The Redskins were looking for players that could help them on special teams late in the draft and Blades fits that mold.  He is 5′10″, 247 pounds which is decent size for a middle linebacker and he runs a 4.78 40.  Blades doesn’t have the range to make plays outside the box and he’s not good at all in coverage.  But, he plays hard all of the time….he’s just not that talented of a football player despite the production he had in college.  In 48 games (36 starts) for Pitt, Blades made 433 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, had 4 sacks, broke up 15 passes and had 6 interceptions.  Blades was worth picking in the 6th round, just don’t expectany miracles out of him.

The Redskins were looking for anyone that could help them out on defense when they made their 2nd pick of the draft.  Sartz is a converted free safety so he’s good in pass coverage and he can handle tight ends man to man.  But, at 6′4″, 233 pounds Sartz gets pushed around in the running game and he misses a lot of tackles that should be made.  He will likely make the team as a backup linebacker and special teams player.  In 53 games at USC (34 starts), Sartz made 194 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, had 12.5 sacks, broke up 16 passes and had 2 interceptions.  Sartz was worth a 5th round pick, but don’t expect too much production out of him as a rookie.

That was quick.  Hilton practiced with the Redskins a couple of times and they were not impressed so they ditched him.  That says a lot about Hilton as the Redskins really could have used some help at tight end.

The Redskins don’t usually care about Draft Day as they usually trade all their picks for veteran players.  But, they might have hit a home run with this pick.  Landry was a 4-year starter at LSU and he was the quarterback of their defense as he using made all the calls.  Teaming him with Sean Taylor could really instill fear in receivers that venture over the middle against the Redskins.  Landry has nice size at 6′0″, 202 and he runs a 4.45 40 which allows him to play a little closer to the line of scrimmage.  Landry is a hard hitter and a sure tackler against the running game and he’s a playmaker in the passing game.  At LSU Landry played in 52 games (48 starts) and he made 315 tackles, broke up 22 passes, intercepted 12 passes (returned them for 151 yards) and he forced 2 fumbles.  Landry was an outstanding pick for the Redskins.

The Redskins have signed TE Zach Hilton and RB Derrick Blaylock to 1-year contracts.  Hilton didn’t play last season but he had a good rookie year for the Saints in 2005.  In that year, Hilton caught 35 passes for 396 yards (11.3 avg) with 1 TD catch.  Hilton is good in the red zone and blocking for the run because he’s 6′8″, 268 pounds.  Derrick Blaylock played for the Jets last season and things didn’t go too well for him there.  He played in 4 games (2 starts) for the Jets and he carried the football 25 times for 44 yards (1.8 ypc).  He also caught 5 passes for 29 yards (5.8 avg).  Neither of these signings cost the Redskins much cash so they were good gambles to take.