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Washington Redskins: Best pick from each of last 10 NFL Draft classes

By Hunter Noll

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder before the game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder before the game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Washington Redskins Alfred Morris
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 20: Running back Alfred Morris #46 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 20, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2012: Alfred Morris – Sixth Round, 173rd overall pick

Now we get to the fun stuff. Not only are we out of the stretch of first round pick, but we’re done with the obvious choices. This draft had multiple players that could’ve been afforded this slot. Say what you will about what they gave up for him, but Robert Griffin III did have an incredible rookie season. He led the Washington Redskins to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title. He also rejuvenated a fanbase, if only for a little while.

I’m also 100 percent of the belief Washington never gave him a fair chance. You can argue this all you want, but I don’t understand how a team can give up so much for someone, have them win Offensive Rookie of the Year and get you to the playoffs, then bench him midway through the next season. That sounds like someone they didn’t want to believe in.

Kirk Cousins is another candidate. Again he’s someone who divides not just Washington’s fanbase, but the entire NFL fanbase. That being said, he was a fourth-round selection who had some great statistical years with the Redskins. He also got them to the playoffs in his time. Keenan Robinson had some strong years at linebacker for the Redskins, and Tom Compton was a good backup offensive lineman taken late in the draft.

It has to go to Alfred Morris though. The running back was drafted in the sixth round, and recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons in Washington.

His rookie year was the most impressive, running for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns. There were arguments that he should get ROY over Griffin III even. His fourth and final season in Washington saw his only non-1,000-yard year with the team. In total, he amassed 4,713 yards on the ground in Washington (4.4 yards per carry). Morris scored 29 touchdowns in that time and gave the Redskins a deadly rushing attack for a few years.

He’s also the only one of the three candidates that doesn’t completely divide the Washington Redskins fanbase. Sure, some will argue over just how good he was, but never to the extent of Griffin III and Cousins. That has to count for something, right?

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