Daily Slop: Marcus Mariota's Visit with the Redskins is Off, Is He the Draft's Biggest Domino?

Smoke screens around Mariota make him NFL draft's biggest domino - Yahoo Sports
In the grand sense of anything-can-happen, this could be a realistic scenario. But in most quarters, it doesn't fit with what many NFL sources have been saying about Mariota in recent days. Then again, the one absolute about Mariota right now is that there is no absolute about his destination later this month. While all signs point to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having zeroed in on Florida State's Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick, far fewer have certainty about Mariota. Indeed, various media reports have connected the Ducks' star quarterback to five of the top seven teams in the draft, including Tampa Bay, the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Redskins, the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears. Two other franchises – the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles – have been forwarded as potential trade suitors for Mariota as well.

25 Redskins questions: What should they expect from Jordan Reed? | Comcast SportsNet Washington
What can the Redskins expect from Jordan Reed? In his two years with the Redskins, tight end Jordan Reed has been a source of both hope and of frustration. The hope comes from his play on the field, his combination of size and speed that makes him an inviting target for the quarterback. The frustration comes from his inability to stay on the field. The team’s 2013 third-round draft pick has missed 12 of 32 games with injuries. A concussion cost him the last six games of his rookie year and a hamstring injury kept him out of five games last year. What can the Redskins look for from Reed this year?

Jay Gruden Wants To Spread Ball Around More In 2015
"The most important thing with an offense is being able to spread the ball around and get everybody involved," Gruden said at the NFL Annual Meetings in Phoenix. "I think with Pierre, Andre and Ryan Grant coming back in a second year, Jordan Reed, Niles Paul coming back, good sound running game with Alfred [Morris], Silas [Redd Jr.] and Chris Thompson, I think it’ll benefit everybody." Jackson’s game translated perfectly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., as the seven-year veteran continued to be the deep threat that strikes fear in secondaries, recording 1,169 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.

Washington Redskins draft prospects: Virginia pass-rusher Eli Harold - Washington Redskins Blog - ESPN
How he fits: Harold would be an edge rusher and would need to develop against the run to become a full-time player. I’m not sold on him – not sure the film matched the workouts -- but my opinion doesn’t matter. So if they drafted Harold, he likely would be used as a third outside linebacker in nickel situations. If the Redskins drafted him in the second round, that would be good value. I was not wowed by him, but he has qualities that can be developed.

Reassessing the Washington Redskins: Outside linebacker - Washington Redskins Blog - ESPN
Better or worse: Same as they were at the end of the season, worse than they were at the beginning of 2014. However, I doubt they’re done at this position, so check back in a couple months for a definitive answer. One change I know some players did not like: Getting rid of outside linebackers coach Brian Baker. It was somewhat understandable considering new coordinator Joe Barry has coached linebackers for a long time. They also retained Kirk Olivadotti. But Kerrigan in particular really liked Baker and felt he helped develop his pass-rush skills. That’s not to say Barry won’t do the same, but it is to say Kerrigan liked Baker. A big key will be Murphy’s development. He did not win to the outside at all, even during camp. But he did show pass-rush moves. Even if they add another rusher, Murphy will rush quite a bit -- both from a standup position and with his hand down. There is definite room for improvement in his game. The other players showed flashes, but they need more depth. Oh, and Sapp is the only real addition thus far and he's a former fifth-round pick in 2010 by Philadelphia with zero career sacks and 17 career games.

Redskins draft board: Inside linebacker | Comcast SportsNet Washington
McCloughan did not, however, add any inside linebackers. In fact, I don’t recall the Redskins being linked to any free agents, either. Does that mean McCloughan, after studying film from the 2014 season, views inside linebacker as a low priority in the near term? Perhaps. But it could also mean McCloughan intends to address the position via the draft.

25 Redskins questions: What is expected from the draft class of 2014? | Comcast SportsNet Washington
What can we expect from the 2014 draft class? Jay Gruden’s first draft class produced a couple of hits, some question marks and a few whiffs. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland and outside linebacker Trent Murphy showed promise after being forced into the starting lineup due to injuries. Offensive tackle Morgan Moses also made one start, but his rookie campaign cut short by injury. Wide receiver Ryan Grant has good work ethic but wasn’t used extensively. Offensive guard Spencer Long was essentially redshirted, playing only 18 snaps on offense. Meantime, running back Lache Seastrunk, tight end Ted Bolser and kicker Zach Hocker failed to make the roster. So, what do the early returns indicate?

OPEN THREAD: If Redskins are looking for a free agent RB, is Ridley good fit? | Comcast SportsNet Washington
Enter Ahmad Bradshaw. An eight-year veteran that spent six years with the Giants before joining Indianapolis, Bradshaw knows the requirements of pass protection that often trip up young running backs. All three Washington RBs, Morris included, struggle in pass pro, and with the injuries to Robert Griffin III in his three years in the NFL, protecting the passer needs to be important.

25 Redskins questions: What will the cornerback depth chart look like? | Comcast SportsNet Washington
What will the Redskins’ cornerback depth chart look like? The Redskins’ cornerback group got a nice infusion of talent last year when Bashaud Breeland emerged as an effective playmaker in the secondary. The unit was further bolstered last month when the team added former 49er Chris Culliver. Things could get a little better if veteran DeAngelo Hall, who suffered from a twice-torn Achilles tendon last fall, can bounce back. The team also has 2013 second-round pick David Amerson and veteran Tracy Porter. It would be an exaggeration to say that the team has an embarrassment of riches at the position now but at least at this point the depth chart looks fairly loaded.

Dolphins a possible partner for a Redskins trade, unless they’re not | Comcast SportsNet Washington
The Dolphins are making inquiries into moving up in the draft to take a playmaking wide receiver, according to a report by Rob Rang of CBS Sports. If they want to do that there is a good chance that they have talked to someone at Redskins Park about making a deal.

Seven-round Redskins mock draft: Here’s one way it could play out - The Washington Post
Before I was put on the clock, drafting as the Redskins, the simulator played out the first four picks as many expect them to go. Tampa Bay took quarterback Jameis Winston first overall, with Marcus Mariota following him to the Titans at two. The Jaguars took pass rusher Vic Beasley with the third pick and the Raiders snapped up Southern California defensive tackle Leonard Williams at four.

Robert Griffin III: 'We're Going To Put The Work In'
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III made it clear during his appearance on "Redskins Nation" Tuesday that the focus is on what’s ahead. "We learned our lessons and we want to move forward this year and be successful," Griffin III told Larry Michael, Voice of the Redskins. "We don’t come to this offseason program and work as hard as we do to go out there and not succeed. I know the guys are going to come with a mindset, ready to go, take last year, move along from it."

Need to Know: What is the Redskins biggest need after free agency? | Rich Tandler's Real Redskins
I’m going to give you an answer that will surprise you. I think their biggest need in the draft is the one that just addressed via a trade. The Redskins desperately need to find a free safety in the draft.

NFL executive: Marcus Mariota could tumble like Aaron Rodgers - NFL.com
According to one NFL personnel man, the Jets' interest had better be high, for Mariota's sake. "If [Mariota] doesn't go in the top six picks, he could do an Aaron Rodgers," the source told Yahoo Sports.

Why Getting a Trade for Griffin or Cousins Would be Tough - Fanspeak.com