RELATED LINKS:-- Redskins "Ready To Go" For 2014 NFL Draft
-- Fletcher Finally Gets His NFL Draft Experience
-- BLOG: History Of Redskins' Second-Round Picks
On Thursday, the 2014 NFL Draft will commence at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and for the second time in as many seasons, the Washington Redskins do not have a first-round pick leading up to the annual event.
Still, the Redskins hold a valuable pick early on Day Two (No. 34 overall) that could be used, general manager Bruce Allen said this week, for selecting a prospect that graded out as a first-round talent, or as trade bait with a team looking to move up.
More than 25,000 fans packed FedExField for the annual Redskins Draft Day Party on Saturday, April 27, 2013.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he would not be surprised if at least a few teams called the Redskins to gauge their interest in dealing the pick sometime after the conclusion of the first round.
"Since they changed the format where now you have a break after the first round and teams have a chance to reconvene and get together, I think that makes it more likely you have the opportunity to trade out if you have a high second-round pick," Jeremiah said. "Because teams meet that night after the first round's concluded, and they might say, 'I can't believe this guy's still there; we have him so high up on our board and he'd be a great pick for us.'
"They have a chance to talk themselves into some players, and I think it drives up the price of those early second-round picks."
Jeremiah said he could "very easily" see the Redskins sliding back as well. The strongest scenario is with a team looking to select a quarterback early in the second round.
"You also factor in where they're picking in the second round is kind of where we're all thinking all of these quarterbacks could come off the board," Jeremiah said. "So, when you have players at that position that are out there, you have a chance to slide back."
While a trade would allow the Redskins to accumulate more draft picks further into this year's draft or for future drafts, they could also stay put.
And if recent history repeats itself, Washington could land itself a stud in the second round.
Over the last 20 years, the No. 34 overall pick has given multiple teams talent that has come in and contributed immediately – not to mention several Pro Bowl appearances.
In 2004, the New York Giants selected Boston College offensive lineman Chris Snee. In 10 seasons with the Giants, Snee has appeared in 141 games and is a four-time Pro Bowler.
More recently, the Indianapolis Colts picked Coby Fleener with the 34th overall pick in the 2011 draft. Starting with an 82-yard game in his debut, Fleener has 889 receiving yards in 28 career games and is an integral part of the Colts' offense.
Holding the second pick in rounds 3-7, Jeremiah – a former NFL scout – said he "doesn't see much difference" in slots in the back end of one round and the front of the next, other than it gives the organization more time to make quality decisions.
"I think it gives you a lot of time to kind of get your thoughts together and not make a poor decision."
|
Player |
Year Drafted |
Notable Career Facts |
|
Justin Hunter |
2013 |
18 rec., 354 yards, four TDs in rookie season |
|
Patrick Chung |
2009 |
Appeared in 62 games; 96 tackles in 2010 |
|
Donnie Avery |
2008 |
TD in every season played |
|
Paul Posluszny |
2007 |
162 tackles and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2013 |
|
D'Qwell Jackson |
2006 |
Averages 75 tackles per season |
|
Darren Howard |
2000 |
10-plus sacks in three different seasons |
|
Tre' Johnson |
1994 |
Played seven seasons in Washington; 1999 Pro Bowler |
.
.
.
