Shanahan Has Drafted 2 WRs in the 1st Round Before, But...

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 28, 2011 10:59 AM EDT in Redskins 2011 Draft

Ashley Lelie...hails from Colt Brennan's alma mater.

A plethora (I've been saving that word) of mock drafts have the Redskins taking either AJ Green or Julio Jones #10 overall. For the life of me, I cannot see any circumstance of that happening unless Cerrato was still here. What's the value of drafting a WR that touches the ball 10% of the entire game when the Redskins have a defense that can't get off the field AND problems protecting the QB? Regardless, Mike Shanahan has taken a WR in the first round before. Let's rewind:

1998 - 30th pick - Marcus Nash (WR Tennessee) - 6'3 193lbs

The Broncos had just won Super Bowl XXXII over the Packers. Their WRs that year were (with age): Willie Anderson (32), Rod Smith (27), Ed McCaffrey (29), David gamble (26), Willie Green (31), and Patrick Jeffers (24). Jeffers only played 10 games, David Gamble 2, and Willie Anderson 4. With the Broncos coming off a Super Bowl, a WR made perfect sense given the age of all these guys and John Elway playing inspired ball. As we all know, the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 1998 as well, and then John Elway retired.

Result: Bad pick. Marcus Nash is a bona fide bust only having played 10 games in 2 seasons with Denver and was out of the NFL after 4 years. (Peyton Manning made him look good). Sadly, Nash broke his neck in the AFL and his playing days ended.

2002 - 19th pick - Ashley Lelie (WR Hawaii) - 6'3 178lbs

Lelie is a bit intriguing. The Broncos finished 4-12 in back to back years from 2001-2002. Their 2001 roster faced injuries as 9 WRs are listed. Rod Smith, 31, played 15 games and was pretty much the only healthy WR. Ed McCaffrey played 1 game and Eddie Kennison only 8 (starting in 6). The Broncos had a top 10 defense in 2001, so the WR pick was warranted.

Result: Bad pick. Lelie had 4 healthy years in Denver, but only had 1 year over 1000 yards and 1 year with more than 2 TDs. Oh, and the Packers selected Javon Walker with the very next pick. Ed Reed went a few picks later.

So, who still wants the Redskins to draft a WR round one? Top ten picks are rare and stud WRs are to be found in later rounds as we learned when Shanahan drafted Brandon Marshall in the 4th.

Note: Shanny was Head Coach of the Raiders in '88 and a handful of games in '89. Tim Brown was drafted in the 88 draft, but we all know who made that pick.

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Interesting that those receivers (Lelie and Nash) are both 6’3. Add in McCaffrey (6’5), Jeffers (6’3), Willie Green (6’4), Brandon Marshall (6’4), and you start to see a pattern with Shanny.

A.J. Green (6’4) and Julio Jones (6’3) both fit that mold.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

WR is suchhhh an easy position

To get in later rounds, and really get a great guy in later rounds. Anthony Armstrong, the 27 year old rookie who has jumped around, been in and out of the game, then cracked the line-up with us proved to be the perfect deep threat for the team, and we got him for nothing! This draft has solid guys all around, and I think we should be looking for our skill positions in the 2nd. We’ll have a chance to draft Ryan Williams in the 2nd, our any number of playmaking receivers. I haven’t really looked into receivers past the top 2, but they are out there.
1st round should be DL, LB, or QB this year, and in my eyes, probably the best available out of the three.

by BigOLinemen on Mar 28, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

Jon Baldwin

Just remembered. Giant, freak of an athlete WR meeting the Calvin Johnson mold, minus the great hands. The guy is a great 2nd round pick if we needed a WR and should definitely be around for us. Skill position, aside from QB, should not be addressed in the 1st this year under any circumstance. If Green falls, or Jones is the best available, we just have great trade bait.

by BigOLinemen on Mar 28, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Greg Little and Torrey Smith both look pretty beauty.

