The man, the myth, the hair. It's pretty clear the Redskins had a solid 2011 draft. They turned six picks into twelve and every single player made the team or practice squad. Excluding Jarvis Jenkins' pre-season IR injury, every single one of the 12 players was on the active roster at one point and contributing. It'll be interesting to see how many of these guys beat out the competition next year. All that said, I gave the Redskins an "A" simply for netting six extra picks and avoiding drafting a QB. Locker, Ponder, Gabbert have not impressed, which means the Redskins would have been in a world of hurt. Enough on my opinion, here's what Mel Kiper had to say revisited:
Post-draft grade: C+
Summary: This felt like a novelty -- a Redskins draft with a ton of picks. The story of this draft was the fact that Washington didn't see a quarterback it wanted. Given the returns in the range in which the Redskins would have picked, it looks like a good calculation, at least in the short term. Only moving way down the board and ending up with Dalton could have looked better. Instead, the Redskins traded down, got Ryan Kerrigan at No. 16 and really aced the pick. Kerrigan picked up 7.5 sacks and played exactly as his draft projection had him pegged. Round 2 pick Jarvis Jenkins never saw the field because of injury, but both running back picks, Roy Helu and Evan Royster, played well when given the time, and I still think Leonard Hankerson has a chance to develop. Maurice Hurt looks like a seventh-round keeper. Having a lot of picks can help; it certainly helped this grade rise over the course of the season.
New grade: B
Only a B? This is where I'd get the Andy Dufresne nerves to tell Kiper, "How can you be so obtuse?" Kiper's response:
0 recs | 129 comments
didn’t agree w/ the initial C+ but i think he’s on point w/ the B
TheUberest - January 12, 2012
It certainly seems like a fair grade for now…I’ll take a B, with hopes that Jenkins play next year and Helu becoming our #1 RB will turn this into an A!
OvechkinGR8 - January 12, 2012
agree...I think we as redskins fan think of this class as "A" quality because of our belief in jenkins' potential
but I think its a fair assessment from an outsider looking in to grade it a B range until that potential is realized (for all these rookies)
atark001 - January 12, 2012
haha agreed
I also think Skins fans think it is an A b/c there are more than 4 guys to talk about
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
for sure
the quantity of the picks alone had me stoked coming into the season haha, and it seems we got good quality as well…hopefully we get another bounty like this in the upcoming draft
atark001 - January 12, 2012
+1
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
Niles Paul
did some wonderful blocking all year…
ptowny - January 12, 2012
well he was one of our best special teams players
which in and of itself, great value for a rookie 5th rounder.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
Very BOLD prediction for next season
700+ yards and 5 touchdowns
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
That's VERY bold...
I expect him to be our 4th or 5th receiver next year behind Moss, Hankerson, Gaffney and Potential Playmaking FA
ptowny - January 12, 2012
Enter:
Bowe
Ronnie Adkins - January 12, 2012
He's going to break on the scene similiar to Cruz
Just not as explosive
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
Thats EXTREMELY bold
But I’d love it
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
similiar
as in injuries help give him a shot and he makes the most of it.
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
we haven't had a draft this good in years
So obviously we’re going to grade it higher than outsiders
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
hes got really cool hair
thatdudepete - January 12, 2012
Thats Hair?
I thought he was wearing a helmet.
OakCityRam - January 12, 2012
Hey Rams fan! What do you think the Rams will do in the draft?
Do you like Bradford?
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
I think he’s hoping we give them a shit ton of picks for Bradford and they draft RG3
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
If the Colts take Luck
We will have an auction for RG3. It’s going to be you, browns, and vikes all bidding for a QB. Sam will be fine if we use all those traded picks to get a real O-line and Blackmon.
OakCityRam - January 12, 2012
say bye bye to blackmon if you give up number Two
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
well
not if the Vikings are in the bidding as he suggets…which I do NOT think is likely…and the Vikes have big holes everywhere else and probably can’t afford to spend consecutive 1st rounders on QBs
Bullet Nation in Exile - January 12, 2012
Agreed
I think they give Ponder at least another year to determine what he brings to the team, plus next years crop of QB’s is supposed to be deeper than this years.
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
That's what people have been saying for the last four years....
ENsDad27 - January 12, 2012
The underclassmen returning killed this one.
