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- Troy BallardIt didn't take long for the Washington Redskins to move up in the draft, bumping themselves to the second overall selection with a major blockbuster trade.
With the St. Louis Rams auctioning off the second overall pick to the highest bidder, Washington jumped on the chance. The Skins' dished up an offer so good, there was almost no chance that the Rams could consider turning it down.
Brace yourself -- the Redskins traded up to the second overall selection in the draft for: three first rounders (this year, next, and the year following), and the team's second rounder this year.
It's enough picks to sink a ship, and a whole bunch of talent that Washington could have drafted in the future. The Rams made out like bandits, and really, could not have chosen a better season to flop.
However, the Skins' are cashing-in on one kid -- Robert Griffin III.
The Heisman Trophy winner is presumably going to be the Redskins' pick, and is the only player aside from Andrew Luck that is worth giving away as much as Washington did. Griffin III amazed NFL scouts his entire junior season at Baylor, and capped it off with a stunning performance at the combine.
RG3's value is through the roof and his potential is even higher.
After Washington's abysmal round-about quarterback system that plagued the team this past season, the Redskins made it clear it was an issue that had to be addressed. Rex Grossman and John Beck both looked as bad as ever, and it was obvious the team had no other choice but to find a replacement.
Peyton Manning was a sexy idea, but that fell-through as it seemed incredibly unlikely that the four-time NFL MVP had any serious interest in playing in Washington. Obviously, after Manning went to Denver to talk with the Broncos, the Skins' received the message loud and clear.
The team had to make a move.
And sure enough, Washington did. It may cost the team any future talent in drafts for the next three-seasons, but at least the organization made a big move. The Redskins, for the first time in almost a decade, won't have to mark quarterback as an area of need.
Right now, it appears that the Redskins overpaid for that second overall pick. It seems like the team gave up a crazy amount of value for one single player. But of course, like anything in the NFL, it will all depend on how RG3 performs.
If Griffin III comes out of the gate and totally busts, the Skins' will be criticized for the rest of eternity. On the flip-side, if RG3 dominates the NFL and gets Washington pointing the right direction again, Washington will be applauded for as long as the kid plays in the league.
One thing is clear -- the Redskins have faith in Griffin III. The team was more than willing to mortgage the future and enter a win-now mode. Despite having holes all across the team that need to be filled, the team elected to go with instant gratification and talent over bulk value.
Our advice? Hope that RG3 can throw and catch the ball himself.
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