The Washington Redskins yesterday denied a published report that they are looking to move up in this month’s NFL Draft to select Iowa tackle Robert Gallery.
“April Fool’s is eight days late,” vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said of an ESPN.com report that claimed Washington is “ardent in its pursuit of Gallery.”
“At this time of year, there’s so many rumors out there,” Cerrato said. “These next two weeks, you can’t believe anything you hear.”
The Redskins, who hold the No.5 selection of the first round, likely would have to move up to Oakland’s No.2 draft position to take Gallery, one of this year’s most coveted players. Even that might not be high enough to draft the mammoth left tackle. Rumors have the New York Giants trading up to San Diego’s No.1 position, where they would pick Gallery or Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning.
The notion of Washington having interest in Gallery, however, isn’t totally ludicrous. The tackle was one of a handful of top prospects to visit Redskin Park this week, joining Miami tight end Kellen Winslow II and others in meeting club officials.
Still, if the Redskins were pursuing Gallery, they likely would have a hard time striking a deal to move up three draft spots. Wide receiver Rod Gardner, the player most often rumored to be on the trading block, wouldn’t command such a high price. And the club has only two other picks this year (fifth- and sixth-round selections) to package with any future selections in a trade proposal.
Washington also already has two of the game’s highest-paid tackles in Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels. There has been talk of dissension between the club and Samuels, who had a subpar season by his standards in 2003, but the Redskins have shown no indications of trading or releasing the two-time Pro Bowl player.
A source with knowledge of the situation said yesterday the Redskins probably don’t have the wherewithal to move up high enough in the draft to select Gallery.
Club sources have maintained that they have zeroed in on drafting either Winslow or Miami safety Sean Taylor at the No.5 position or trading down to acquire more picks.
Meanwhile, Cerrato said the Redskins are still waiting to hear from free agent Warrick Holdman. Washington made its second contract offer to the former Chicago Bears linebacker this week.
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