Offensive/Defensive Line, Inside Linebacker, and DB? Check.
The 6th Round voting was determined by two votes(polls closed this morning when I opened my eyes), and was close the entire time. NC State CB Dontae Johnson is the newest addition to the Redskins, and could be considered a steal in the 6th by some people. David Amerson's former teammate has the versatility and size that the Redskins covet, and will be able to sit and learn as a rookie. There was a strong push for Johnson in the comments section, and now someone is a very happy man.
Now we'll finish off this year's draft with 5 choices for the 7th Round. This is the gambling round, where you can pick any position, or take a risk on injured players. Hogs Haven has addressed the Offensive and Defensive Lines, the secondary, and the ILB positions so far. Is it finally time to give Jay Gruden a WR or RB to develop? Or is Sav Rocca's replacement just sitting there, waiting to hear his name called? Let's finish this thing people.
2nd Round: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
3rd Round: Marcus Martin, C, USC
4th Round: Christian Jones, ILB, FSU
5th Round: Brent Urban, DE, Virginia
6th Round: Dontae Johnson, CB, North Carolina State
7th Round Options:
Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska:
The Redskins are still looking to add a tall WR late in the draft to develop. Quincy Enunwa from Nebraska could be that player at 6'2", 225lbs, 4.45 40. As long as Bruce Allen doesn't have nightmares about previously drafting a WR/TE/KR from Nebraska. He is currently ranked #259 overall by CBS Sports, and is projected to go in the 7th-FA.
STRENGTHS
Looks the part with terrific size, long arms and an NFL musculature. Can elevate and snatch throws above his head. Strong after the catch. Sheer size and brawn to block out corners outside. Has hustle traits. Knows where the sticks are and is very football smart. Excellent intangibles -- team captain with a professional approach and leadership traits. Was a 21-year-old senior.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks elite top-end speed to separate vertically. Shows some hip tightness. Is not fluid or sudden out of breaks (wastes steps). Not a natural catcher -- lets throws into his body, double catches some and drops catchable throws.
BOTTOM LINE
Big, tough, athletic, West Coast receiver who broke out as a senior. Has a mixture of "Z" and "X" traits and could even be viewed as a developmental H-back prospect.
Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State:
Does this name look familiar? Hogs Haven passed on drafting Grice in the 6th Round, but he has slipped down to the 7th and looks like a real bargain here. Whether RB is a need for the team is up for debate, but Jay Gruden has indicated that he might be looking for a pass catching RB. Marion Grice fits the bill, and the Redskins have already shown interest in him at his Pro Day, and brought him in for a private workout. He is currently ranked #276 overall by CBS Sports.
STRENGTHS
Good balance and body control. Has loose ankles and very good lateral agility. Explosive one-cut ability. Displays vision and elusiveness in the open field. Sees the cutback and weaves in and out of traffic. Has some wiggle to shake tacklers in space. Good receiver -- bursts into routes, adjusts to passes and has soft hands. Fumbled only once the last two seasons. Blue-collar work ethic. Solid character.
WEAKNESSES
Has a lean, narrow frame. Needs to bulk up and get stronger. Not equipped to pound between the tackles -- gets tall inside and doesn't push the pile (soft on contact). Weak tackle-breaker who cannot be counted on for yards after contact. Can become a more disciplined route runner. Questionable awareness in pass protection. Statistical production belies inconsistency.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 6-7
BOTTOM LINE
Fluid perimeter runner/receiver with playmaking ability, though his game is rough around the edges, requiring more polish and attention to detail. Profiles as a third-down/change-of-pace back, but his football intelligence has to catch up with his physical gifts in order to earn trust he can handle the role.
Lonnie Ballentine, FS, Memphis:
We address the secondary in the 6th round with a CB who can also play safety. Is there room on the roster for another safety now that Tanard Jackson has made his glorious return? The Skins signed 3 veterans to 1 year, vet minimum deals, and also have tso 2nd year players on the roster. That's a lot of question marks, but is there really room for a developmental, 7th round safety? Can the Skins afford to draft a big(6'3", 219lbs), fast(sub 4.4 40) to possibly stash next year? Bruce Allen said today in his press conference that the team is looking to draft for 2015, 2016 and beyond. The 7th round is where you look to find players with some upside and Ballentine has that. He is currently ranked #231 overall by CBS Sports, and projected as a 6th-7th round prospect.