Omaha Sun - January 12, 2012
That happens every year tho
Two years ago it was Jake Locker returning, last year it was Andrew Luck, this year it is Matt Barkley. I think the Redskins need to stop waiting for “next year” when some magical QB fairy will come & drop off the perfect “can’t miss franchise” QB in their lap & go ahead & make the decision to go after an elite signal caller.
ENsDad27 - January 13, 2012
I google imaged "magical QB fairy and found this"
Jim America - January 15, 2012
Okay we trade with
Cleveland who is picking 4th, then we get blackmon or Kalil.
OakCityRam - January 13, 2012
Enjoy
Kevin, enjoy your time in solitary and remember, you still have the warden’s taxes to do.
redskins-texas-fan - January 12, 2012
I'm severly confused by this apparent Shawshank reference
mbedner - January 12, 2012
me to dragon
me to
Bullet Nation in Exile - January 12, 2012
that is in response to Kevin's Andy Dufresne reference...not sure why Shawshank was brought up in the first place but that is another story
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
cheers!
Bullet Nation in Exile - January 12, 2012
I think it is a fair grade considering our 2nd rounder missed the entire year and our 3rd rounder missed half the year
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
SOOOUUUUP!
Jim America - January 12, 2012
haha
Steve Shoup - January 13, 2012
B is a good grade that I agree with
Another good draft would be great for the Skins. Heres hoping.
The Red End - January 12, 2012
I've always wondered, how do you become a mock draft expert?
This guy makes a living guessing what players teams will pick and how good they will be.
Then when he’s dead wrong he retroactively flip-flops. I hate Mel Kiper.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012 via mobile
of all the draft "experts"
todd mcshay is the one I despise the most
atark001 - January 12, 2012
I'd like to know myself
Especially since he watches film with Cerrato regularly in Baltimore.
Kevin Ewoldt - January 12, 2012
(case in point…they both demanded Redskins should take Clausen at #4)
Kevin Ewoldt - January 12, 2012
Everybody knew Clausen was horrible.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
Not so sure about Danny.
Kevin Ewoldt - January 12, 2012
i remember that
damn….never thought about it till’ now. that really hurts his credibility in my book
TheUberest - January 12, 2012
remember when the old colts' GM went all irate on kiper in one interview after a draft, ha
atark001 - January 12, 2012
that was awesome...though Kiper was right no that one Trev Alberts was awful
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
haha very true
i thought it was interesting last year when either shanahan or allen said that they actually use these mock drafts in their war room scenarios…like if the first five picks were to play out in such and such a way, then who would we pick at 6th
atark001 - January 12, 2012
I would say, "who does Kiper have going to us?"
Then mark that guy off my list.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
haha, even if he picked Griffin?!?!
atark001 - January 12, 2012
Probably.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
Kiper doesn't do mocks until the last minute right?
I thought he just graded players in order
ptowny - January 12, 2012
i agree with that approach though I think it is important to look at every view point
though i’d suggest weighing them appropriately. I’m not a huge fan of Todd McShay (though will say they’ve been a lot better over the last year or two), but am of Tony Pauline. So when i was reading before the season that Pauline thought Landry Jones was the most overrated QB and Scouts Inc. was in love with him, it made me question my own preconceived notion. And I started watching every single game of his and started to really see his flaws.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
interesting
I haven’t heard of Tony Pauline, I’ll have to check him out, thanks
atark001 - January 12, 2012
he's the Sports Illustrated guy
been around for years
Steve Shoup - January 13, 2012
When it comes to ranking pro-prospects by position it seems there is some validity. The story
changes when players are ranked in the “big boards.” Ranking the top 32 players is ambitious, but the top 200
is a guessing game. Yet it is easier than long range weather forecasting.
Jefferson1935 - January 12, 2012
Pretty sure his degree
Is in meteorology
CJHutch - January 12, 2012
If not it's in cosmotology
WestCoastHokie - January 12, 2012
Maurice hurt looks like a seventh round keeper
on the practice squad.
Brutus89 - January 12, 2012
Thought Nield was a bigger success out of the 7th round.
wuds100 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Nield Bigger success than what credit was given
much agreed, wish he had been used more. Can he block?
