What he liked:
#Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, speaking to reporters about #SkinsDraft: "We liked something different about all of them."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015
Gruden said the mission of this year's draft was to get tough football players and he feels like they did that.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Jamison Crowder:
Gruden liked Jamison Crowder's big-play ability.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Gruden noted Jamison Crowder's punt return ability when discussing his strengths.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 2, 2015
Gruden said he could envision Crowder being the #Redskins returner Week 1. "He's a natural punt returner. We'll see what he can do on KOs."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 2, 2015
Drafting multiple OL:
Gruden on picking up several offensive linemen: "You can never have too many big guys who can move the pile."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015
Arie Kouandjio:
Gruden said Kouandjio's size, physicality and attention to detail impressed.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Martrell Spaight:
Gruden liked Martrell Spaight's production and big hitting ability.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Kyshoen Jarrett:
Although undersized for safety, Jarrett plays with good physicality and shines on special teams, Gruden says.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Evan Spencer:
Sticking with the physicality theme, Gruden praises WR Spencer's play and says he'll bring new mindset to the room.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Gruden said team scout Cole Spencer called his brother, Evan, to tell him he'd been drafted by the #Redskins.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015
Gruden says WR Evan Spencer "is big, fast, physical. He's going to be a demon on special teams."
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Gruden raved about Evan Spencer: "He's gonna be a demon on special teams. ... I think he's gonna be here for a while."
— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) May 2, 2015
Improving special teams:
Gruden said special teams contributors was an emphasis this year in the draft: "When your depth improves, your special teams improve."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015
Defensive line:
Gruden said they considered taking some DLs, but felt they already have some good players and addressed other needs in free agency.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 2, 2015
GM Scot McCloughan:
Gruden on #SkinsDraft 2015: "Scot was the lead dog. That was the biggest change." Said everybody had input. "We're all fired up about it."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015
Gruden said Scot "was the lead dog" but took input from everyone. No real bickering or head-butting, he said.
— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) May 2, 2015
Gruden said that McCloughan did a good job of prepping everyone for the draft so they made good calls on the fly, weren't scrambling.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 2, 2015
Character concerns:
Asked about avoiding players with arrests, suspensions, etc., Gruden said: "We got some good, sound football players. Good people, too."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 2, 2015
Phase II of workouts:
Gruden said players & coaches are "champing at the bit" to start Phase 2 of offseason workouts, doing on-field drills (but no contact yet).
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 2, 2015