STRENGTHS
Exceptional size, length and closing speed. Can get over the top and leverage the field. Plays with emotion. Superb pro day workout, posting some sub-4.4-second 40 times and a 38-inch vertical jump. Flashes straight-line striking ability when he has a clean angle.
WEAKNESSES
Pedals tall and does not play to timed speed. Has a bit of a track mentality. Cautious running alley. Not a strong, face-up, wrap tackler. Does not trigger quickly vs. the run and is late to see plays developing. Average processing speed. Gives up too much separation in transition and is not quick out of his pedal. Shaky hands -- not a natural catcher and will mistime jumps. Marginal career production on the ball.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 6-7
BOTTOM LINE
A long-limbed, rangy back-half defender with intriguing straight-line speed, range and leaping ability to compete for a job as a backup safety and special-teams performer. Has intriguing physical tools to be molded if he bows up.
Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon:
Tight End could be a need this year, but the type of Tight End the Redskins need is the question. Jordan Reed enters the 2014 season as the go-to "Joker" Tight End that Jay Gruden will use as his favorite toy in the passing game. If the Redskins don't trust Reed to stay healthy they could look to draft a tight end earlier. If they are looking to replace Logan Paulsen, or just add depth, the later rounds could provide the answer. Everyone knows that Coltcaine is full of red flags, but he is still a talented player that a team could take a risk on in the 7th round. Are the Redskins the right team to take that risk in a draft with only 6 picks? Lyerla is currently ranked #254 overall by CBS Sports.
STRENGTHS: Physical marvel with excellent athleticism, good hand-eye coordination and toughness after the catch. Possesses impressive straight-line speed, as well as the agility and balance to operate in space. Attacks defenders as a run-blocker, getting an explosive initial pop on his opponent and extending his arms and keeping his legs churning to sustain. Shows the competitive spirit befitting his prep past as a linebacker. Recorded a 40-inch vertical and 10'10 broad jump during the 2010 National Underclassmen Combine as a high school senior.
WEAKNESSES: Signed with Oregon after starring as a prep running back and linebacker and wasn't asked to run a variety of routes in this offense. Relies on his athleticism rather than technique as a route-runner and blocker, showing limited technique to gain clearance against press coverage and inconsistent hand placement as a blocker. Myriad of off-field issues. Abruptly quit the team on Oct. 6, calling his choice to leave the Ducks as a "personal decision." This occurred after missing the Ducks' Sept. 14 game against Tennessee for what Lyerla later called the stomach flu but head coach Mark Helfrich characterized simply as "circumstances." Arrested Oct. 23, 2013 when undercover police discovered inhaling a "white powdery substance" inside a car. Lyerla later admitted the substance was cocaine. This was hardly Lyerla's only run-in with police. He had his driver's license suspended Oct. 11, 2013 after receiving four driving tickets in the previous 24 months. It is worth noting that since his arrest and court case Lyerla, has parted ways with one sports representative and signed with another.
COMPARES TO: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots - Like "Gronk," Lyerla comes with plenty of red-flags that will cause some to completely drop him from their boards. For Gronkowski, the issue was a spinal condition. Lyerla's inability to stay out of trouble could be viewed as even more troubling for NFL teams. No one doubts Lyerla's talent, however. With dedication to his craft, Lyerla is a Pro Bowl tight end. Without it, he could wind up out of the league very quickly.
Pat O'Donnell, P, Miami:
Sav Rocca wasn't a very good punter and had a knee injury that needed surgery after the 2012 season. He was also 38 years old. Those are all excellent reasons to re-sign him for 2 years. Amazingly, and without warning, Rocca was even worse in 2013, contributing to the 2nd worst special teams unit in recorded history. Enter Pat O'Donnell, a punter who can also do kickoffs which will have the added bonus of allowing Kai Forbath to focus on kicking field goals. He is currently ranked #260 overall by CBS Sports and is projected to go in the 7th-FA.
STRENGTHS: Built like a tight end with good bulk packed on his frame. Terrific athlete as a former soccer star with gliding speed to cover a large area with the willingness to finish tackles on special teams coverage. Devoted to his craft and prepares like a pro. Long, swift leg motions to generate power from his movements to boom the ball off his foot. Handled kickoff duties at Cincinnati and Miami. Was an All-Conference player each of the last three seasons. Good experience kicking in all types of weather.
Poll
Who is worth the risk in the 7th round?
Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska
Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State
Lonnie Ballentine, FS, Memphis
Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon
Pat O'Donnell, P, Miami
149 votes | Results