The NFLDraftguys staff is going simulate playing the GM of each of the 31 teams picking in the first round and justify their picks. You can look forward to a new pick every other day leading up to April 28, when the staff will be in Radio City Music Hall to see if they took our advice.
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Follow the progress of the On The Clock Draft Board, where you can see exactly how the first round would play out if the NFLDraftguys staff were making the calls in the war room.
Sean Baca
With the sixth pick in 2007 NFL Draft, Washington Redskins SHOULD select Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson.
The Redskins have spent a considerable amount of money over the years on "playmakers" who were supposed to drastically improve their defense. Question; who led the Skins in sacks in the 2006 season? Answer; Andre Carter, with six. The secondary has names, Taylor, Archuletta, Rogers and now Smoot. However, and this is not meant to slight Carter, a secondary is only as good as the pass rush in front of it.
Gaines is a special blend of quick feet and great leverage which allows him to put great up-field pressure on an offense. He containes the play well, not getting to far up-field and has the agility to stunt to any gap on the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to drop into coverage in zone blitz packages and essentially play as an OLB, or he can simply put his fist down in the dirt and play ball. The Skins have hard hitting safeties and sound corners, get a pass rush that allows for some risk taking, and they just might have the "playmakers" in the right position to "make plays".
Marc Faletti
With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins SHOULD select the best defensive end available. In my draft, that means they'll be taking Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas.
Last year, Phillip Daniels looked like a guy whose best days finally retired; the rest of us are waiting for him to do the same. A Tazmanian Devil like Anderson should energize that defense from the edge. While he lacks technique and needs to add bulk, Anderson possesses elite explosiveness. He registered at least one sack in 8 of the 12 games in which he played the bulk of the minutes at his position in 2006, and he dominated against Tennessee, Alabama, and -- last but not least -- Wisconsin, a school well-known for its prowess on the O-line. Anderson didn't play opposite Joe Thomas in that game, but 6-7, 324lb sophomore Eric Vanden Heuvel was hardly easy pickings, either. He may also be a first-round tackle when the time comes.
Jamaal Anderson's a sharp kid who loves to hit people behind the line of scrimmage. He should be doing it for the Redskins in 2007.
Cecil Lammey
With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins SHOULD take Alan Branch, DT, Michigan Wolverines.
The Redskins are a long way from competing in the NFC. Yes, their division is considered to be one of the toughest and to become more tough the 'Skins need a run-stuffing defensive tackle.
Alan Branch consistently takes on double-teams and clogs up the middle. His size is immense and he is a very versatile player, having played both DT and DE at Michigan. This addition would immediately improve their run defense, which would in turn help their entire squad. The Redskins need a youth movement on both sides of the ball and Branch is a great start.
Sigmund Bloom
With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins SHOULD take Alan Branch, DT, Michigan Wolverines.
If four offensive players go in the first five picks, the Redskins will have the option to get a much needed shot in the arm for their pass rush in the form of Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson. In reality, one of Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell would be a great trade up target right now, and teams would be looking to get ahead of Minnesota, Houston, and Miami to get one of the possible franchise QBs. If the 'Skins decide to stay home, they should bolster their ailing defensive line.
Kedric Golston's emergence was a nice surprise, but it doesn't change that Washington has no real force in the middle of their front seven. This becomes even more crucial with the signing of London Fletcher-Baker - good DT play will be the key to opening up his playmaking abilities. Branch hasn't quite perfected using his considerable physical gifts to disrupt offenses, but when he's on, he's unstoppable. Left without an elite DE prospect, the "planet theory" (there are very few massive athletic men on earth) dictates that Washington would be wise to select Branch.
