Shanahan intrigued by top wide receivers in draft

The Washington Redskins hold the 10th pick in the draft and it seems there have been about 10 different explanations for how the team could go with the selection.

Obviously, the team is in need of a quarterback after the one-year fling with Donovan McNabb. There’s a need for a defensive lineman and that is the clear strength of this draft, at least the first round anyway. The Redskins have lacked a big-play threat at wide receiver. But would you draft a receiver before you have a comfortable you feel really good about?

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan seems intrigued with Alabama’s Julio Jones and Georgia’s A.J. Green. Whether or not one of them makes it to No. 10 remains to be seen. Both are considered can’t-miss prospects at a position where an abundance of high picks have flopped.

“That’s the two big names up there,” Shanahan said on a conference call, according to the Washington Post. “Everybody’s got them going 1-2. I think everyone was surprised when Jones ran the 4.38 (40-yard dash) over at Indianapolis; it was very impressive. When you look at A.J.’s game film, he’s just one of those natural receivers.

“There are a lot of different opinions on them, but I think they are two excellent receivers that are going to play for a lot of years. Jones is very physical both in the running game and carrying the football. I look at Green, he has experience running all of the different routes. Those wide receivers have some strengths and some weaknesses. It’ll be interesting to see which one goes first.”

Perhaps Shanahan will be looking to scoop up the other one if he makes it down to No. 10.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune