There is something about the NFL Draft that makes perfectly sane NFL executives, owners, and coaches do crazy things. Fans will not see it coming most of the time. They’ll just see the breaking news alert on their phones and discover their team has traded away a boatload of future draft picks to move up four spaces.
But do they take a great player? The guy chosen often ends up being someone they could have gotten in the next round. It sounds like an extreme scenario, but it happens.
If one recent rumor ends up becoming true, it looks like it could happen to the Washington Redskins this year. What’s the rumor? Well, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan and NBC Sports Washington, a source told him that Redskins owner Dan Snyder has taken over the first round of the draft for the team.
He is the owner of the team, and as the owner, he can do whatever he wants to do. But it seems like whenever he gets involved in something, it is destined to go wrong—or at least severely overpay.
That was certainly the case in 2012 when he traded the St. Louis Rams their 2012 first-round pick (No. 6), two additional first-round selections, and a second-round pick in 2012 to move up four spots so they could take Robert Griffin III.
If Snyder was willing to give up all of that to move up a handful of spots, one can only imagine what he’ll give away to move from No. 15 into the top five. Assuming the rumors of his interest in Haskins are true, he may have to move into the top five to make sure he gets him. Rumor has it that the Giants are going to take him at No. 6 if he is there.
The Redskins have denied the Dan Snyder rumors, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Whoever is in the draft room could do Snyder’s bidding whether he takes control or not. The rumors have caused some sportsbooks to make the Redskins the favorite to take Haskins.
However, 888sport.com still has the Giants favored to take him but with the Redskins close behind:
- New York Giants +300
- Washington Redskins +350
- Cincinnati Bengals +400
- Oakland Raiders +500
- Miami Dolphins +800
- Denver Broncos +1000
Denver can be eliminated; they are going to see what Joe Flacco can do this year. Cincinnati can be counted out as well. It isn’t time to put Andy Dalton out to pasture yet. Oakland has been tied more to Kyler Murray then Haskins.
That leaves the Giants, Redskins. And Dolphins. Of the three, Washington has the more desperate need. New York is going with Eli Manning for another year, and the Dolphins have Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yes, they still need a QB of the future. But Washington’s need is a little more pressing.
Alex Smith is probably done. Colt McCoy has been a decent backup, but he is recovering from an injury as well. Case Keenum was great two years ago, but not last year. It is hard to imagine the Redskins going into training camp without another option.
Since it is too late to get anyone worthwhile in free agency, that means they have to draft someone.
Could that guy be Haskins? Snyder has traded away the farm before for some magic beans; it isn’t hard to imagine him doing it again.