And there was that small school WR who put up ridiculous numbers at the combine.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Bill Walsh (Mike Shanahan's mentor) has a famous saying

that a WR should never be taken in the first round until every other position is shored up.
Somehow, I don’t think that’s us yet.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Mock drafts

Have us taking a WR, and it makes sense that one of the two goes at the #10 spot. But it should be to someone else who trades up (ie. Rams or Pats).

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

A lot of those drafts don't know the Redskins intimately

Like, if I picked for the Cardinals…you just draft a QB and move on right? I don’t know their LB situation etc…they have a lot of holes like us. That’s why I choose not to do full drafts…they’d end more disastrous then my NCAA Bracket (oh yea, Clemson elite 8). — i watch little regular season college basketball.

Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 28, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

A lot of those drafts don’t know the Redskins intimately. Like, if I picked for the Cardinals…you just draft a QB and move on right? I don’t know their LB situation etc…they have a lot of holes like us. That’s why I choose not to do full drafts

Agreed 100%. Mock drafts completed by one person are more often than not completely useless. If I click on one, I know with absolute certainty that they’ll have the Eagles taking a corner or an offensive lineman, and I can’t remember the last time the Eagles drafted a player in the first round that was their most glaring need. Now that I think about it, I think we talked about this exact thing at the combine.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't like mocks either.

Because you start with the assumption that there are no trades. So right off the bat, you’re wrong.
Then it’s too easy too look for players that make sense on a team, and have them ‘conveniently’ drop for that team to draft. How many mocks have Julio Jones falling to the Rams because it makes so much sense? Most of them.
I prefer positional rankings, like Mayock does.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Then it’s too easy too look for players that make sense on a team, and have them ‘conveniently’ drop for that team to draft.

Agreed. Major pet peeve of mine.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I also agree.

I really don’t think you guys need to take a WR in the 1st… perhaps developing the ones you currently have would be better? AA, BB played well enough for youngsters; should improve w/ one more year in your system.

Santana’s a pro and Malcolm Kelly’s time is now, if ever.

LOL, Kevin, I had St. John’s going to the Final 4. Sadly, the only games i’ve watched them in, they were crushing Big East Teams…

"This is one of the top 10 biggest bonehead trades in the history of the NFL."
-Redskins TE Chris Cooley

by Ralf E Chubbs on Mar 28, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s kind of a weird comment from a guy that drafted a player that some people call the greatest player (not just receiver) ever in the NFL… in the first round.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess finishing the season 15-1 is pretty close to having everything else in order.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

And Superbowl win.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I hear ya, but after having drafted someone like Rice, you’d think he might change his mind a little on that premise.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but remember Rice wasn't a typical receiver

The rumors and legends are that most teams didn’t have him as a priority and that it was either going to be the Cowboys or 49ers who would take him. Whether other teams knocked him on his size, speed or lower level of competition (or a combination of them), is a bit unclear, but it seems pretty evident that Walsh saw that Rice was the exception to the rule. And you know Walsh is right, Rice was successful simply because of his attitude and work ethic, not because of any great physical ability.

Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com

by Steve Shoup on Mar 28, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

His desire to be great and relentless work ethic made him a Hall of Famer. Sometimes it’s hard to identify those traits in a draft prospect though. They could be feigning desire because they know they should, or it could be authentic but fade off over time (and injuries). Hindsight makes it look obvious now.
This year, I think Jake Locker has those qualities. He did give up upwards of $50 million to prove he does though. As he said, “It’s not about being first, it’s about being great”

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

no WRz please.

Offensive Line , or LB/DE , period for number 10 pick , coaching football for 10yrz now , so it doesn’t take a pro scout to understand this , then scoop up a fresh hungry RB (mark ingram..he’d be a beast in the Zone Run schem…Hail Washington Redskins.

by oneloveva75 on Mar 28, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Ingram will be gone 1st rd

no chance in hell we take him…..only spot we could take him(barring any trades) would be @ 10 and that is not going to happen. You say oline or LB/DE only with 10 so Ingram would just not work.

by jkitts84 on Mar 28, 2011 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not too sure he goes in the first.

