instead of bringing in a flashy name who plays a position that shouldn’t be a top priority, the Redskins had to “settle” for one of the best defensive players in the entire draft. And, oh by the way, this stud just so happens to play a position of need – dating back to even before the ‘Skins sent defensive end Jason Taylor packing.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Orakpo was a consensus All-American and one of college football’s most decorated players last season. He earned Big XII Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as capturing the Lombardi Award (nation’s best lineman), Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player) and Hendricks Award (nation’s best defensive end).

A two-year starter at Texas, Orakpo emerged in his senior season with a team-high 11.5 sacks, which ranked sixth in the country. He chipped in 40 tackles, including 17.5 stops for loss, and 15 pressures in 12 games. For his career, Orakpo started 21 of 49 games, registering 103 tackles, with 23 sacks for 187 yards lost, 34.5 tackles for loss totaling 210 yards and 36 pressures. He also forced six fumbles and recovered one.

And in a nice twist, Orakpo went to Lamar High School in Houston, Texas, where his team was named … you guessed it … the Redskins.

“We are so excited to be a Redskin,” Orakpo said during his Monday press conference at Redskins Park. “It’s so ironic because I was an official Redskin in high school. We modeled the Washington Redskins, and now I went from a Redskin to a Longhorn, back to a Redskin. My high school coach told me, once you’re a Redskin, you’re always a Redskin. So that was a great honor.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of 90-plus thousand in the huge stadium that you guys have,” Orakpo continued. “It would be wonderful and a great opportunity to be productive and be effective in front of a huge crowd on every Sunday so this is a huge honor for myself. Like I said, it’s a dream come true.”

So you’re saying to yourself, this sounds too good to be true. Orakpo goes to a random high school where he just so happens to be a Redskin and now, he’s playing that up to win over D.C. It all sounds just a little too convenient, right? There’s no way he actually knows anything about the ‘Skins, right?

“As far as defensive end-wise I just want to continue that great tradition we have,” Orakpo said. “Obviously you have two great Hall of Famers, Dexter Manley and Charles Mann, they have done a great job and I just want to really show those guys and the rest of Redskins Nation that I am a guy that’s here ready to work, come in humble and compete and most importantly win, that’s the most important thing.

“Like I said, I’m joining a great defense with outstanding teammates,” Orakpo continued. “Albert Haynesworth, London Fletcher, LaRon Landry, I could name them all and just to have my name amongst those guys is a huge honor and a huge accomplishment. These are guys I used to watch every Sunday when the Redskins would play. I’m just so excited, so ecstatic to be here. Once again, obviously they finished fourth in the NFL in defense and I just want to bring my skills and what I can do to help. First of all, I have to compete and earn my job, earn my position on the team and also earn my respect. So thank you very much Redskins Nation for having me, I am honored to be here, delighted, and lets keep this train rolling.”

Last year the Redskins used their first selection on Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas, a nice enough fellow, but a guy who won a Madden ’09 tournament against fellow rookies while using the hated Dallas Cowboys. This year, the team found a way to infiltrate Texas and steal a big-time talent who had already learned to embrace being a Redskin. Well played front office.

But let’s not go overboard patting Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, the team’s executive vice president/football operations, on the back just yet. We haven’t gotten to our favorite part of the story. Let’s go back to Saturday, when the Jets made the move to swap picks with Cleveland and steal away Sanchez. While they’d never admit so publicly, Snyder and Cerrato were blown away that another team dared to compete for the “offseason champions” title. Suddenly, they were sitting there with six whole draft picks and a little egg on their face. How ever could they recover from the public humiliation?

“I talked to about five teams ahead of us to try and get Brian [Orakpo] and everybody wanted to make their picks,” Cerrato said. “I called Denver and said do you want to flip flop and he said ‘you are going to get your guy.’”

So let us get this straight – other teams feel so bad for the Redskins that they don’t even feel right taking advantage of them anymore? Cerrato called Denver and basically said, “I’ll hold out my wallet. You take as much as you need so we can move up one spot to get our new shiny toy.”

