By coaching in the Senior Bowl, the Redskins’ coaching staff will get “special insight” on the top NFL Draft prospects on hand, general manager Bruce Allen said on Tuesday.
Allen spoke to Redskins Broadcast Network’s Larry Michael as part of Redskins.com’s coverage of the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Ala.
Head coach Mike Shanahan and his assistants are coaching the South squad. It’s the first time since 1998 – and seventh time overall – that the Redskins have coached in the Senior Bowl.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, and all of the teams, to get to see the best seniors in the country, in pads, and not in a combine type of atmosphere,” Allen said.
In addition to working with the players on the field, coaches also spend time with them in meeting rooms going over film and the playbook. They should get a good idea which players are most NFL-ready, who has good work and study habits and who can pick up schemes quickly.
Through the college football season, Redskins personnel officials compiled extensive reports on seniors and underclassmen eligible for the draft.
“We have a lot of information, but there’s nothing like seeing them running our drills, seeing them perform against top level players across the board,” Allen said. “The corners will be covering the best receivers and the offensive and defensive linemen are the best of the senior group.
“There’s nothing like seeing them in this type of [atmosphere] coached by NFL coaches and it’s especially beneficial to us because we’re coaching.”
The Redskins hold the No. 6 pick in this April’s NFL Draft and should be able to acquire one of the top-rated players.
The team’s selection should become clearer after free agency, which starts on Tuesday, March 13.
Allen said the Redskins will begin internal meetings for free agency around March 1, shortly after the NFL Scouting Combine.