RiggoPosse - January 12, 2012
i think hurt earned a spot on the 53 man roster
got good experience this year, and should be a valuable depth asset and spot starter
atark001 - January 12, 2012
+1
WestCoastHokie - January 12, 2012
yeah that comment did make any sense
what exactly did Hurt do that one would say ’he’s a keeper’. I get that he was in a tough situation, but he struggled BIG TIME, you def. bring him to camp and see if he has gotten better, but his job is def. not safe.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
Like wuds said, I thought Neild flashed way more this season. Kiper also didn’t mention the potential of Jenkins and the facts that Gomes and Paul saw playing time as rookies is good for them as players. Good for our team is another question, but they personally gained experience.
I don’t care much for Kiper, he’s able to make a living because of ballsy predictions and his goofy look. The guy looks like a character out of Jerry McQuire more than anything else.
Brutus89 - January 12, 2012
This is what will happen draft day.
The phone rings (riiiinnngggg)
“Hello.”
“Bruce, it’s Jerry.”
“What’s up shit lips?”
“We really want Dre Kirkpatrick.”
“Oh reallllllyyyyyyyyy?”
“Well, let’s trade spots. give me your second rounder and Laurent Robinson.”
“Done deal.”
We take Foles in the Cowboys’ spot.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
You got it all wrong man
You gotta screw them out of as many picks as possible. You gotta take their 2nd and 4th this year and their 1st next year with Robinson lol
terpsallday - January 12, 2012
agreed...no way we fall that many spots
for only a 2nd rounder and a WR that wouldn’t make our practice squad
ptowny - January 12, 2012
What?
Robinson would immediately be one of if not our best receiver.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Why do you say that?
He’s been on 4 teams in 5 years…that doesn’t show me anything
His best year was his rookie season where he had 37 catches with 1 TD.
I know you like to get behind every Redskins player 2000%, but don’t jump the shark on a proven unproven. Let him have a 80-100 catch season and then I’ll be willing to debate he would immediately be our best receiver.
ptowny - January 12, 2012
He had a really good year with the Cowboys last year.
Check your stizats.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Check YOUR stiztas
He had 34 receptions and 2 TDs with the Rams last year
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
You spelled it wrong.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I checked 'em...
he still sucks.
haha, he had a 4 game stint where the starters were hurt and he got to be a top target. Dallas does a good job of throwing to their receivers, it’s something we haven’t done well in forever. If Robinson was on this team, he’d be lucky to get 15 catches, 175 yards and 1 TD in a season.
ptowny - January 12, 2012
He sucked
on the Rams, I wouldn’t give anything for him.
OakCityRam - January 12, 2012
Young players can't get better?
crap, better cut Paul then cause he’s peaked at 25 yards per season.
Mr. E - January 12, 2012
Man you love the flash in the pan guys, there is a reason Robinson has played for 4 different teams the last 4 years
Parks Smith - January 12, 2012
Not to mention he got cut from the Cowboys last year...
he only got resigned because of injuries. I’d rather bring Malcolm Kelly into camp again than Robinson
ptowny - January 12, 2012
I was shocked every time I heard he scoered a TD.
Omaha Sun - January 12, 2012
I get that people might be overvaluing him here
but he’s obviously light years better than Malcolm Kelly
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
Yes, especially considering Malcolm Kelly isnt in the league anymore
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
and couldn't get on the field
when he was
travisjh86 - January 12, 2012
It was only part of my trade scenario.
Leave the hate at the door.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012 via mobile
That means nothing.
He finally got his opportunity and stepped up when Austin went down and became a go to guy for the Cowboys. Something i can’t say about any Redskins WR worth keeping…
LA11 - January 12, 2012
He didn't get an opportunity in STL?
Parks Smith - January 12, 2012
He wasn't healthy.
LA11 - January 12, 2012
He started 14 games?
Parks Smith - January 12, 2012
I said he wasn't healthy not that he didn't play. Like a couple redskins we know.
LA11 - January 12, 2012
I partially agree
I think you’re right, Robinson DID step up and seize his opportunity. I just think that most would argue that he isn’t a special receiver…he’s just a guy playing with a good QB (Romo), and in an offense that has some really dangerous weapons (Dez and Jason Witten) to take a lot of the defenses focus away
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
Then what happened to Roy Williams?
He was a better WR before playing for the Cowboys but bottomed out playing alongside Romo.
LA11 - January 12, 2012
He obviously wasn't as good as he was thought to be
Also, you can argue Romo has improved greatly since Roy Williams left
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
Maybe Laurent Robinson = Anthony Armstong ??