Typical NFL protocol suggests that Denver would remain tight-lipped about their draft plans and steal a free pick or two away from Washington while still ending up with their player, in this case, running back Knowshon Moreno. But the ‘Skins front office is so inept, other teams simply cannot bring themselves to pick on them anymore.

Despite their best efforts to sabotage draft weekend, the Redskins walked away with a glaring hole in their lineup filled by one of the best overall players coming out of college. While it’s embarrassing that the Redskins are officially viewed by their peers as the kid who licks the window while wearing a helmet on the school bus, it’s almost worth it to know that somehow, some way, the ‘Skins might actually end up keeping their own draft picks and inadvertently begin building the team through the draft like a sensible franchise. Crazy talk, we know, but a man can dream, can’t he?

Feel free to proceed with cautious optimism.

(AP photo)

Forgive us, even though this is the day after the NFL draft, our minds and attention have been focused squarely on the Washington Capitals, who are fully engaged in a playoff battle with the New York Rangers. Tomorrow we’ll gladly dive in and get started on the newest Redskins players, but in the meantime, we’d like to encourage folks to take a look back at the series of interviews we did last week heading into the draft.

Here’s who shared their perspective and a small sample of their answers:

Redskins blogger Matt Terl

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

Eben Britton at pick 20 after trading back with the Lions to get an extra pick or two.

Washington Times beat writer Ryan O’Halloran

Who would be the riskiest pick at 13?

A trade into the top 10 that nets them USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. It would probably cost the Redskins their 2010 first-rounder and I always hate when a team deals a future first-rounder and the return isn’t a veteran player. And Sanchez has started for only one year. How long will it take for him to get ready? Can he be a franchise passer?

Washington Examiner beat writer John Keim

Who would be the safest pick at 13?

The safest pick is probably Brian Cushing. He will be there. And those I’ve talked to rate him as the best of the three USC linebackers. He plays a position of need and he fits what they want in an strong-side linebacker.

Redskins broadcaster Larry Michael

Can you give us two or three players who don’t play quarterback who the ‘Skins could possibly be interested in?

I’ve been talking about Brian Orakpo quite a bit. Not only is he a good player and was one of the stars of the combine, but he plays a position of need for the Redskins. A guy like Aaron Maybin is a good player and could step in right away. I’ve liked Rey Maualuga from the very beginning of this whole process when I first watched tape of him. He just plays with such passion. I don’t think you could go wrong with a guy like that either. I’m not Mel Kiper, but that’s my personal opinion.

Former Redskins safety Matt Bowen

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot?

Let’s say all those guys are gone and you can’t get one of the tackles. One thing you’ve got to understand about that team is they’re going to pick a guy that everyone knows. That’s just how it works out there.

They’re going to pick a guy who has had a lot of media attention. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a guy like Brian Orakpo from Texas. They also need an upgrade on the defensive line and need some pass rushers.

I’m still convinced that the way you build a football team is up front – with your offensive line and your defensive line. Skill players, they sell tickets, but to get wins in this league you have to protect your quarterback and sack the opposing quarterback.

(photo by Brian Murphy)

For the 31 teams who did not win the Super Bowl the previous year, NFL draft weekend represents hope – hope that through hard work and a little bit of luck they’ll walk away with the missing pieces to help propel their respective franchise to championship level.

Like anyone else, fans of the Washington Redskins are cautiously optimistic that this weekend will be the next step in seeing their favorite team return to glory. To help prepare folks for this weekend’s festivities we asked some local experts to share their take on how things might possibly shake out when the Redskins are on the clock. So far we’ve heard from Matt Terl, Ryan O’Halloran, John Keim and Larry Michael. Our fifth and final interview is with Matt Bowen a former member of the Redskins who now writes for the National Football Post.

Before we get started, let’s take a rational look at the Washington Redskins roster as currently constructed. Which areas are most in need of an upgrade heading into the draft?

I think the offensive tackle position is what they should look at. Now, there’s four studs there and while the talk about [USC’s Mark] Sanchez, the quarterback, is nice and gets people excited, puts fans in the seats and sells jerseys, for them to win now I think they need to look at adding some young talent to the offensive line. They’re old on the offensive line and could use an upgrade there.

