It's clear to me that two of the biggest Redskins' needs are Quarterback and Wide Receiver. The OLine and Safety positions are up there as well, but as we've seen the last two years, the Redskins simply don't have any WRs with Yards After the Catch ability. Last week, UKRedskin posted our roundtable and 2012 predictions for Hankerson. We all felt Hank could be that guy, but there's still a leap of faith from what we saw this season. Shanahan spoke with ESPN NFC East columnist, Dan Graziano, about the current WRs corps:
"We've got to get a wide receiver that's a playmaker. You've got to have a No. 1, no question about it. We've got [Santana] Moss, and [Jabar] Gaffney, who's going to be right at 1,000 yards. But you're still looking for a guy that can go the distance and make plays, running on a short shallow cross and go the distance. Everybody's looking for that."
And Hankerson's two obstacles to being the #1 guy...
"I think he's got a chance to be the guy. Health is what we don't know. He's got the hip. But we're hoping he's going to be that guy. You can see in practice where he's a natural. Big. The thing that separates guys at No. 1 is when they can beat bump coverage and they don't have to slow down to beat it. They're able to keep their speed and be able to get by somebody. He's got that."
Ah, that word "hoping." So, Hank has his off-season to do list. He'll be healthy for April OTAs, so at least Shanahan will get a feel early on Hank. WR free agents this year include, Vincent Jackson, Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Bowe, Desean Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Wes Welker, Marques Colston, Robert Meacham, and dozens more. It's safe to say, one of these guys will be brought in. Shanahan got a close look at Bowe and VJax from his coaching days in Denver.