A year later we’re back in the same spot: an NFL Draft conference call with ESPN’s draft expert Mel Kiper discussing potential quarterback targets for the Redskins. Sigh.
And there’s three more months to go.
But the Redskins are not getting Andrew Luck — he’s a lock as the first pick, and it’s highly, highly unlikely Indianapolis will trade that choice. Robert Griffin III is the next option, but the Redskins will have to trade up for him.
If not, they’re left with free agent options — “I heard through the grapevine that they didn’t have a high opinion of Matt Flynn, so I don’t think they’ll go that route,” Kiper said. “I keep hearing Peyton Manning for Washington.” — or lesser quarterbacks in the draft.
That group would include Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler, Arizona’s Nick Foles and Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill.
Here’s Kiper’s take on why each would be available after the first round.
On Osweiler » “It’s the bad decisions. He forced a lot of balls into coverage. He had several games with multiple interceptions. The decision-making, he tended to force the ball. He made a terrible throw in that game against Boise State. But it was multiple games where he threw a couple picks. But he looked real good against USC and outdueled Matt Barkley.”
On Tannehill » “The Texas game was a red flag. He had a lot of trouble in that Texas game. He didn’t look like the quarterback he was in other games against lesser defenses. He doesn’t have a ton of starts at quarterback. Now he’s injured, but he has skills that indicate he could be an effective starting quarterback.”
On Foles » “He’s a little off-target. He’s not as precise as you need to be throwing into those tighter windows in the NFL that you see. He may be more of a developmental quarterback. A lot of teams are looking for quick fixes with the way the young quarterbacks have played. But you can’t argue with his arm strength and his size, and he can throw on the move effectively.”
– John Keim