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot?

Let’s say all those guys are gone and you can’t get one of the tackles. One thing you’ve got to understand about that team is they’re going to pick a guy that everyone knows. That’s just how it works out there.

They’re going to pick a guy who has had a lot of media attention. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a guy like Brian Orakpo from Texas. They also need an upgrade on the defensive line and need some pass rushers.

I’m still convinced that the way you build a football team is up front – with your offensive line and your defensive line. Skill players, they sell tickets, but to get wins in this league you have to protect your quarterback and sack the opposing quarterback.

That could be considered a surprising take, coming from a guy who played safety?

I know how it is. If your team can’t get to their quarterback, then you’re a sitting duck out there in the secondary. And you don’t want that. On the other side, when a quarterback doesn’t have a lot of time, that’s when interceptions, sacks and fumbles come.

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

I think when Dan Snyder starts to really like a player, he’s going to do everything he can to get him. I also think that everything that comes out of Washington is pretty true. I think the Washington Post does a great job of covering that team and are usually pretty truthful in what they print. But yeah, I think the best-case scenario for that front office would be to get Mark Sanchez in a Redskins uniform … and to play him too.
I would not be shocked if you had to trade with the Rams to get him at two. I wouldn’t be shocked because the Rams really want to move down. They want a tackle and there’s four available, so they can still get one if they move down.

I don’t know if they can get one all the way down at 13 and I don’t know if the Redskins have the amount of picks to get up to number two or number three with Kansas City – they’ll probably have to give up their first rounder next year, but typically Dan Snyder doesn’t have any problem with that. He doesn’t build teams through the NFL draft. He builds teams through first-round talent and free agents.

So when it’s all said and done, who do you think the Redskins end up with after the first round is complete?

My guts says they’re going to get Sanchez because I know that organization. I think they’re going to do everything they can to get him. If they can’t get him, then they get Orakpo. Those are my top two choices for them.

Orakpo would be good under Greg Blache because he’s such a demanding coach and a great coach. He’s one of the best in the league, and he demands that his players play hard and produce. He’s just like Gregg Williams was there.

One bonus question for you – do you have fond memories of your time with the Washington Redskins?

Oh, of course I do. I have fond memories of every team I played on, but I spent the most time of my career playing football in D.C.

I had a great time and my wife and I loved living there. She taught high school science in Virginia. It’s a great area to live. They have some of the best fans I’ve ever been around. I mean, they’re diehard fans. You wouldn’t even know there’s a baseball, basketball or hockey team there – it’s all Redskins, and it’s a great place to play.

Plus you play in the NFC East and that’s the best football there is. It’s the biggest market. It’s the biggest city. They have the best fans and I really liked the coaching staff there. I still have a great relationship with Gregg Williams. He’s one of my all-time favorites, he really is. And I loved Steve Spurrier. I really did. I know he got a bad wrap during his time there, but the guy really cared about his football players and there’s something to be said for that in a day and age where it’s all business, all the time.

(photo by Doug Pensinger)

For the 31 teams who did not win the Super Bowl the previous year, NFL draft weekend represents hope – hope that through hard work and a little bit of luck they’ll walk away with the missing pieces to help propel their respective franchise to championship level.

Like anyone else, fans of the Washington Redskins are cautiously optimistic that this weekend will be the next step in seeing their favorite team return to glory. To help prepare folks for this weekend’s festivities we asked some local experts to share their take on how things might possibly shake out when the Redskins are on the clock. So far we’ve heard from Matt Terl, Ryan O’Halloran and John Keim. Now it’s time for Larry Michael, the voice of the Washington Redskins.

Before we get started, let’s take a rational look at the Washington Redskins roster as currently constructed. Which areas are most in need of an upgrade heading into the draft?

I think most of the analysts over the last couple of months have pretty much got it on the nose. I mean, you’re looking for some help at linebacker – outside linebacker, strong-side linebacker. Also, if you could find a defensive end who could contribute or possibly a lineman. I don’t know if there’s another position that’s in desperate need of help, but you never know.

