Let me say this right off the bat: John Beck is completely unfit to start in this league. Rex Grossman, on the other hand, is actually a startable player. Ideally, you don't want him to have to be "the guy", but Grossman is one of the league's better backups. I think he's going to be the starter when week 1 rolls around, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has a strange affinity for Grossman.

I don't have high hopes for the 'Skins offensively at all. Santana Moss is a very good wideout, but the players around him don't necessary ease off that much pressure. Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney are all mediocre to subpar receivers. Chris Cooley is overrated right now, and he's taking too many targets away from the guy who is actually the best tight end on the roster; Fred Davis.

The Redskins will and should run a lot of 2 TE sets. I only see two decent players on their offensive line, and both of those guys were signed as free agents. Sean Locklear will be Trent Williams's backup, but he could spell him if Williams keeps on playing this poorly in pass protection. I doubt that happens, but Locklear could still beat out Jammal Brown at right tackle. Although Locklear is a very good pass blocker, his run blocking is so bad that it makes him only "pretty good". Chris Chester is a slightly above average guard, and you know what you're going to get out of him.

As far as the running game goes, the 'Skins have six backs who can get carries. Tim Hightower can be a feature back if he cuts down on his huge fumble problems, Ryan Torain is as solid as you can get at the position, Keiland Williams can make plays a pass-catcher, James Davis looks like the odd man out despite not having as much of a chance as the others, Roy Helu is a solid all-around back who can make an impact as a rookie and fits the system well, and Evan Royster is one of my favorite rookies. I'm a big Penn State fan, and he was certainly great in college. I think he can make the transition to the NFL and be a solid back. Royster is efficient, can catch, and will be a good change-of-pace back. Nearly every scout calls him an efficient runner.

The defensive line was revamped, and the unnamed disgruntle star has been traded away. The 'Skins have replaced him with Barry Cofield; a solid defensive tackle who has a high motor and plays the run very well. He's definitely not an explosive player and is Bizzaro Albert. Stephen Bowen was huge for the Cowboys last year, and the 'Skins did well to sign him away from their rivals. I can't wait to see who wins the battle between Bowen and Doug Free. Adam Carriker is another underrated end, and he is a very hard-worker who can dominate against the run. He's a poor pass rusher, but that's why they have Kerrigan and Orakpo.

Speaking of which, Brian Orakpo is now considered a "veteran leader" in only his third season. That says a lot about the roster turnover in Washington from year to year. He and rookie Ryan Kerrigan are two impact pass rushers who will wreak havoc on opposing backfields. London Fletcher is London Fletcher, there's really no way to describe how influential he is, and Rocky McIntosh is a solid linebacker who makes tackles. Backup outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is underrated and can make plays in run D. The 'Skins have a good group of linebackers, and they are the strength of this team.

Josh Wilson has to be the Redskins' best signing of the offseason. He's a shutdown corner who definitely deserves some more props. He's better than the overrated DeAngelo Hall who is a gambler. But besides those two, there are no other corners that you can at least call "average". Phillip Buchanon? Really?

LaRon Landry and O.J. Atogwe are impact safeties, and they are going to be a dynamic tandem. Landry will make plays in the box, and Atogwe will use his tremendous ball skills to play up top. Reed Doughty is a good backup who is smart and a sound tackler, but he really isn't skilled and can get beat easily in coverage. He's a useful player who can start when called upon, but Doughty does have his weaknesses.

The Redskins were uncharacteristically good this offseason. They didn't throw money around on overpriced commodities, and they spent that money on players who can come in and produce. I really like them defensively, but they are a 6-10 team because their offense is going to be terrible. Let's face it, without a competent offense you can't go very far in today's game.

Uh, really guys? You want to start him? You're better off starting Beck Hansen.

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2011 NFL Draft Team Grades Part 5

May 6th 2011 14:36

St. Louis Rams A plus- The Rams had an amazing draft. First, they got the best defensive end in the draft with just the 14th pick. That's unquestionably a huge bargain. Then, they spent the rest of the draft adding receivers to surround Sam Bradford. The guys they got look good to me. The Rams may finally have a decent receiving tight end with the selection of Lance Kendricks. He's got good hands, and Bradford would love to have him as a safety valve; any young QB would.