WestCoastHokie - January 12, 2012
Laurent Robinson = Jaques Green
Their stats are almost identical….except Green’s are better in a shorter period of time
ptowny - January 12, 2012
AA got shafted with a weak arm
AA will have a heck of a year if we get a qb that can throw the ball. His asset is his speed. He has to slow down and wait for Regrossbomb to get the ball too him which were 9 out of 10 times under thrown.
RiggoPosse - January 12, 2012
Not exactly.
EVERYTIME AA lined up outside the opposing team jamed him. There was finally gametape on hiim…hence Shanny saying if you can’t beat press coverage then you’ll be a coach. AA can’t beat press coverage.
Diesel44 - January 12, 2012
Art Monk couldn't beat press coverage for a long time.
We ran him in motion basically his entire rookie year. Hopefully, whoever replaces McCardell will excel at developing receivers as well.
Jim America - January 12, 2012
What's missing is that Art Monk was a 1st RD pick and a stud coming out of 'Cuse..
while AA is a 5’10 nothing that is 28 with good speed BUT nothing else. I like you Jim America but if you ever compare Monk to AA, I’ll have to reconsider.
Diesel44 - January 12, 2012
Wasn't comparing them
Just pointing out that there are ways to scheme around a player’s weaknesses.
Jim America - January 12, 2012
and that is a good thing?
Steve Shoup - January 13, 2012
i heard Ryan tannehil is getting surgery
Does that effect our draft at all for those who wanted to trade back?
no more kwame's in dc - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Just a fracture in his foot. The inability to participate in draft lead-up events may hurt him from rising as much as he could, but there’s no way I think he falls past the 2nd. Depends on his interviews I suppose, but he sounds like a smart kid.
Brutus89 - January 12, 2012
yeah i think it will set him back some.
The combine and workouts are usually what makes or breaks a player
no more kwame's in dc - January 12, 2012 via mobile
i just wrote a fan post on it, but no it doesn't change my opinion
in fact trading back might be even a more viable strategy since he’s pretty likely to be in the 2nd round.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
As Redskins fans, we want his stock to fall because of this foot injury.
Brutus89 - January 12, 2012
haha and i put that in my fanpost
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
so you guys don't think it will be a problem at all?
no more kwame's in dc - January 12, 2012 via mobile
not long term I don’t think. Drafting him, he may need a little time before he’s able to throw in OTAs, but I can’t see why a foot fracture now would inhibit him come training camp.
Brutus89 - January 12, 2012
no not for his development or talent
the only real issue is since he has only been a starter for a year and a half, that week at the Senior Bowl would have been huge in not only helping his draft stock, but with allowing teams to feel more confident drafting him. (the Combine as well, but Senior Bowl week is more valuable).
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
so does every other team
that needs a QB
prc805 - January 12, 2012
Kiper should suck it
Our post draft grade was based solely on the fact that he thought we should take a QB at 10. When guys like him and McShay are wrong they take it as a personal offense. They have no clue what direction Shanny is going and the only teams that get high marks are the ones these tools guess right on.
64ShagginWagon - January 12, 2012
that is my problem as well too often they look at drafts in a vacuum or at a certain pick
them not realizing that a team like the Redskins that was desperate for talent at just about every position last offseason, that trading back is good thing is extremely short sided.
I get that there was a real question mark at QB, but by trading back the Skins filled OLB, RB, WR, and got a depth WR and Guard.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
I still wish we would have took Josh Portis or Greg McElroy in the 7th
Neild and Hurt turned out fine…but one of those 2 guys probably would have gotten a shot to outshine Beck and probably earned some playing time
ptowny - January 12, 2012
can't disagree with you there
i would have probably looked to take a guard with that Robinson pick, and then a QB in the 7th.
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
Hindsight
TJ Yates woulda been nice in OUR draft spot.
CJHutch - January 12, 2012
If he took it as personal offense then why would he write a whole article reevaluating his original opinion and admitting he was wrong on nearly every grade?
Parks Smith - January 12, 2012
Read what he wrote
Even in his reassessment he says if we took Dalton we would have a higher grade. Go look at all of our draft grades from last year. I believe all but one or two “experts” gave us low grades soley based on not taking a QB. Most didn’t even grade the players we took.
Kiper also disreguarded Paul, Gomes, and Nield all of who had major contributions during the season. He hammered all of those guys and said Helu was a major reach in the fourth.