The “best player available” theory could come into play. We saw it last year and this year we’ll see the dividends of the guys who got picked last year. I think at 13 though, you’re looking for someone who is going to start for your team.

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot? Safest pick? Riskiest pick?

I’m beginning to sound like Vinny [Cerrato] here, but there’s no way of knowing until you know who gets picked ahead of time. My personal opinion is – with linebacker and defensive end – I don’t think you can go wrong with either one of those positions if you can get a starter. You’ve got some veterans on the defensive line and defensive end and you’ve got some guys who are kind of penciled in as the strong-side linebacker, but you could augment those two positions. Any one of the names you’ve heard mentioned, like the USC linebackers or Orakpo or Maybin if they were available at 13, who could potentially come in and start.

I think all these guys we’ve mentioned are safe picks because you haven’t really heard anything negative about these guys. Even with all the huge draft hype that builds with the media, we haven’t really heard anything negative about these guys. I think they’re all kind of safe. The question becomes who is available when you get to 13?

Riskiest? Well, I like Andre Smith because he’s fought through all this adversity. Now some of these wounds are self inflicted with what happened at Alabama and the combine. He certainly can play and is massive and I kind of like him. But at the same time, as far as the Redskins are concerned, I don’t know if they necessarily need to pick a tackle with the 13th overall pick. I think all the really great tackles are going to be picked earlier and I don’t know enough about some of the other guys.

I think Smith is someone who can play in the National Football League, but he might be gone by the time they pick. He’s the one guy in the top 15 who has some suffering about him, but I think he’s overcome it. I think that shows something about the kid.

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

I can’t speculate on what the Redskins will do, but I know what I’d like to see happen, personally. I’d like to see them get someone who is a starter, whether it’s a starting tackle, a defensive end and linebacker. This time of year, speculation runs rampant and it kind of feeds itself. You can’t believe everything you hear. Like last year, I don’t think many people were prepared to see the Redskins do what they did. It was somewhat surprising to see them trade down and take two wide receivers and a tight end bang, bang, bang. It was like, “What are we going to do with these guys?”

Well, this year you’re going to see why they took them last year. I think Devin Thomas is going to have a great year. Malcolm Kelly is going to be healthy and ready to contribute and Fred Davis is ready too. I think the Redskins will just have to react to how everything unfolds in front of them. I really believe things don’t get going until the draft starts because every person who gets picked before you impacts what you might do. I think that’s the fun of it.

Can you give us two or three players who don’t play quarterback who the ‘Skins could possibly be interested in?

I’ve been talking about Brian Orakpo quite a bit. Not only is he a good player and was one of the stars of the combine, but he plays a position of need for the Redskins. A guy like Aaron Maybin is a good player and could step in right away. I’ve liked Rey Maualuga from the very beginning of this whole process when I first watched tape of him. He just plays with such passion. I don’t think you could go wrong with a guy like that either. I’m not Mel Kiper, but that’s my personal opinion.

We’ve covered their dream situation. We’ve identified potential targets. When it’s all said and done, who do you think the Redskins end up with after the first round is complete?

I can’t give you one name, but I think if they stick with 13 they’d be happy to get someone like Orakpo. I know I’m copping out a little bit, but I think if they get to their pick and have a choice between two or three of those guys we’ve identified, they’d be happy. Orakpo would be outstanding. He could step in and help the team, same with any of those USC linebackers.

(photo by Harry How)

For the 31 teams who did not win the Super Bowl the previous year, NFL draft weekend represents hope – hope that through hard work and a little bit of luck they’ll walk away with the missing pieces to help propel their respective franchise to championship level.

Like anyone else, fans of the Washington Redskins are cautiously optimistic that this weekend will be the next step in seeing their favorite team return to glory. To help prepare folks for this weekend’s festivities we asked some local experts to share their take on how things might possibly shake out when the Redskins are on the clock. So far we’ve talked to Matt Terl and Ryan O’Halloran. Our third installment brings us John Keim, who covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner and is a contributor to the Sporting News and Warpath Insiders.

