It's been over a month since our last poll examining our upcoming draft needs. I asked "What position do the Redskins need to draft first in 2007?" and you answered:
Cornerback 24 votes - 25 %
Linebacker 8 votes - 8 %
Defensive Tackle 17 votes - 17 %
Defensive End 31 votes - 32 %
Center 1 vote - 1 %
Guard 1 vote - 1 %
Tackle 3 votes - 3 %
Other (explain yourself) 4 votes - 4 %
Obviously you think our biggest needs were on the Defensive Line (specifically end, likely because of our total lack of a pass rush in 2006) and in the secondary (specifically cornerback). As these results are correspondent with both my understanding of this team's glaring weakness on defense as well as the general murmurs on message boards and here, I'll view the poll results as confirming the precarious consensus that the Redskins need to draft Defensive End and Cornerback, not necessarily in that order.
I've argued elsewhere that the Redskins draft strategy should be to trade down though I admit the possibility that I could be wrong (but seriously, I'm not). Rather than rehash that argument over and over again I think I'd rather just put it to a vote.
Here are a few realities that need to be addressed prior to voting:
- We only have one Day 1 Draft Pick, the #6 pick of the draft. This is an excellent pick to have as this draft is especially deep at one of our positions; Defensive End. It is nearly guaranteed that we can acquire one of the best Defensive Ends in the draft or the consensus best Cornerback of the draft with this pick.
- Day 2 Draft Picks are not generally treated as means to secure needed holes on a team, rather they offer depth. There are exceptions, but most 2nd day draft picks do not start, and many of them are cut prior to the season.
- Someone below us will want the #6 pick and will be willing to trade for it.
- We weren't kind of bad at defense in 2006. We were horrible.
Poll
With the 6th pick in the 2007 draft the Washington Redskins select...
This poll is closed
-
16%
a Defensive End
-
1%
a Cornerback
-
41%
Trade Down
-
19%
Best player available. Period.
-
14%
Best DE or CB available
-
7%
Other (explain in comments)