…Mario Manningham. As mentioned, ESPN SportsNation is doing a mock draft and while the vote is technically not over for the Redskins there is a clear winner in the form of Mario Manningham, WR from Michigan.
What? Not that I don’t think Manningham is talented. And frankly, if we went that way, I’d be secretly excited. But in what way does Manningham fit this team’s needs? He is 6′ 0″with decent but not overwhelming speed. He is quick and does have a “second gear” for the deep ball. But essentially, he is a slightly taller Antwan Randle El.
And lets consider two other choices that were available if the mock draft really went down that way:
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Kansas- Let me just tell you, America, if McKelvin falls to us in the draft it is because the night before he ends up in a car accident and breaks his legs in twenty places. He’s a top ten talent. He’s big for a CB, can support the run and has excellent cover skills. This is Rod Woodson without the blitz ability or Champ Bailey with slightly better tackling. And to top it all off, he’s a great return man. This is such a no brainer pick for the Skins if they get to make it, I’m salivating at the very idea it could happen. In fact, it is highly unlikey that he’ll get past the Pats at #7.
Derrick Harvey, DE- Harvey is exactly the kind of pass rushing DE we need. He’s explosive off the ball and hits QBs very hard. He is a little small, but has the frame to add a little weight. Again, if he really falls this far, this is a no brainer.
All this said, I think it is far more realistic that the Skins will be on the clock with McKelvin and Harvey gone and Manningham still on the board. If Manningham is there and the major corners and taller receivers like Limas Sweed are gone, I’ll be very happy to see him selected.
I’d have chalked this up to ESPN viewers not knowing our team well enough except even Virginia, Maryland, and DC voters selected Manningham. I’m very curious here. I just don’t see it. If anyone reading this voted for Manningham (or would if they had the choice now), please comment. I’m very curious about what people see in him over the talent on the ESPN board. And even if you’re on my side, feel free to comment. We like conversation here.
-DW
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The voting options were also very limited. I believe there was only one prospect from each position. What it really says is that people think the Redskins should draft a wide receiver, not Manningham. I certainly voted for McKelvin.
The current Pittsburgh voting has two offensive tackles so it wasn’t by design. I think the big receivers were gone (Sweed, Hardy, Kelly) and so they put in Manningham. I think the draft as it is going down shows the general prejudice less educated football fans have towards the "skill positions." I blame fantasy for making it worse, but it has always been true. Every year, in the real draft, WRs slip into the second round that are hyped as first round talents. The NFL is WR shy in the draft for good reason. There are more busts at the WR position than almost everywhere, and the cost of a WR bust is significant. Not only are they paid more, but the tend to pout more as well and they become clubhouse cancers.
Realistically, we can expect Hardy or Sweed or Kelly to fall to us because Harvey, Mckelvin, and some of the o-linemen getting dropped in the SportsNation draft won’t drop in the real draft.
-DW