Report: DeSean Jackson's house robbed, gang suspected

By NBC Sports Washington October 23, 2015 12:30 PM

It's a streak: Caps and Wizards win a combined 6 in a row

Redskins' star wide receiver DeSean Jackson was the victim of a home invasion at his house in the Los Angeles area, according to a report from TMZ on Friday. Jackson was not at the home, but a fight broke out between several individuals and the police believe the altercation was related to gang affiliations.

Jackson was let go by the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2014 season in part because they believed he was involved in gang activity. This is the first incident since he signed with the Redskins that would potentially back that notion.

According to TMZ, four to five people stormed his home with guns and were met by six people who were at Jackson's house. There was a confrontation that reportedly included at least one person getting pistol-whipped.

The Redskins aren't big on analytics but the numbers are likely to influence their top draft pick

By Rich Tandler April 25, 2018 12:51 PM

2018 NFL Draft

The Redskins aren't big on analytics but awareness of trends will affe...

Local media members take a guess at Redskins' first-round pick

The Redskins are going to draft the best available player, unless they aren...

Final Redskins seven-round mock draft

Doug Williams talked about the draft, but actually explained free agency

There are always surprises in the NFL draft, but the 2018 edition may be the most unpredictable in years. There are a few factors at play here and they will affect who is available to the Redskins in the first round and who they end up drafting there.

One factor is analytics. Not all teams have a big analytics department but all 32 are aware of the trends in the game. One is that teams no longer emphasize establishing the run early in games. Teams pass in the first quarter on about 57 percent of the snaps. That run-pass ratio is about the same as it is during the other three quarters. It’s still a passing league from the opening kickoff until the clock hits 0:00.

So why, then, is Vita Vea, a pure nose tackle who likely will be of limited help against the pass, a possible top-10 pick who the Redskins reportedly would like to take at 13?

The way it looks now, Vea is going to be one of the best available players with a significant drop off to any players associated with the passing game except quarterbacks—wide receiver, left tackle, edge rusher, and outside cornerback.

The Redskins might rate Vea as more valuable than other teams because of how weak their rushing defense is. Teams ran at them on 47 percent of first-quarter plays, taking advantage of the weakness. This kept up through all four quarters; teams ran against the Redskins on 46 percent of the plays compared to 42 percent of all plays league-wide. Washington’s vulnerability against the rush may push Vea and probably Da’Ron Payne up on their draft boards even if they are of limited utility in the nickel defense.

Here is one more example of the numbers and talent affecting this draft. Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick played a variety of positions in Alabama’s secondary. The consensus opinion is that his best NFL fit is slot corner. Traditionally, that is not a first-round position because it’s has been a role, a part-time position.

But the view is shifting. Offenses take 62.6 percent of their snaps with three or more wide receivers on the field. That number only counts true wide receivers, so you can add a percentage point or two in for when a running back or tight end lines up out wide. As you would expect, a comparable number of defensive snaps (65.3%) are with five or more defensive backs on the field. The Redskins were in line with this. Slot corner Kendall Fuller played nearly 66 percent of the snaps last year.

Since you will utilize your slot corner on nearly two-thirds of your plays, if you can get a good one with the 13th pick you shouldn’t hesitate just because of the old view of the position. When you add in the fact that Fitzpatrick can play safety and outside corner as well the Redskins could well pull the trigger if he’s still there.

More Redskins

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCSand follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS.

Final 2018 NFL Mock Draft Predictions: Pundits, analysts project Redskins pick

By NBC Sports Washington April 25, 2018 12:28 PM