Redskins Draft GM: 5th Round Edition

Christian Jones, ILB, FSU was the overwhelming choice in the 4th Round with 50% of the vote.  The Redskins signed Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton during free agency to try to fill the void that London Fletcher left with his retirement last year, but they are here on 1 year deals.  Jones is a little raw, and can benefit from sitting behind the vets, and then compete for the spot next to Perry Riley in 2015.

Now we're in the 5th round, and you want to take the best players on your board, regardless of position.  Running back could be an option here, but there was a big gap between the guys available in the 4th and the 5th.  The defense got addressed with an ILB last round, but the team had major issues on that side of the ball last season decade.  The 5 players (h/t Rich Tandler) listed are the 5 players at the top of the Redskins draft board going into the 5th Round.  Who is the best option to build the Redskins for the future?

2nd Round: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

3rd Round: Marcus Martin, C, USC

4th Round: Christian Jones, ILB, FSU

Brent Urban, DE, Virginia:

The Redskins defensive line is getting older, injured, and needs some fresh talent brought in to develop for the future.  The Skins big signing this year was DE Jason Hatcher from the Cowboys, but he is 32.  Stephen Bowen is still recovering from microfracture surgery, and Barry Cofield is playing at a very high level, but just turned 30.  Urban could be a steal in the 5th if he is developed properly.  He is currently ranked #145 overall by CBS Sports, and is projected to go in the 5th Round.

COMPARES TO: Tony McDaniel, Seattle Seahawks -- With his frame and athletic upside, Urban is likely to earn comparisons to anyone from J.J. Watt to last year's wunderkind Margus Hunt. However, he's neither as dynamic as the 2012 Defensive MVP nor as raw as Cincinnati's rookie. Like McDaniel, Urban has good quickness, but it is his length and power that will earn him a starting projection from 3-4 and 4-3 teams, alike.

Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty:

The Skins only brought in one new Cornerback this year.  Tracy Porter replaces Josh Wilson, and takes the slot CB spot.  That leaves a re-signed DeAngelo Hall, and 2nd year player David Amerson as the starters on the outside.  Aikens is a big corner who can sit for a year, and get used to the game at the next level.  He is currently ranked #146 overall by CBS Sports.

COMPARES TO: Keenan Lewis, New Orleans Saints - Aikens will have to work hard to develop into the consistent starter that Lewis has proven himself to be in successful stops with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Saints, but the aggression and athleticism are there to project him as a legitimate rotational player early in his career with the possibility of developing into a starter as he adjusts to the speed of the NFL.

Brock Vereen, SS, Minnesota:

The Redskins’ have questions at the safety position and that is nothing new. Ryan Clark and Sean Taylor made up the tandem at the position in 2004-2005. Clark departed via free agency in 2006 and the Redskins have not started the same duo of safeties in a season since then.

The projected starting duo for the Redskins this year is Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark, both signed to 1 year, vet minimum deals this offseason.  Phillip Thomas is coming back from injury, and will push for starting time, and Bacarri Rambo will try to improve on his 2013 performance.  Is there room for a 5th safety?  Of course there is when your starters are at the end of their careers or miss games for injury/suspension every year.  Vereen is currently ranked #141 overall by CBS Sports, and projected as a 4th-5th round prospect.

STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with balance, play speed and transitional quickness. Better than expected functional strength and works hard to disengage blocks and be a factor in the play. Uses the sideline to his advantage with very good field awareness. Quickly identifies his keys and diagnoses in a flash. High football IQ with good smarts on and off the field. High effort player and won't fall asleep at the wheel. Already carries himself like a professional. Tough and competitive in nature, getting the most out of his ability. Team leader and quick learner, taking well to coaching.

Good starting experience (36 career starts) with significant playing time at cornerback, nickelback and free safety also saw time on special teams coverage. NFL bloodlines as the younger brother of the Patriots 2011 2nd round pick running back Shane Vereen his father played receiver at UNLV and was a 9th round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1979 NFL Draft.

Hogs Haven Draft Profile: Brock Vereen

Crockett Gillmore, TE, Colorado State:

The Hogs Haven community passed on my favorite 2nd tier TE in this draft, CJ Fiederowicz in the 4th, will you go for a Tight End in the 5th?  Jordan Reed is the clear-cut starter on the Redskins, but his season was cut short last year by a severe concussion. Behind Reed, there is Logan Paulsen who is due $2.23 million this year, and Niles Paul who is more of a special teams player. He is currently ranked #138 overall by CBS Sports.  I have seen him projected between the 3rd and 5th rounds.

COMPARES TO: Jeff King, Arizona Cardinals - Gillmore isn't an elite athlete who will zip past NFL defenders, but even when he's covered closely his hand-eye coordination and big, soft mitts make him a solid short-yardage and red-zone target worthy of a roster spot.

Hogs Haven Draft Profile: Crockett Gillmore

Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama:

Is the 5th Round when the Redskins start looking at a tall WR to develop?  There should be several options in the later rounds with a deep class of receivers this year. Norwood is a tall receiver with big hands (10") that ran a 4.48 40 and had one of the top 3 cone drills at the Combine this year.  He is currently ranked #135 overall by CBS Sports and is projected to go in the 4th-5th round.

STRENGTHS: Flexible body type with adequate height and hand size. Good speed for the position with sharp footwork and leverage in his routes. Quick-starter with short-area burst. Smooth body control and excellent mid-air adjustments to twist and look the ball into his hands. Very good concentration and a natural hands-catcher. Nice awareness to locate and pluck, working back to the ball and aggressively attacking it. Never quits on his quarterback. Smart with an alert sideline sense. Knows where the sticks are. Good football character and known as a reliable option on and off the field. Positive attitude and carries himself like a professional. Already has his master?s degree.