If you’re anything like me (read: extremely weird), Draft Day is almost like Christmas — where months of speculation, rumors, and mock drafting culminates into several heart-pounding moments of either utter joy or total disappointment. It could mean the difference between the Redskins adding the next Sean Taylor or the next Devin Thomas (who?). It’s when the final pieces for the upcoming season fall into place and we have a real idea of what our team is going to look like in the fall.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the next few days for me is feeling connected and plugged into the Redskins community as we ride this roller coaster of emotion together. In case you aren’t already following, reading, or listening to the guys below, I’ve compiled a short list of who I think the essential sources you need to pay attention to. Let me know in the comments if you think I’ve left anyone out!
John Keim
Keim is ESPN’s NFL Nation reporter on the Redskins and is one of the most well-respected and connected guys in the local media. You can follow up-to-the-minute news from him on Twitter @john_keim, or listen to his new (really good) podcast The John Keim Report.
JP Finlay / Redskins Talk Podcast
JP Finlay covers the Redskins for NBC Sports Washington and is quickly becoming a top voice in the local sports media. He’s a great follow on Twitter @JPFinlayNBCS (I believe he’ll be in Nashville all weekend covering the draft) and his Redskins Talk podcast releases several new episodes a week. NBC Sports also launched an app to watch live streams of their shows, interviews, and podcasts, MyTeams, which you can download in both app stores.
HogsHaven
This wouldn’t be a list if it didn’t include us, right? The website will be updated all weekend with every pick and trade, plus analysis from the whole team of writers. Ken and the crew will be going live from Caddie’s on Cordell in Bethesda Thursday night at 7:30pm, which you can watch on HogsHaven.com or on 1st Amendment Sports YouTube channel. Also make sure to follow us on Twitter @HogsHaven for real-time analysis and reactions.
RedskinsToday
The only Redskins news account I follow on Instagram (@redskinstoday), he’s sometimes the fastest place to drop news and rumors and aggregates info from a bunch of different sources. Very good follow, definitely helps me stay up to date if I’m not on Twitter. If you are, though, you can also follow him there @redskinstoday_.
Chris Cooley / Cooley At The Park
Cooley isn’t as active on Twitter anymore, but he may have the best Redskins-oriented podcast out there in Cooley At The Park. His breakdown and analysis of the team, draft prospects and state of the NFL is second-to-none. Cooley is also connected with many coaches and players on the team, so he has direct insight into what the Redskins are thinking.