Report: Redskins won't part with 2nd in RG3 deal

By Rich Tandler

The Redskins are willing to offer their first-round picks in both 2012 and 2013 in order to trade up to the second pick in this year’s NFL draft, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That pick would presumably be used to take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

As of now, however, Washington is unwilling to part with its second-round pick in 2012 in such a deal. The Rams view that as a deal breaker, according to the article by Rams beat writer Jim Thomas.

It appears that the Rams may have a problem collecting the bounty of picks they would like to get in exchange for moving down. The Browns, who hold the fourth pick, are unwilling to part with their other first-round pick, obtained in a trade last year with the Falcons, in a trade up, either.

According to Thomas, the Browns and Redskins are the two serious contenders to make a deal with the Rams and “Washington continues to rate as the front-runner.” He said that the possibility of the Dolphins moving up is “dead in the water” and that there is “no chance” that the Rams would deal the rights to Griffin to their division rivals in Seattle.

The article does mention that the Rams did not deny that some “mystery teams” could be in the bidding but it is doubtful that any team outside of the top 10 or 12 teams could give up what it would take to move all the way up to the second spot.

The Rams are in a somewhat sticky position if they want to deal the pick. They want to get fair value for it, perhaps more than fair value since RG3 is a coveted commodity. But if they try to ask for too much teams could go to the Vikings, who have the third pick. It is widely believed that St. Louis will not draft Griffin as they are set at quarterback with Sam Bradford. Minnesota also has no interest in Griffin as they took Christian Ponder with the 12^th overall pick a year ago.

With the talks heating up it seems like there is a very good chance that a deal will be formalized soon after the start of the league year on March 13. But in that remaining time there is a lot of poker to be played. 

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.