Before we get started, let’s take a rational look at the Washington Redskins roster as currently constructed. Which areas are most in need of an upgrade heading into the draft?

I think that’s obvious by this point, right? They need a pass-rushing end, a right tackle and a strong-side linebacker. They could use an anchor at left end, a young Phillip Daniels type, but do you draft that sort of player at 13?

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot? Safest pick? Riskiest pick?

The smartest pick is tough because we don’t know who will be available. If Brian Orakpo falls to this spot, he’d be the smartest because of the position he plays. Same with a guy like Andre Smith. And I think the smartest thing to do here is not to panic and feel they HAVE to get someone at a position.

The safest pick is probably Brian Cushing. He will be there. And those I’ve talked to rate him as the best of the three USC linebackers. He plays a position of need and he fits what they want in an strong-side linebacker.

The riskiest pick would be Michael Oher or Rey Maualuga. Both are talented, no doubt. Both bring some baggage. I also think a lot of the rush ends would be risky because each one pretty much has warts on their game.

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

Mark Sanchez. Ideally they’d take him at 13 because that would require no trade. To guarantee his arrival in D.C., they’d have to trade to number three. I’m not sold on Seattle taking him, so they might get away by moving into, say, the eighth pick.

Can you give us two or three players who don’t play quarterback who the ‘Skins could possibly be interested in?

Brian Orakpo, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Michael Oher. At this point the names are well-known.

We’ve covered their dream situation. We’ve identified potential targets. When it’s all said and done, who do you think the Redskins end up with after the first round is complete?

Mark Sanchez. The Redskins would look bad if they whiffed on another quarterback.

(photo by Joel Auerbach)

For the 31 teams who did not win the Super Bowl the previous year, NFL draft weekend represents hope – hope that through hard work and a little bit of luck they’ll walk away with the missing pieces to help propel their respective franchise to championship level.

Like anyone else, fans of the Washington Redskins are cautiously optimistic that this weekend will be the next step in seeing their favorite team return to glory. To help prepare folks for this weekend’s festivities we asked some local experts to share their take on how things might possibly shake out when the Redskins are on the clock. We’ve heard from Redskins official blogger Matt Terl, up next – beat writer Ryan O’Halloran of the Washington Times.

Before we get started, let’s take a rational look at the Washington Redskins roster as currently constructed. Which areas are most in need of an upgrade heading into the draft?

Strong-side linebacker. There isn’t an established starter currently on the roster and the Redskins seem to be downgrading the importance of the position even though it’s a position of importance in the NFC East because of the physical style of their rivals. Granted, Marcus Washington had become strictly a two-down player but finding a new starter at strong-side linebacker is important because we don’t know how long Rocky McIntosh’s knees are going to hold up at weak-side linebacker and if he becomes a liability on third down, it amplifies the importance of the strong-side linebacker.

Left defensive end. Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn are great guys and everything but do the Redskins really want to head to the Meadowlands for Week 1 with a two-man rotation of over-30 ends? They shouldn’t. The Redskins need to boost their pass rush or it won’t matter how good DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers are in coverage.

Offensive line. This rebuilding effort has to start sooner rather than later and the Redskins have to take it seriously. The “Todd Wade Left Guard Experiment” didn’t work in 2006 and Pete Kendall cost them two draft choices. The Chad Rinehart Project won’t pay a dividend this year, which forced the Redskins to bring back Derrick Dockery.

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot? Safest pick? Riskiest pick?

Smartest pick: A defensive end who is big enough to play in a 4-3 scheme yet as an ability to rush the passer. Candidates would include Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and Tennessee’s Robert Ayres. I don’t expect Texas’ Brian Orakpo to be around.

Safest pick: Probably USC linebacker Brian Cushing. He’s capable in coverage and appears to be physical enough to play the run right away. He didn’t rush the passer much in college so that part of his game would require development.

Riskiest pick: A trade into the top 10 that nets them USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. It would probably cost the Redskins their 2010 first-rounder and I always hate when a team deals a future first-rounder and the return isn’t a veteran player. And Sanchez has started for only one year. How long will it take for him to get ready? Can he be a franchise passer?

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

Now this is dangerous stuff, trying to get inside the minds of The Danny and The Vinny. If it’s up to them, they trade into the top 10 and grab Sanchez. More than likely, they stay put at No. 13 and draft a defensive end. But for all I know, they could be targeting a receiver … again.

Can you give us two or three players who don’t play quarterback who the ‘Skins could possibly be interested in?

Since I talked about Cushing already, I’ll mention Maybin. He has good height (6-3.5) and weighed in at 250 pounds during the Combine. But he was very productive as a senior (20 tackles for lost yardage, 12 sacks) and his athleticism would give Greg Blache some options and move him around.

Everette Brown from Florida State put up some huge numbers last year (14.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for lost yardage). The Redskins could trade down in the low teens or high 20s to get him. At 6-2 and 256 he would pose match up problems for bigger offensive tackles.

I’m interested to see what kind of interest the Redskins have/had in Rey Maualuga. The Redskins are set at MLB but maybe they think Maualuga is smart enough to make the quick transition to outside linebacker.

We’ve covered their dream situation. We’ve identified potential targets. When it’s all said and done, who do you think the Redskins end up with after the first round is complete?

As Vinny put it the other day, the scenarios are trade up, trade down or stay put. The most likely I think is trading down. The Redskins have only one of the first 79 picks and that’s not the ideal way to get younger. If they like Michael Oher from Mississippi and they see him slipping, expect a trade down.
Ultimately, I’ll predict they trade down and draft Florida State’s Everette Brown.

(photo by Donald Miralle)

For the 31 teams who did not win the Super Bowl the previous year, NFL draft weekend represents hope – hope that through hard work and a little bit of luck they’ll walk away with the missing pieces to help propel their respective franchise to championship level.

Like anyone else, fans of the Washington Redskins are cautiously optimistic that this weekend will be the next step in seeing their favorite team return to glory. To help prepare folks for this weekend’s festivities we asked some local experts to share their take on how things might possibly shake out when the Redskins are on the clock. Up first, Redskins official blogger Matt Terl.

Before we get started, let’s take a rational look at the Washington Redskins roster as currently constructed. Which areas are most in need of an upgrade heading into the draft?

I don’t think there’s a lot of debate here: youth at left defensive end, an every-down right tackle, and strong-side linebacker (unless the coaches know something about Robert Thomas and/or moving Chris Wilson that we don’t).

Assuming the Redskins can’t trade out of the 13th pick, who would be the smartest pick at that spot? Safest pick? Riskiest pick?

I don’t see a lot of risky picks falling to 13. At one point, I would’ve projected Andre Smith in that role here, but it certainly looks like he’ll be a risky pick in the top 10 instead. So let’s see …

Smart pick: tough to say, not knowing who’s gone. If any of the four big-name tackles lands here, I think that’s the smart pick. I’d be thrilled to come away with a Michael Oher.

Safe pick: Brian Cushing, I think. He fills a need, seems unlikely to be a bust, and will almost certainly be available.

Risky pick: After the endless rumor cycle of the last week, do you have to ask? Mark Sanchez. Even if he falls to here – which seems exceedingly unlikely – he doesn’t fill a need, will enrage a portion of the fanbase … but might pay huge dividends down the line. Seems like the definition of risky to me.

If everything fell into place for the Redskins front office, which player do they end up with and what draft spot do they take him from?

Eben Britton at pick 20 after trading back with the Lions to get an extra pick or two.

Can you give us two or three players who don’t play quarterback who the ‘Skins could possibly be interested in?

Well, the four top tackles plus the next few guys down the line – Britton, Phil Loadholt, maybe Beatty – if they can move back.

Aaron Maybin, if they believe he can play off the left side. Brian Cushing. Ray Maualuga.

We’ve covered their dream situation. We’ve identified potential targets. When it’s all said and done, who do you think the Redskins end up with after the first round is complete?

Brian Cushing at 13.