Redskins rookies Roy Helu and Ryan Kerrigan were both named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team yesterday.
First round pick Kerrigan had a monster rookie season. With 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 41 tackles, the linebacker from Purdue was at times dominant in 2011. He played on every snap, a feat nobody else on the defense duplicated, and considering he had no offseason workouts and was playing 'out of position' from where he was drafted, Redskin fans have even more to look forward to out of Kerrigan in 2012.
When running back Roy Helu was selected by the Redskins in the 4th Round (105th overall), it was pretty much a consensus that the Skins got good value with the pick. It wasn't apparent how good a value it was, until he was inserted into the starting line-up. In that first game against the 49ers, Helu broke the Redskins single game record for receptions with 14 - not for running backs - for any player.
Coupled with the fact that despite playing in just five games, Helu finished with more yards than any other Redskins back (640 yards), he established himself as a bonafide dual threat out of the backfield. The future is bright for the young man out of Nebraska.
This in some ways starts to cement the 2011 Draft as the Redskins best draft in decades. Not only did all twelve of the picks manage to make either the 53-man roster or the practice squad, but ten of them found their way on to the field as well. Add to that, the fact that two of them performed at a high enough level to make the all-rookie team, and you have the makings of an absolutely terrific draft.
Let's face it, two of the best potential players were sidelined due to injury. Jarvis Jenkins showed all the signs of being able to be a dominant presence in the preseason, before a blown knee cost him his 2011 season. The same could be said for Leonard Hankerson, who after quietly earning his way into the staring line-up, showed flashes of greatness in his one and only full start for the Redskins.
The Washington Redskins won't be able to fully gauge the success of the 2011 NFL Draft for another few years, but after the first season, it looks like the organization did a tremendous job.
If they can duplicate that success in the 2012 NFL Draft, then the 2012 season should be a very improved season for the Washington Redskins.
Here is the full PFW All-Rookie team:
Offense
Quarterback
Cam Newton / Panthers
Running backs
Roy Helu / Redskins DeMarco Murray / Cowboys
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green / Bengals
Julio Jones / Falcons
Tight end
Kyle Rudolph / Vikings
Offensive guards
Stefen Wisniewski / Raiders
Danny Watkins / Eagles
Offensive tackles
Tyron Smith / Cowboys
Nate Solder / Patriots
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