Redskins Find Value in 2013 Draft
By Jake Russell | April 27th, 2013
With the 2013 draft now in the books, the Redskins were able to address a variety of needs.
The team first selected cornerback David Amerson from North Carolina State, who led the NCAA with 13 interceptions as a sophomore in 2011. Struggling in coverage last season, Amerson’s draft stock dropped but he still managed five interceptions and 61 tackles.
Patience paid off for Washington as two ball-hawking safeties fell to them in the fourth and sixth rounds. Fresno State free safety Phillip Thomas was chosen at 119th overall after leading the NCAA with eight interceptions last season. Thomas missed the 2011 season with a broken left leg and dislocated left ankle
For Thomas, his selection is a dream come true considering he is a lifelong Redskins fan.
Washington was able to address safety in the sixth round when Georgia’s Bacarri Rambo was still available. Projected to be a third-to-fourth round selection, Rambo was suspended the first four games of the 2012 season after failing a second drug test. He finished second behind Amerson for the 2011 NCAA interception lead with eight picks.
Rambo started 36 of 47 games played. He logged 235 tackles, 16 interceptions and six forced fumbles during his time as a Bulldog.
In what has become a staple of head coach Mike Shanahan-led drafts, two running backs were chosen in the mid-to-late rounds.
Chris Thompson was chosen in the fifth round out of Florida State and Jawan Jamison was taken in the seventh out of Rutgers. Both running backs are 5’7″ and possess skill but were hampered by injuries in college.
Thompson suffered a broken back against Wake Forest after only appearing in five games in 2011. Last year he suffered a torn ACL with six games remaining. He managed to gain 687 yards and five touchdowns in 2012. For his collegiate career, he played 38 games, ran for 1,735 yards, 14 touchdowns and averaged 6.3 yards per carry.
Jamison ran for 1,972 yards and 13 touchdowns during his two-year career at Rutgers. He has also caught two touchdowns and passed for one. An ankle injury hampered his production in his final season but still eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark. Jamison only fumbled twice in 523 touches, a stat coaches must love.
He told reporters in a conference call that he opted for the NFL Draft with two years of college eligibility remaining because his mother is battling breast cancer and he wanted to help her out as best he can.
The Redskins also selected a linebacker and tight end.
Brandon Jenkins, who played defensive end at Florida State, will make the transition to linebacker in the pros after being selected in the fifth round.
Jenkins missed 13 games last season with a lisfranc injury. He accumulated 22.5 sacks in his career. His top season came in 2010 when he had 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss with two forced fumbles and two passes. In 2011, Jenkins had eight sacks.
In the third round, the team drafted Jordan Reed out of Florida. He is an elusive receiver who starred as a high school quarterback in Connecticut. Reed started 12 of 13 games in 2012, leading the Gators with 45 receptions for 559 yards and three touchdowns. His versatility should help his adjustment to the dynamic Redskins offense.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell
