Washington Redskins 2011 NFL Draft Review

The Redskins went from eight original picks in the 2011 Draft to thirteen with a variety of trades. Washington traded back with Jacksonville and picked up a 2nd round selection. With the 16th pick in the first round, the Skins added elite pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan whose urgent and intense play will help Brian Orakpo at the right outside linebacker position. Washington turned their 1st round pick at ten into a 1st, 3rd, 4th, two 5th, and a 7th round pick. In short, Mike Shanahan picked up five additional picks by moving down six positions in the first round. The 13 picks are one more than they had in the past two drafts combined. Ryan Kerrigan played a right defensive end in a four man front. He projects to the left side as a stand up outside linebacker for the Redskins. He can’t be blocked with a tight end. He is instinctive, quick to read and react to pressure then get to the ball, and is in the right place at the right time. He can bend his course to the depth of the quarterback. He shows good use of arms, hands, and leverage at the point of attack. Kerrigan has sudden first step quickness and uses a variety of pass rush moves including rip, spin, and slap and grab. Even if he doesn’t get the sack he is still disruptive. In the past two years, Kerrigan racked up 25 ½ sacks, 44 ½ tackles for loss, and 12 forced fumbles. Jarvis Jenkins projects to the right five technique defensive end spot. Kedric Golston started at right end in 2010 and is a free agent. A three-year starter, Jenkins is active and a try hard player who will finish pursuit. He has quick first step, gets his hands up and in the throwing lane, and is physical against the run if he keeps his pad level down. He works his hands and feet to press the pocket and rush the quarterback. Quick to disengage and separate from the blocker, he still needs more upper body strength. Leonard Hankerson was a two-year starter with big hands and long arms. He will compete for a starting wide receiver spot. A good sized target with deep speed, he is a competitor who will catch the ball in a crowd. He can make the vertical over the shoulder catch, tracking the ball in his hands. He can beat press coverage with quickness and speed. Roy Helu is a downhill one cut speedster that Shanahan is famous for developing. He has the finish speed to break long runs and has outstanding athletic ability. He gets downhill in a hurry and can follow his blockers on the inside zone or zone stretch play. He drives his legs on contact for extra yards. DeJon Gomes will compete as a cover two corner and safety. Experienced at the nickel and dime positions, he was productive with 99 tackles and seven pass breakups. He played a gunner on the punt team. Niles Paul averaged 19.9 yards on 40 catches in 2009. The big play receiver snatched nine catches for 35 yards or longer. On special teams he averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 10.7 on punt returns. He performs like a running back after catch and has good running instincts. He is tough and willing to go over the middle to catch the square-in pattern in traffic. Evan Royster is a downhill one cut back. Not flashy, but he has been productive rushing for 3932 yards in his career. A ball control runner with good vision and cutting ability, he follows and cuts off his blockers. A tackle to tackle runner, he will lower his shoulder to get extra yards. Aldrick Robinson is a developmental wide receiver who is undersized but fast. He knows how to get open and read defenses on the run. He has reliable hands, but ball security may be a problem due to his small hands and short arms. He will catch the ball in traffic. Over his career he caught 181 passes for 3314 yards, 18.3 yards per catch, and 30 touchdowns. Corner Brandyn Thompson is a reactive football player who takes good angles on run support. He has good instincts and play awareness. A consistent hard wrap up tackler, he will contribute on special teams which will be his ticket to get on the field because of his fringe size. He was the 2009 defensive MVP in the Fiesta Bowl. Maurice Hurt has experience at both guard and tackle. In 2010 he started six games at right guard, four at right tackle, and one at left guard. He has an injury history with knee and neck problems. He is a developmental long armed and wide bodied project. Markus White played defensive end and projects to outside linebacker. A high effort player with long arms and big hands for the position, the two year starter has good initial quickness. He plays the best in a predetermined stunt scheme. His instincts are off. White plays high and struggles versus the run. He is a former junior college transfer. Chris Neild is a blue collar nose tackle who sheds quickly and hustles to the ball. He stacks the block in the hole. He can read blocks and has the footwork and feet to get leverage. Explosive with quick reactions, he has good instincts and awareness for draws and screens and is always around the ball. GRADE: AVERAGE