National Football League

Washington Redskins offseason analysis

Published May. 5, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Pre-draft needs

WR, QB, RT, G, OLB, CB, RB, DE, ILB

Draft class

Round 1: Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB
Round 2: Jarvis Jenkins, DL
Round 3: Leonard Hankerson, WR
Round 4: Roy Helu, RB
Round 5: Dejon Gomes, S
Round 5: Niles Paul, WR
Round 6: Evan Royster,RB
Round 6: Aldrick Robinson, WR
Round 7: Brandyn Thompson, DB
Round 7: Maurice Hurt, G
Round 7: Markus White, DE/OLB
Round 7: Chris Neild, NT

Potential free agents of note

Rex Grossman, QB
Santana Moss, WR
Stephon Heyer, RT
Jammal Brown, OT
Kedric Golston, DL
Chris Wilson, DE/OLB
Rocky McIntosh, ILB
Carlos Rogers, CB
Phillip Buchanon, CB
Reed Doughty, S

Post-draft needs

QB, RT, CB, OLB, G, DE, ILB, WR

Analysis

The Redskins addressed several needs in the draft, but they still have more work to do in free agency to be a competitive team.

While Kerrigan will be expected to start in his rookie season, personnel evaluators question whether he’ll be able to make the successful transition to outside linebacker from playing with his hand down in college. The Redskins, despite the selection of Kerrigan, need to add more depth to the position.

Jenkins should be able to compete right away for a starting job opposite veteran end Adam Carriker. If the team is able to re-sign Golston, the Redskins could put together a pretty good threesome of ends for defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s 3-4 two-gap defensive scheme.

The Redskins, however, still need to address two more positions on defense.

Inside linebacker, with starter London Fletcher turning 36 soon and the veteran McIntosh unsigned, lacks proper depth. The Redskins did not address the position at all in the draft.

With the likelihood the team passes on re-signing veteran cornerback Rogers, that would leave an opening in the starting lineup opposite veteran DeAngelo Hall. The expectation is the team will be looking toward free agency to replace Rogers.

On offense, many were surprised the Redskins didn’t select a quarterback in the draft, considering all the speculation they will trade or release veteran Donovan McNabb. The only other quarterback left on the roster is John Beck, whom the team is actually high on.

Beck was thought to be a good fit for the West Coast scheme — the one the Redskins use — when he came out of BYU in 2007. It’s possible the Redskins will have some interest in veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck if he winds up not re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks. Hasselbeck has played his entire 13-year career in the West Coast scheme.

While wide receiver was a huge Redskins need before the draft, the additions of Hankerson, Paul and Robinson should help. All three should contribute this season. If the team is unable to re-sign Moss, they’ll need to replace him with another veteran.

Also, the team will need to address guard and right tackle. Heyer, who is capable of playing guard or right tackle, is unsigned but could be back depending on the rules for free agency. Though he started 13 games at right tackle last season, Heyer is unsigned. The team has no viable replacement for him.

There seems to be some speculation that starting center Casey Rabach could become a free agent, but a source confirmed he would have to repay his entire $4.2 signing bonus to void the remaining two seasons of his deal.