Re-grading the Washington Redskins 2012 NFL Draft
Rounds 1 and 2
Following another dismal season, the Redskins front office was determined to take a new, positive course. After signing prized receiver Pierre Garcon in free agency, a franchise quarterback was high on the priority list and the draft brought optimism. Four days before the opening of free agency that offseason, the Redskins and Rams pulled off a blockbuster trade that sent shock waves throughout the league.
March 9, 2012 – the Friday trade that changed the Redskins. Here is what it took for the team to vault from the sixth overall draft choice to the second pick: Their second round selection, a 2013 first-rounder, and a 2014 first-rounder.
On April 26, the Redskins chose to make Robert Griffin III the franchise quarterback of the present and future. Giving up so much for the Baylor product was surprising and if he could become the franchise savior for the next fifteen years or more, the trade was worth it. As we fast-forward to the 2012 season, it was an experience for fans that only can be described as magical.
Suddenly, it all started crashing down after a late-season injury to Griffin against the Baltimore Ravens. The Redskins did finish with an NFC East title, but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Griffin would go on to play three more seasons with the Redskins – 2013 produced modest results and 2014 was an injury-plagued affair. 2015 simply didn’t happen as Griffin was inactive for the entire season. He was released in March of 2016.
Wow! What became a spectacular rookie season turned out to be one of the worst debacles in Redskins history. The loss of 2013 and 2014 first-round draft picks simply made it an ignominious failure. There is only one grade the first two rounds deserve.