The Washington Redskins may be willing to throw their future at the Rams’ feet for an opportunity to draft Robert Griffin III, as noted by our in-house Rams aficionado. The tweet Will Horton cited earlier in the day says that the Redskins may offer the Rams this year’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks as well as next year’s 1st rounder all for RGIII.
I’m not opposed to blockbuster deals. On occasion, we see a rare instance where both teams seemingly benefit from the trade. The best contemporary example of that may have been the Eli Manning, Philip Rivers trade back in 2004. Big trades that benefit all parties involved are possible, they just don’t happen often.
So, is this potentially one of those blockbuster trades that are mutually beneficial? For the Rams, the trade couldn’t be much better. It sets the starting bid for the 2nd pick of the draft very, very high, and the fact that the potential terms of the trade are out this early means that the Rams will have plenty of time to feel out the rest of the potential market which likely includes talking to the Cleveland Browns. For the Rams, the deal really couldn’t be much better. They move down in the first round, and not far either, and they pick up at least 3 additional picks to build their franchise around their young centerpiece, Sam Bradford.
Dissecting the Redskins’ end of the trade is much more difficult. I’m starting to get the sense that Mike Shanahan may be sensing an increase in pressure to get results. Since taking over the team, Shanahan has been unable to find a week-to-week starting quarterback that can lead the Redskins to consistent, productive offensive performances.
With Griffin, the Redskins would be getting possibly the most dynamic quarterback to enter the league since Michael Vick. Griffin is quicker than most defensive linemen or linebackers, and he can throw as well as any prospect in the draft. He has the potential to be a truly great quarterback. That proverbial “ceiling” may as well not exist for Griffin. He can literally be as great as he wants to be. The only limiting factor will be how much he’s willing to work for it, and I’ve heard no rumblings that Griffin lacks the work ethic required to succeed. He sounds as close to a slam dunk pick as possible.
The problem is that the Redskins will be depriving themselves of the opportunity to build the young nucleus that they desperately need to succeed in the long term. Griffin may get them a few more years next season, but at what cost? The leaking of what the Redskins are willing to give up for Griffin gives the Rams far more leverage than they already had, and it puts the Redskins in a dire position.
The Redskins will probably try to tell us that they haven’t determined what they’re willing to give up for Griffin, but we know they’ve had that discussion, possibly more than once. Griffin is one of the best prospects at the quarterback position over the past decade. The Redskins need a franchise quarterback, and it sounds like they’re willing to hand wash the Rams’ entire stadium if that’s what it takes to secure the 2nd pick of the draft. I just think they’re giving up too much now that will cost them in a big way down the road. These types of trades usually benefit one of the teams involved, not both, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which team will come out ahead.
