The NFL Draft could infuse some needed defensive talent, but Washington’s senior vice president of personnel Doug Williams believes the Redskins are already in good shape once healthy.
"The team we're looking for is in the building right now," said Williams during his pre-draft press conference on Tuesday.
Sure, the team will spend offseason camps with offensive tackles Trent Williams and Morgan Moses recovering from surgeries. And there are still a lot of bumps and bruises still healing from last season when a depleted potential contender fell to 7-9.
But even a healthy roster will need some new playmakers, and the Redskins are primed to find one picking No. 13 overall on Thursday. Williams didn't foresee moving up and only trades down if the phone rings.
A gold rush on quarterbacks should take four, maybe five of the first 12 picks. Throw in Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and half of the early picks are offensive players, leaving the Redskins with someone who would normally be taken sixth through 10th suddenly falling to them.
Safety Derwin James, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Denzel Ward and nose tackles Vita Vea and Da'Ron Payne are all potential picks for the Redskins. And, they will be fine getting any of them.
But are they Day 1 impact players? Williams can only say of all his pending draft picks, "You'd like all of them to come in and help."
Indeed, the Redskins will need all the help they can get. Maybe the majority of the team is already in the building, but there’s plenty of room for newcomers.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
