Appearing on Bill Simmons' B.S. Report podcast, Michael Lombardi of NFL Network had some interesting things to say on the 2012 NFL draft regarding both Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.
Lombardi, who in his 24 years of experience working in NFL front offices has held top jobs in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Oakland, was very confident in saying that Griffin and Andrew Luck will be picked No. 1 and 2 in April's draft.
"I promise you he'll be the second pick," Lombardi said. "Could even be first. I can't promise you that, but Luck and Griffin are going 1-2 in some combination."
Lombardi's thinking implies that there will be a trade with the St. Louis Rams, who hold the No. 2 pick. It has been widely assumed that the Rams will hold that selection for ransom, as St. Louis has no current need at quarterback.
Lombardi mentioned both the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins as potential teams that would swing such a deal, but leaned more towards the Redskins.
"Cleveland wants to be more of an under center team," Lombardi said, mentioning that Griffin III might need to play more in the shotgun early in his NFL career. Indeed, with Brad Childress as the Browns' new offensive coordinator, matching Griffin III with Cleveland isn't an ideal fit in Lombardi's opinion.
In terms of a trade up, however, Lombardi likes Washington's chances. The relationship between the two coaches involved increases that probability.
"Mike Shanahan and Jeff Fisher are very close," Lombardi said. "If there is a trade to be made, it'll happen between those two."
The Redskins have arguably the NFL's greatest need at quarterback, with Rex Grossman (free agent) and John Beck as the two players who started at that position in 2011. Bringing back that combination would likely mean the Redskins would be picking in the Top 10 again next April.
While some have speculated that the Redskins could go after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, if or when he's released, Lombardi has plenty of reservation about the health of Manning.
"He can't throw. I've talked to people who have caught for him, and he can't throw to his left," Lombardi said. "He can't throw across his body because he can't feel it. People that catch the ball for him have said he doesn't really have velocity."
Manning missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing his third neck surgery.
Of course, Lombardi's opinion isn't necessarily written in stone as truth. He could be 100 percent speculating on everything discussed. However, his comments should pique some interest, especially among Redskins fans.
Would you rather give up draft picks for Robert Griffin III or sign a health-risk in Peyton Manning?
That's the question that the Redskins' decision makers will have to make in the coming months.
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