His whole tone is “I was wrong fuck you.”
64ShagginWagon - January 12, 2012
They can't be offended...
no one ever gets the mocks right. You have a better chance of winning the lottery twice than deciding the outcome of the 1st round a month in advance
ptowny - January 12, 2012
Sure they can be offended
Their job is to be “experts” on who teams draft and why the team needs that guy. When they are wrong they feel like asses. The only people that don’t get butthurt when they are wrong in their job are weathermen.
64ShagginWagon - January 12, 2012
Steveo, when did you get a last name?
Omaha Sun - January 12, 2012
TJ Yates should have been one of our picks.
He was the only guy out of the top 5 QB’s I hoped we would take. Having a great rookie year and leading (maybe managing would be a better word) Houston into the second round is very impressive for a guy drafted in the 5th round.
This grade is right on though. We made the best move in the first round passing on Gabbert and moving down to take Kerrigan. Extremely smart and look how good the move turned out. Jenkins was a surprise pick but seems to be the right one. Only hoping Hankerson can rehab fully, I think he can be a #1 WR in the near future… It’ll be interesting to see where he is on the depth chart next season because Moss should be moving to slot and Gaffney will secure the outside and I believe Leonard will be on the opposite barring what happens in FA and if we go after VJ or DB. Obviously we hit on Helu and Evan. Hurt may replace Cory at LG next season… hitting on your 7th rounders is always a huge plus.
Hoping this draft pans out just as well. We will get our guy at QB and hopefully it’s Griffin but if not then I’m sure Bruce and Mike have a great plan in place, they won’t ignore the QB position this year. We just need to relax, this team is heading in the right direction and is in good hands.
xocnodnarb - January 12, 2012
I meant outside of top 5.
xocnodnarb - January 12, 2012
i'm starting to think we draft dre kirkpatrick now
but i can’t say we do that because our offense needs work
but it’s something shanny would do to throw a curve ball in there
jbh1190 - January 12, 2012
Only after trading down maybe
StephanHart - January 12, 2012
agreed that would be the only way I see Shanny going defense in the 1st
Steve Shoup - January 12, 2012
He's not drafting defense in the first. That's like putting new tires on a car with no engine.
iH8dallas - January 12, 2012
new brakes
jbh1190 - January 12, 2012
"Who the hell is Mel Kiper?!"
Redskin44 - January 12, 2012
The NFL Draft analyst GOD...
Who believed in Cam Newton.
LA11 - January 12, 2012
i know - i was refferring to bill tobin's comment about him
Redskin44 - January 12, 2012
The grading system is all jacked up, tell me what you guys think of this format?
With my first post, i would like to thank all you guys for allowing me to do so. I really enjoy this site! You guys run A+ material!
enough of that, how can we grade a draft’s quality with just one letter? it should be like a credit score, divide it up into three different parts. ( like a credit score) The first part would cover the team and how well they addressed their most urgent needs. for us clearly the qb and offensive playmakers. (love you always 89, never forget that monday night comeback in dallas, but brother you aint that guy anymore!) everyone seems to go by this first style only and it’s very vague. The second would be, did any of the new rookies have success? or did they all struggle? Aldon smith (49’s rookie de) was really laughed at, last i checked ol boys got like 18 sacks, granted that defense of cast really helps, but atleast stat wise he can argue he was the best pick up this year. Kiper didn’t even mention our last pick pullin down a couple sacks in crucial moments of games, that helped the defense make a stop an get off the field. this second grade should just be on the quality brought in, and the production added, good or bad. The third, and very overlooked, is bumms that were passed on, has anyone in the local media, (980, 106.7) even praised the shannys for passing on Gabbert or anyothers? EB on the junks takes his shock jock ways a little to far, I know that mcnabb was awful, as was beck, but atleast the shannys seem to know what they want, and Im hoping we have a team better than Houston in 3yrs!!!! keep the shannys for atleast 5 years, we have tried everything else! in judging the draft we should go by these three catagories, what do you folks think?
p.s. I love you Dan Snyder, I live in Tampa and have also lived in Jville while in the Navy, I want an owner who’s a fan first and businessman second, there’s only a couple of you fellas out there in this league, stick with the shannys, let them do their thing and enjoy the show, please stay a spectator
surf3337 - January 12, 2012
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