Redskins get 3 big targets in second round

The Washington Redskins faced third-and-long early in the immediate gratification department of Saturday’s NFL draft. At least as compared to their NFC East rivals – the competition that counts most.

“Blah” is a seismic shift for a franchise addicted to buzz-grabbing personnel moves that blow up like phony Cohibas.

But the Skins, whose bid for Cincinnati’s trouble-making Chad Johnson was foiled last week, opted out of the first round to feather their second-round nest.

That kind of discretion doesn’t move the needle. Yet, by going conservative in a draft thin on elite talent, the Skins this time listened to their brain instead of losing their mind.

Then again, you never can tell with Redskins owner Dan Snyder. The other cleat could be about to fall as we speak.

But if you take Washington’s three-pass-catcher first day at face value – and not as a reloading to make another trade run at old Ocho Cinco – the Redskins could come to appreciate their patient Saturday, too.

Yes, Dallas knocked it out of the park in the first round. The Cowboys made off with the running back they coveted – Arkansas’ Felix Jones – and top-rated cornerback Mike Jenkins of South Florida.

Philadelphia improved quickly, too. First, it picked Carolina’s pocket – claiming a No. 1 pick next year for Saturday’s No. 19. That’s a heist, considering the Eagles had no one they wanted to pay 19th-pick money.

Then, with the first round still proceeding, Philly dealt a fourth-rounder to Miami for running back Lorenzo Booker, a third-rounder last year.

The Super Bowl champion New York Giants? Also instant uptick, grabbing the draft’s best safety, Miami’s Kenny Phillips.

That left the Redskins empty-handed with twiddling thumbs. After much pre-draft trying, they finally dealt their 21st pick to Atlanta for a couple of second- rounders. Not a fleecing like Philly, but not bad.

Still, early advantage went to the rest of the NFC East. Not good for a team that barely slipped into the playoffs and is retrenching with a new coach and coordinators.

Except the Washington Wallflowers gradually unfolded their hand, which evidently was the take-the-best-(offensive)-player-available approach:

That turned into the second receiver drafted, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas at No. 34, widely considered a first-round talent and, at 6-foot-2, a nice addition to the Redskins’ vertically challenged pass-catching corps.

Then at No. 48 came Southern Cal tight end Fred Davis, the ’07 Mackey Award winner as Division I’s best tight end and – not incidentally – 6-4.

Then three picks later, yet another can’t-miss-him target – 6-4, 218-pound wideout Malcolm Kelly from Oklahoma – to add to coach Jim Zorn’s quick-hit offense.

Like that, the Redskins – who have six picks left today, although three are seventh-rounders – weren’t playing catch-up anymore in this talent grab.

They also looked like a team with a plan and the determination to stick it out. A little eccentric, maybe. It’s still the Redskins after all.

But with three picks, Washington picked up value three times for an offense that’s been hard to love. And value lets you do stuff.

Give it another day to play out.

Tom Robinson, (757) 446-2518, tom.robinson@pilotonline.com