The Redskins Draft- With Peyton Manning

The rumors have been growing, the demand is there, and it almost seems like an inevitable fit: Peyton Manning to the Redskins. Bring him in to provide some kind of credibility and stability to the Redskins roster, assuming he is even 80% of the QB he was before this lost season. So, how would the Skins entire draft focus change if #18 suits up in burgundy and gold next year? That is what I am interested in. Can this organization effectively build through the draft to give Peyton the weapons he needs to become an instant contender? Can the defense get deeper and more talented? This is what I would do, if I were in charge of the Redskins. This assumes no trading up or down, simply drafting in slot.

Round 1: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa. If he is there, he is the pick. Why? Because the wideout class is deep. Justin Blackmon, while good, isn't worth a #6 pick. Great WRs can be found in later rounds. Riley Reiff is big, nasty, and exactly what the Skins need on that offensive line. He can play either left or right tackle, and would protect Peyton better than anyone on the line now, including Trent Williams.

Round 2: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers. The WR class is deep, and this is where the Redskins need to address it. Picking this early in the 2nd Round, they could find a talented receiver that has fallen out of the first round, like Michael Floyd or Alshon Jeffery. Odds are they will be gone, and Sanu is projected to around this spot. He'd be a good fit, and at 6'2 would give the Skins another tall receiver to balance out the diminutive Santana Moss.

Round 3: Nick Foles, QB, Arizona. Peyton is in place, but an heir needs to be named. Foles has good size, at 6'5 240. He put up good numbers at Arizona, and should be able to learn from Manning for a few years before taking the reigns. A QB like Brock Osweiler from Arizona State might be a good pick here also, or a CB. Rumor has it the Skins spent a lot of time with Russell Wilson of Wisconsin at the Senior Bowl, so he could be the pick as well.

Round 4: Two picks! The biggest needs? A corner and a middle linebacker. At this point in the draft, you don't know many of the names. I know some, but not enough to make an accurate guess. The defense needs depth everywhere, but CB/S and an heir to London Fletcher are the most pressing defensive needs.

Round 5: A tight end. Fred Davis might get suspended again, and Chris Cooley may not be healthy.

Round 6: More depth along a line, either offensive or defensive.

Round 7: A kicker. Graham Gano is not the answer.


All of this of course depends on the Skins getting Peyton Manning. It could work for Matt Flynn also. If they trade up for RG3? Well, that is a different story...