Danny Amendola is a decent receiver, but the rest of the other receivers on the Rams are average at best. Austin Pettis will be big in the red zone, and he could emerge as the main guy. He was a nice bargain in the third round. Greg Salas had a huge year for Hawaii, but we all know about how much players are too positively effected by their very pass-friendly system. Salas isn't a guy to write off just because he played at Hawaii. He's a sleeper pick and was a nice value in the fourth. He is raw, but he runs good routes, he's the toughest wideout in the draft, and he's fast. He isn't really a playmaker though, but Salas will be another reliable target for Bradford. Did I also mention that Josh McDaniels- the same guy that made Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd look really god- is their offensive coordinator? Watch out NFL, these Rams will air it. And hey, Steven Jackson ain't a bad running back either.

Tampa Bay Bucs B I thought the Bucs did a solid job. They bolstered their pass rush by getting Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers was a nice deal at the end of the second round, and he fell due to injury and character concerns. The talent is obviously there, and I think it was a good pick by Tampa. Clayborn, Stylez G. White, and Bowers should be able to make up a young and solid rotation for the Bucs.

Mason Foster looks like a solid linebacker with a good motor and is also versatile. The problem is that, if Barrett Ruud leaves, he'll be forced to play MLB in the Tampa 2 which calls upon middle linebackers to be very athletic with great range. Foster is solid, but he doesn't seem like the prototypical Tampa 2 middle linebacker. Tight end Luke Stocker should be a nice number two, and he's a good blocker that will provide some value in two tight end sets. Ahmad Black was a solid choice in round five. He's a bit slow, but I like his instincts. He'll be a solid depth guy right off. The Bucs already have good enough safeties, so he won't be thrust into the starting spot.

Tennessee Titans A minus- The Titans did a spectacular job by getting Jake Locker. I've already talked about my opinions on Locker a lot, so let's just say that I believe he was not reach and is the best QB in the class. The Titans probably thought so, and they filled in a huge need by taking him. Akeem Ayers isn't good in coverage, but he's a good pass rusher that also does a very good job against the run. He'll probably be on the strong side for the Titans.

Jurrell Casey was one of my sleepers, and the Titans were the ones that got this bargain in the third round. Casey is a stout tackle who will keep on improving because of his incredible work ethic. Casey is great against the run, and he also does a decent job of getting to the QB. Karl Klug's position in the NFL- end or tackle- is uncertain, but we do know that Klug is a solid tackler that has a good motor that enables him to get to the ball. He is a team player that should be able to find his niche in the NFL.

Washington Redskins B minus- The Skins did a pretty good job in this year's draft. Ryan Kerrigan looks like a solid player that will give them something on the line; the underrated Vonnie Holiday will most likely depart through free agency. Jarvis Jenkins will bring a lot of help on the D-Line as well, and he might even start at defensive tackle. Leonard Hankerson is a solid receiver, and we all know how bad the Redskins' wideouts are, besides the very good Santana Moss. Moss might leave through free agency as well, so drafting two wideouts- we'll get to the other one later- was critical.

Roy Helu is a solid pass catcher and has a good mix of power and speed. He isn't so good in lateral quickness, but he's one of my sleepers and solid value in the fourth round. More competition at running back, yet another uncertain position in D.C., is definitely better. Helu will probably backup Ryan Torain, and I'll think he'll do a good job being the number two guy; which is important in today's league where an injury to a back is never far away. You have to constantly rest your RBs.

Niles Paul is a big receiver and his skillset will be important to the Skins. He's a solid player who will most likely end up being a decent number three receiver. He can also return and get YAC. That's pretty decent value for a 5th rounder. Evan Royster is one of my favorite players, I'm a PSU fan, and I always enjoyed watching him in college. He's a solid runner with good hands, but he just looks like an average number two back at best. Royster will bring something to the Redskins' running back competition, and he may get a few carries. Royster was a nice pick in the 6th round, and he'll be at least an average player in the league with time. He just isn't athletic enough to start. But trust me, he can be a solid number two back.