Washington Redskins 2010 NFL Draft Grades

I've never been one to take stock on draft grades since as media we know 1/100,000th of the college players then that of the GMs making the decisions. Some 'experts' grade teams based on value of the pick, others on how many team needs were addressed, and some on the the overall quality of the players.

Time will tell, but here's a list of all the big hitters grades...

Feel free to add any grades I missed in the comments below and add in your own grades as well too.

Mark Maske - WaPost: B
Going with a left tackle at fourth overall was the right move, although some will debate taking Trent Williams over Russell Okung. The Redskins, as usual, left themselves with too few picks, sitting out Friday's rounds altogether.    

Rick Snider - WaExaminer: C-
The Redskins made two smart moves in drafting offensive tackle Trent Williams fourth overall and not trading defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for a bag of balls. Washington now has playmakers on both lines...The Redskins get a C-minus in the draft for one starter, one contributor and a lot of this and that. Not a disaster, but not better than expected, either

Dan Kadar - Mocking The Draft
Perception: Offensive tackle Trent Williams being selected over Russell Okung was a strange move. Linebacker Perry Riley may not be a good fit for the 3-4 defense.
Reality: With one pick in the first two days of the draft, Washington was in a tough spot. But Selvish Capers was a solid find in the seventh round. Oh, and getting Donovan McNabb should appease owner Dan Snyder plenty.    

Mel Kiper - ESPN: C-
I projected Washington to take Trent Williams with that No. 4 pick, but while I think Williams is likely the most talented offensive lineman in the draft, and should be able to go back to the left side effectively, I felt Okung was the safer pick. He was the guy most likely to take that left tackle position and solidify it from Day 1. Washington didn't pick again until No. 103 -- thanks to the Donovan McNabb trade, which factors into the grade. What also does, however, is that while they like McNabb, they get just a 2012 fourth-rounder for Jason Campbell, their starter of the past two years. So it comes down to Williams, a quarterback swap, and some linebacking and special teams depth. If Williams isn't really good, and early, this could be an empty draft in terms of added youth.

Mel Kiper has zero credibility with me left. He's a fantastic personality for TV, but he praised the JaMarcus Russell pick and of course pegged the Redskins to select Clausen despite zero tackles to protect him. Did I miss the memo of him changing his pick to Trent Williams?? Kiper is like that one friend you have when you ask if the Colts will cover against the Texans. He'll throw out stats from both sides and when the game ends, he says "I told you they were going to win!!!"

USA Today: C-
Their second-round pick was Donovan McNabb, the veteran quarterback who can drive Mike Shanahan's offense ... if the line is working. Washington took its left tackle of the present and future in Trent Williams, whose athleticism gave him the nod over Okung and fits better with the Redskins' zone-blocking schemes. They went 1-for-2 in dealing disgruntled players, finding a home for Campbell, the former starting quarterback, but not Haynesworth. 

Sporting News: C
Taking left tackle Trent Williams at No. 4 was the right move because new QB Donovan McNabb needs protection. But with no picks in the second or third round, the Redskins could not fill many holes. Now, we'll see if Albert Haynesworth, who was not traded, can be productive and happy playing nose tackle for coach Mike Shanahan.

Dallas News - Rick Gosselin: D
One pick in the first three rounds is the prescription for disaster on draft day. The Redskins got a good one in OT Williams but were left to pick up everyone else's scraps when they returned to the fray in the fourth round.    

CBSSports.com - Pete Prisco: B-
Best pick: They landed a franchise tackle in Trent Williams in the first round. He will protect the blind side for a long time.
Questionable move: Passing on taking a quarterback for the future at some point. Donovan McNabb can't play forever.
Third-day gem: Fourth-round pick Perry Riley is a linebacker who could be in the mix inside in the new 3-4 scheme. Riley was an active player at LSU.
Analysis: I like the pick of Williams in the first round and getting McNabb for the second-round pick is stealing. If you factor in the McNabb trade, they had a nice draft.

For what it's worth, my 1 cent...

Hogs Haven: B
I want to strangle Rick Gosselin for his grade. Trading a 2nd round pick for McNabb was a fantastic deal, even if the Redskins don't win a Super Bowl under him. Would you really want to groom a QB under Jason Campbell and Rex Grossman? Next year the Redskins will pick up a QB and it will be a much better situation for him. As for the low grades, Shanahan was hand-cuffed not having a 3rd or 6th round pick. If Vinny had left those for Shanahan, I'm sure things would be different. I don't like how FS or RB was not addressed. That's the real reason for my grade...but then again, there aren't too many options in the 5th+ rounds.

Perry Riley looks to be the successor to London Fletcher, more on that coming, but grooming a ILB under London is a great decision. Even if Trent Williams doesn't turn out to be the next Chris Samuels, he has experience at Center and RT, which are two areas of need anyway.