THE REDSKINS SELECT......

              

#9 - CB CARLOS ROGERS, AUBURN

Maybe not the player we all thought would be picked here....but certainly the position. Even with WR Mike Williams available at the #9 slot, the Skins stuck to their guns and picked CB Carlos Rogers out of Auburn.

Rogers was the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award winner [top defensive back] and hold’s Auburn’s record for pass deflections. Though many people, including me, had Adam Jones or Antrell Rolle rated higher than Rogers....Gibbs and his staff felt he was the top corner in the draft.  He is considered very bright and uses his athletic ability effectively.  Opponents only completed 27% of their passes thrown to his assignment.  His closing speed allows him to give up some ground while his jumping ability causes incompletions. 

              

#25 - QB JASON CAMPBELL, AUBURN

Not much of a surprise here. When word came down that the Redskins acquired Denver’s first round pick...rumor also was that the Skins were targeting Campbell.

Campbell was the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year. He’s a bright, smart QB who also has the ability to move around the pocket and pick up some yardage if needed. Also, black quarterbacks wearing the #17 are kind of loved around DC.

REMAINING DRAFT PICKS:  Fourth Round [#11 pick], Sixth Round [#9 pick], Seventh Round [#8 pick]

                         

#120 - FB MANUEL WHITE JR, UCLA

White will serve as a special teams guy and H-back for Gibbs.  He has the ability to carry the ball at times and to be a lead blocker.  Hemay get most of his reps in the red zone as a blocker or as a guy to punch the ball in. 

                            

#154 -  LB ROBERT MCCUNE, LOUISVILLE

McCune was Louisville's "Special Teamer of the Year" and will most likely serve in that aspect.  He'll also replace Antonio Pierce as a backup inside linebacker.  He's also served 3 years in the US Army.

                      

#183 - LB JARED NEWBERRY, STANFORD

Newberry is a highly intelligent player who will also compete for a special teams and inside linebacker spot for the Skins.

                           

#222 - FB NEHEMIAH BROUGHTON, THE CITADEL

Broughton will also serve as a special teams guy.  A tough kid who apparantly earned Earnest Byner's praise, Broughton will be another guy that could come in and be a key special teamer.

OTHER DRAFT NEWS....

*Just a week ago, Aaron Rodgers was set to be the top pick in the draft.  Instead, he fell to 24th in the draft.  Why the amazing drop?  Well, the Niners fell in love with Alex Smith.  Then, a bunch of running backs that were much safer picks were made.  After the Buccaneers picked Cadillac with their #5 pick, there really was no one that was in dire need of a QB.  Not until #24, where the Packers have been looking everywhere for Brett Favre's replacement.  They may have found one. 

*The Vikings did very well for themselves this offseason. Not only did they make some key free agent signings to an awful defense [Fred Smoot], they also dealt away headache Randy Moss and replaced him with another speedster in Troy Williamson.  Erasmus James fell into their lap later in the round...which adds more talent to a young defensive line.  Minnesota will be a team to watch next season.

*What are the Denver Broncos doing?  With their first three picks of the day...they took cornerbacks.  Yeah, all three picks on corners.  What is that?  Just a year ago, they traded for Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey.  Then, to make it worse, with the final pick in the third round, the take Maurice Clarett.  This is a guy that was a 5th rounder at best....maybe undrafted.  And they take him on day one.  Amazing. 

*For the first time since 1993, a Heisman Trophy winner was not drafted.  Oklahoma'sJason White, won won the 2003 Heisman, went undrafted and hopes to latch on to a team as a free agent.  In 1993, Florida State QB Charlie Ward went undrafted, but still has an NBA career.

*White wasn't the only big name QB that went undrafted.  Hawaii's Timmy Chang, the all-time passing leader, went undrafted as well.  Hey, Skins, give him a call.

*USC had their QB drafted.  Uh...no, Matt Leinart will still be playing for the Trojans this fall.  His backup, Matt Cassell, was drafted in the 7th round by the Patriots.

*Three Tar Heels were selected in this draft.  Jason Brown [C] went in the 4th round to Baltimore.  Gerald Sensabaugh [S] went in the 5th round to Jacksonville.  Madison Hedgecock [FB] went in the 7th round to St. Louis.  Carolina QB Darian Durant was not drafted