Washington needs to improve their defense, but Julio is a no-brainer
Washington is in a tricky position.
The Redskins need to add players that will go after Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Michael Vick next season. This draft, though, is deep on talented defensive linemen, which is why I think wide receiver is a much more important need. Drafting Alabama's Julio Jones would be just the kind of player Washington needs, too.
You'll get some differing opinions here on this pick: Wes Bunting from the National Football Post has Washington taking North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn. So does Rob Rang. Pat Kirwan from NFL.com has the 'Skins selecting Wisconsin's J.J. Watt and Mel Kiper Jr. is going with Julio Jones.
One major curveball comes from Sports Illustrated's Peter King, who reports that Cincinnati has Jones rated higher than fellow wide receiver A.J. Green, who many have believed to be the top wide receiver in this draft. Cincinnati has the fourth overall pick.
"The Redskins are certainly back in the market at the quarterback position, but if they don't do something to upgrade the talent at the wide receiver position, it won't matter who they have in there," Kiper writes about Jones.
What Washington fans need to realize is that there's not some dramatic dropoff in talent at defensive end, or defensive tackle, so if they decide to hold off on that in the second round then all is not lost. Wide receiver is different.
After A.J. Green and Julio both go, you get some good wide receivers, but it's debatable whether they're elite level like those two. I would say Titus Young and Leonard Hankerson would be the next best picks at wide receiver, but I also think there's quite a bit separating them from Green's and Jones' status.
If they picked Jones, he would automatically upgrade that position for Washington. After tight end Chris Cooley, I think he would immediately become their best receiver.
Assuming that Santana Moss (a free agent) leaves, after him all you have left are Anthony Armstrong (817 yards receiving), Cooley (849) and Fred Davis (316). Combined touchdown catches for those three? Nine.
If he's still here at this point, Washington can't hesitate. They've got to go with Julio.
