<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Redskins mailbag: Part 1

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterApr 11, 2015, 10:00 AM ET
            Close
              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
            Follow on Twitter

          For Part 1 of the Redskins mailbag, we have questions about Ryan Grant, interest in Leonard Williams and free agent center Stefen Wisniewski, and positions the team won't address. Enjoy.

          John Keim: This year? That would be asking a lot. Though Andre Roberts did not wow anyone, I think he’s still more effective than Grant. I enjoyed watching Grant last summer in practice; very crisp routes and also ran routes that most young wideouts don’t (some triple moves that he sells well). But the quarterbacks trusted Roberts as a route runner too and he’s a bigger, stronger player. My one concern on Grant coming out of camp was his lack of strength and that still seemed to be an issue at season’s end. He’s not a burner so he needs that strength and quickness. He’s a guy who maybe in 2016 could develop into a third wideout, but I think it would be asking a lot for this season.

          Keim: I was told the Redskins have not expressed any interest in him so at this point it obviously does not seem like something they’d pursue. Wisniewski reportedly has drawn interest from six teams, but he’s also coming off shoulder surgery. The Redskins are OK at center with Kory Lichtensteiger, and Wisniewski is not going to go somewhere to be a backup. He doesn’t need to. I think the Redskins will select more offensive linemen in the draft.

          Keim: I don’t know why they haven’t; I do know the Redskins have been very, very quiet as to who they are bringing in for visits. It’s honestly difficult to find out these days. But one thing I was told is that they haven’t expressed any interest in Williams. That doesn’t mean they won’t draft him if he falls to No. 5, but it does mean that to date they haven’t sought him out for more prep work.

          Keim: A few of them, but only because certain positions would not be a choice at No. 5 -- running back, tight end, inside linebacker (they could use a little more depth). I think the legitimate options at five include edge rusher, defensive line (if Leonard Williams somehow falls to this spot, but I have more on him in a previous answer), receiver or quarterback (yes, that’s another discussion, but I don’t think that’s in play if they don’t meet with Marcus Mariota). But those are the areas where players project to that range. If they trade at least several spots, then you can open it up even more to include offensive line. I’m anticipating a Redskins draft heavier on offensive players after a free agency period in which they signed only defensive players. Nobody has told me that, but it makes sense. Some areas they want to fortify -- line, running back, receiver -- are deeper areas in this draft.

          Keim: I’ve seen those rumors and only know that we hear a lot of such tales at this time of the year. So who really knows. But if the 49ers wanted to trade up from 15, where they pick now, to 5, where the Redskins pick, it would take probably four picks in exchange. In 2009, the New York Jets traded the 17th pick, their second-round pick and three players to Cleveland for the No. 5 pick. I would think the Redskins would rather have the picks than the players, but that gives you an idea of what they might receive. Here are some other deals from previous seasons that involved moving up high in the draft.

          Keim: Hatcher weighs 299 pounds; that’s a lot of weight for an outside linebacker. There’s a difference between occasionally dropping into coverage and playing the position. So, no, I would not put him at that spot. If they draft Williams, it would give them one heck of a rotation and a guy who could be part of their line for a while. Hatcher will be 33 this season, so his time is nearing an end.