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We're through one week of the playoffs, but the Redskins are more worried about finding a new Defensive Coordinator and personnel man. Both of these jobs will have a direct impact on what the team does in this year's draft. Wade Phillips is considered the frontrunner for the DC job which likely means the Redskins will continue to run the 3-4. Will they focus on fixing the unit that allowed the highest QBR to opposing QBs since the rating was created?
The Redskins are reportedly planning on offering A.J. Smith an "enhanced" role with the team this year. He has been consulting for the team the last two years, but there has been very little information on how much influence he has had in the past two drafts. Who has he scouted/recommended?
Yesterday, reports came out that the Redskins were not finished trying to improve the scouting/personnel department. Former San Francisco 49ers GM and Seattle Seahawks Executive Scot McCloughan was reportedly contacted about a top executive position with the team. McCloughan reportedly wants full control as GM and has already turned down one job offer with the Raiders because they would not meet his requirements. Will Bruce Allen take the Team President role and allow Scot McCloughan the full control he needs to rebuild the team?
We should get some answers this week, but for now here is Gil Brandt's list of needs and the best available seniors at those positions for the Redskins:
5. Washington Redskins
2014 record: 4-12 (.496)
Top three needs: Pass rusher, DB, OT
Analysis: The Redskins have a lot of issues on defense, starting with a pass rusher and ending with a safety -- positions that were never addressed adequately last offseason. Jason Hatcher hasn't worked out and Brian Orakpo can't stay healthy. Their offensive skill positions are set, but can Robert Griffin III stay healthy, and if so, can he be a longterm solution? If the answer to those questions is no, add quarterback to the list.
Top-rated seniors at positional needs: Pass rusher: Vic Beasley (Clemson), Alvin Dupree (Kentucky), Owamagbe Odighizuwa (UCLA); CB: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon), Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest), Byron Jones (UConn); S: Derron Smith (Fresno State), Kurtis Drummond (Michigan State), Durell Eskridge (Michigan State); OT: Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M), La'el Collins (LSU)
And what you really came to see, who are the "experts" projecting to the Washington Redskins at the 5th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
For Washington, let's assume they don't like any of the top offensive tackles this highly and Brian Orakpo will walk in free agency. Beasley could be brought in and quickly become the team's lead pass rusher.
Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford)
It was very tempting to go with Shane Ray here. But, I decided to protect their QB ... whoever that is. Unless he announces that he is going to stay in school, Peat is my top pure tackle on the board, and he'll make a ridiculous bookend with Trent Williams.
Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford)
Assuming RG3 is still the franchise quarterback for the Redskins then you have to keep him upright and healthy. That means building up the offensive front. Washington could decide among all the offensive line prospects. Here I go with the guy I believe fits the best - Andrus Peat from Stanford. This is a very big and athletic tackle that just needs some refinement. Much will depend on who's making the calls in D.C. Will it be this regime or another new one for the Redskins?
Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Redskins could use offensive line help and safety. I'm not convinced Bruce Allen would draft a safety this high though. His track record is linemen and corners in the first round with safeties something to target later on. Plus, the Redskins are getting good value with an awesome offensive lineman.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pounder has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness and athleticism. Flowers doesn't get a lot of publicity, but don't be surprised if he becomes a hot prospect. Flowers played extremely well in 2014. After missing a few games because of a torn meniscus, he came back in impressive fashion against Florida State. Flowers also had an impressive game against Nebraska taking on Randy Gregory. For the year, Flowers was a very consistent run-blocker for Duke Johnson and pass-protector. Flowers is shockingly fast and agile for such a big and strong blocker who can bully defensive linemen.
In 2013 as a sophomore, Flowers took the left tackle job from Seantrel Henderson. In his true freshman season, Flowers was a backup who started four games.
Pick change; previously Ronnie Stanley, OT
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Redskins are passing on Shane Ray for a slightly inferior prospect, but they're set at outside linebacker. Also, they haven't been able to protect very well. It's highly disconcerting that third-round rookie Morgan Moses hasn't been able to find his way into the starting lineup despite the team's issues at right tackle. Moses finally started at San Francisco, and he was abysmal.
There's talk that Andrus Peat will return to school, whereas Ronnie Stanley, who has been incredible this year, asked the draft advisory committee for his projected grade.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top 10 talent, but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
The Redskins are a mess right now and could go in several directions with this pick, but with Brian Orakpo set to hit free agency, a pass rusher could be high on the wish list. Gregory's functional strength is a question mark, but his hand use, burst and easy change of direction skills are enticing.
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Randy Gregory is an athletic freak as an outside linebacker. Since he is a lanky 6'6", many scouts believe he can add up to 40 pounds to his current playing weight of 245 lbs. Gregory was slowed in the national spotlight against USC (Holiday Bowl), but the Trojans had three (THREE!) offensive players assigned to Gregory on each play. If an NFL offense is going to need that much help stopping Gregory's lightning-quick first step and uncanny awareness, then Ryan Kerrigan will feast on single blocks in 2015 and beyond.
Alternate Picks: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson; Dante Fowler, Jr., OT, Miami
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Pass Rusher isn't a huge need for the Redskins, but with the fifth pick Randy Gregory is too good to pass up. I'm sure the Redskins would love to get offensive line help with this pick, but there probably isn't one worth taking this high. Brian Orakpo will likely leave in free agency and Randy Gregory gives them the best pass rusher in the draft. Quite frankly the Redskins have too many needs to draft for need this high in the draft. Just take the best player and move on.
Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Washington has needs across the board but is in the sort of position where it wouldn't hurt to grab the most talented overall player. If Randy Gregory happens to fall to the Redskins at No. 5, they won't be able to pass him up. It's unclear whether Gregory will be thriving as a defensive end or linebacker, but he'll be making an instant impact either way.
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Is there a worse team to be a fan of than the Washington Redskins? At least Lions and Browns fans are used to their teams letting them down, but Dan Snyder gives Redskins fans just enough flashes of excitement to always keep hope alive. The root of their problems is off the field, but there sure are a heck of a lot of problems on it too. Maybe one of the most pressing is their safety play which has consistently been among the worst units in the league for the last few years. Alabama's Landon Collins is a do-everything safety who range in coverage from sideline to sideline and also be a consistent finisher in run support. He would go a long way to reducing their frequent defensive breakdowns.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Redskins seem to have opened up to the possibility of getting rid of Robert Griffin III and likely need his replacement. While his Rose Bowl performance was shockingly bad, Winston is still the second best quarterback in this year's class (if he declares). Winston is more of a pro-style passer than Griffin was coming out of college and is also a fellow Heisman winner. It would be interesting to see if Jay Gruden is able to develop him.