Maybe the Giants, Philly, and Green Bay make the most sense to draft him.
Maaaybe New England, but their young guys are amazing at not turning the ball over.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the Saints would make a lot of sense. Miami. Indy always takes skill position guys in the first, so you never count them out. Ingram’s a great player, but it’s crazy how many really good RB’s are in the NFL right now.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Mar 28, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Saints and Dolphins, ya.

But Indy just drafted Donald Brown. And Peyton is more important and needs protection.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

If it’s AJ Green, you have to take him. In this draft, if you can get a special player at a position of need like Green you have to do it. People have compared him to Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson. While we have other needs, getting a reciever of that type of game changing caliber is a necessity.

If it’s Julio Jones, there are too many question marks to take him so high (one example of potential concerns=hands)

by 8vechkin on Mar 28, 2011 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

it is a necessity but

it would be more helpful to whoever we have under center to have better blocking so he has time to get our WR’s the ball. IMO it would be more valuable to shore up our o-line or d-line(either DE or NT) and work our way out to be more successful.

Now, whether Dmac or Rex is back next season, an upgraded front could be the difference with our passing and running game. our young WR’s will come into their own with the leadership we have already

by Lil_Dwilliams17 on Mar 28, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Upgrades can come from existing linemen on the roster too.

Selvish Capers had all the physical tools last year, just needed good coaching.

by SSBlitz on Mar 28, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Uhhh.....not really

Selvish Capers had all the physical tools last year

He’s about as strong as a butterfly. Unless our strength & conditioning coach has done miracles, he will never see the field as a player in the NFL

by ENsDad27 on Mar 28, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Capers is a long shot, by ability and pedigree

He could work out, but a prudent plan wouldn’t rely on it.

"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins

by smutsboy1 on Mar 29, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

In most cases I would agree with you....

If we had a full hand of picks but we just need more picks in the higher rounds, we just have too many needs. If he does fall to us I think there are some teams out there who would be willing to “overpay” for him for all the reasons you just named. If we had anything resembling a solid core it would be different.

by MagicHat on Mar 28, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont think they will take a wr first round. if they do, they are seriously disconnected from reality and might even warrant tuning them out for the season. they need lines (almost entire lines not linemen)…both of them

by les boulez bomber on Mar 28, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Only AJ Green for me

The only WR I would draft in round 1 or 2 would be AJ Green. I’m more of a defensive guy and we need a RDE, LOLB, and a NT. We also need 3 (maybe 4 new OL) before a rookie WR. The offensive players can be taken later in the draft and developed if you ask me.

I’d resign Moss, sign a FA WR like James Jones, Sidney Rice (if available), Steve Breaston or a few other options to battle it out with Anthony Armstrong as #2.

I have this feeling that Terrance Austin is going to be the AA of this season. I can picture him catching 40 + balls and if he can he’d be a good #3 Wr.

I know he’s been a bust so far but also don’t sleep on Malcolm Kelly. He’s capable of being our big target across the middle in this offense and doing the dirty work the way Monk used to in the 80s. They just have to take it easy with Malcolm and when they think he’s sore, don’t make him work out. Make him rest.

by turtle28 on Mar 28, 2011 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

With you on this

I have this feeling that Terrance Austin is going to be the AA of this season.

Same here, he wasn’t given much of a chance on the field last year so I don’t really have anything to base this on but I think the kid can be good if given a chance.

My stance on Malcolm Kelly is well known by this point I think

SpottieOttieDopaliscious

by Rekka on Mar 29, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2008 as well, and then John Elway retired.

by darthredskin on Mar 28, 2011 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

I believe you meant 1998?

by darthredskin on Mar 28, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

yes, thanks

Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 29, 2011 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

WR Pick

I will have no issue with the Skins drafting Julio Jones if he is available on the draft board. Currently with Moss not on the team and MK going to be on a short leash for the upcoming season it is a position of need. That leaves the skins really with one decent WR in Armstrong.

by Kevin O'Connor on Mar 29, 2011 7:03 AM EDT reply actions