Redskins.com takes a look back at some of the great Redskins draft classes in franchise history:
1979 REDSKINS DRAFT:
4. Don Warren, TE, San Diego State
7. Rich Milot, LB, Penn State
9. Kris Haines, WR, Notre Dame
11. Monte Coleman, LB, Central Arkansas
11. Tony Hall, WR, Knoxville
Throughout the 1970s, the Redskins traded away their top draft picks time and again--and 1979 was no exception. Once again, the franchise had to make the most of limited selections on draft day.
In 1979, the Redskins traded away their first four selections before finally making a pick in the fourth round, at No. 103 overall.
That pick turned out to be Don Warren, considered one of the best tight ends in Redskins history.
The 6-4, 250-pound tight end played 14 seasons in Washington and was known for his gritty play. He was an integral part of the Redskins’ three Super Bowl championships.
In his first four NFL seasons, Warren averaged 28 receptions for 318 yards. As he adapted to Joe Gibbs’ offense, blocking became his forte. He was a vital cog in the single-back, double tight end setup that defined the team’s offense throughout the 1980s.
Overall, Warren played in 193 games for the Redskins. He logged 244 career receptions for 2,536 yards--a 10.4 yards-per-catch average--and seven touchdowns.
The Redskins did not pick again in the 1979 draft until the seventh round, when the team selected linebacker Rich Milot out of Penn State.
Milot was a part-time starter early in his career, logging four interceptions in his sophomore campaign. He became a regular starter in 1982, the year the Redskins captured their first Super Bowl champion.
The 6-4, 232-pound outside linebacker played an aggressive style of defense, thriving as a pass rusher and in coverage. He played in 121 games in his career, recording 14.5 sacks and 13 interceptions.
Milot retired after the 1987 season, earning a second Super Bowl ring as a backup to Mel Kaufman.
The 11th round brought the Redskins another outside linebacker in Monte Coleman, a 6-3, 240-pounder out of Central Arkansas, a NAIA school.
Coleman turned out to be great value for an 11th-round draft pick.
Equipped with 4.4 speed in the 40, he mostly served as the Redskins’ nickel linebacker and was versatile in pass rush and pass coverage. His specialty was covering running backs on pass routes.
He tallied 1,009 tackles, 56.5 sacks (the team’s fourth-highest all-time total), intercepted 17 passes and recovered 15 fumbles. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
Coleman retired in 1994 with three Super Bowl rings. He played in 216 games, a team record until legendary cornerback Darrell Green broke it in 1997.
He is one of only three Redskins to play at least 16 seasons with the franchise, along with quarterback Sammy Baugh (16) and Green (20).
The Redskins also selected a pair of young wide receivers in the 1979 NFL Draft: Kris Haines out of Notre Dame and Tony Hall out of Knoxville.
Neither player was able to establish himself with the Redskins--setting the stage for the franchise to select Redskins great Art Monk in the first round of the 1980 draft.
