Redskins line up possible choices

INDIANAPOLIS — Improve an unproductive pass rush or a wretched rush defense?

Go with a physically gifted defensive tackle or a productive defensive end?

Keep the No. 6 pick or trade down to secure much-needed depth?

Those are just three of the questions the Washington Redskins have started to ponder this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

It has been established the Redskins will go defense in the first round. After that, cue the crapshoot.

“We know there will be some really talented guys available, but game-plan wise I feel really comfortable saying that we’ll take the best player no matter what,” coach Joe Gibbs said.

If the Redskins do keep the sixth pick, the best players likely to still be on the board will be defensive linemen, including the highly regarded trio of Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson and Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch.

The Redskins have four defensive ends and only one starter-quality defensive tackle on their roster. But ends Andre Carter, Renaldo Wynn, Phillip Daniels and Demetric Evans combined for only 11 sacks. Wynn and Daniels could be released this week.

“I don’t feel a lot of pressure to have to do something there,” Gibbs said.

If the Redskins commit to addressing the defensive line, their next decision will be to draft either an end who can rush the passer or a space-taking defensive tackle to complement an aging Cornelius Griffin and help a defense that ranked 27th against the run.

“At No. 6, you’re trying to pick a player that, regardless of what position he plays, will make a real impact and is somebody that will be around and go to Pro Bowls for you,” Gibbs said.

Making the selection even more important is the Redskins’ lack of draft picks.

Thanks to trades that allowed them to acquire the underwhelming T.J. Duckett, Rocky McIntosh and Brandon Lloyd, the Redskins are without picks in rounds 2, 3 and 4, making it even more vital that they find an immediate starter with their first pick.

Had the Redskins held on to their picks, they would have four of the first 100 selections.

“Not having second-, third- or fourth- round picks really hurts because those picks are early in each round and that should have been three starters,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.

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