Washington has just five picks -- its average number of selections from 2003-07 -- including a compensatory seventh-rounder. The Redskins have the 13th overall selection, don't choose again until No. 80 and then wait until No. 150.

Given their glaring holes at strong-side linebacker and left defensive end, their serious concerns about offensive right tackle and their uncertainty about quarterback beyond this season, look for executive vice president Vinny Cerrato, who runs the draft, to try to trade down from No. 13 to acquire a lower first-rounder and a second-rounder or perhaps a pair of second-rounders to help fill the team's multiple needs.

If the Redskins stay put at No. 13, they'll be praying that Texas defensive end/outside linebacker Brian Orakpo is still on the board. Washington apparently loves Orakpo and would start him on the strong side either at end or linebacker depending on where he fits best and how the veterans at those spots fare in training camp and preseason.

Assuming Orakpo is gone and Washington doesn't trade out of the pick, that's when things could get pretty hairy in the draft war room.

There are a number of ends who are possible including LSU's Tyson Jackson, Penn State's Aaron Maybin, Northern Illinois' Larry English, Tennessee's Robert Ayers, Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson, and in a later round, Richmond's Lawrence Sidbury.

Rey Maualuga might be considered a slightly better prospect than fellow USC linebacker Brian Cushing, but the former plays inside and the Redskins don't have the immediate need there; London Fletcher, the heart and soul of their defense, is still rolling. However, Fletcher will be 34 in May and can't last much longer. The strong-side possibilities on the roster are so weak that Washington might have to take Cushing.

There's another Trojan in the mix, too.

Mark Sanchez plays quarterback, which is not a need this season. However, owner Dan Snyder and Cerrato have admitted that they tried to replace starter Jason Campbell with Jay Cutler earlier this month. Given that lack of support and the expiration of the incumbent's contract after the season, the Redskins need to prepare for life after Campbell. Current backup Todd Collins is nearing retirement and third-stringer Colt Brennan enters 2009 totally unproven. That makes Sanchez tempting despite the big holes on the left side of the defense.

But what if Campbell has a big year and re-signs? Then Sanchez is superfluous. Drafting him is a gamble, but Snyder has never shied from that kind of move. The Redskins moved up to take Campbell in 2005 although they had veteran Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey, then heading into only his fourth year but with 23 starts under his belt, at quarterback.

Finally, there's right tackle where longtime starter Jon Jansen, 33, isn't a favorite of coach Jim Zorn, who benched him last summer and only put him back in the lineup because replacement Stephon Heyer was hurt. The Redskins aren't enamored with Jansen or Heyer as the starter and could be tempted if Mississippi's Michael Oher is on the board at No. 13. And someone has to gamble on Alabama's Andre Smith, considered the top college tackle at the end of last season before his ugly combine and jiggling campus workout.

TEAM NEEDS: Defensive end, linebacker, offensive tackle, quarterback.

Defensive end -- Bringing back Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels helped, but the former will be 35 in September and was a backup the past three years while the latter is 36 and missed all of last season following major knee surgery. CFL refugee Chris Wilson is a speed rusher who has yet to start a game. Rob Jackson hardly played as a rookie. Alex Buzbee has never played and like Daniels missed all of last season following knee surgery. Andre Carter, the only sure thing at the position, is coming off the worst of his three years in Washington.

Linebacker -- Having cut five-year starter Marcus Washington, the Redskins are left with these options at strong-side linebacker: journeyman Robert Thomas, cast off by the Rams, Packers and Raiders during the past four years and a player better suited for the weak side; 5-10 H.B. Blades or career special-teamer Alfred Fincher. Special teams ace Khary Campbell remains unsigned. And middle man Fletcher, while still playing at a high level, will be 34 in May.

Offensive tackle -- Jansen wore down at the end of last season, turned 33 in 2007 and missed virtually all of 2004 and 2007 with injuries. But he kept Heyer, now in his third year, on the bench for most of 2008. The Redskins are worried about this position. And while left tackle Chris Samuels made his sixth Pro Bowl in 2008, he soon turns 32, was beat-up last year and is coming off elbow and knee surgeries.

Quarterback -- On the surface, the Redskins seem fine with Jason Campbell starting, Todd Collins as the backup and 2008 rookie Colt Brennan, a preseason star, waiting in the wings. However, Campbell has been inconsistent during his 36 starts and the Redskins tried to trade him this month and acquire Jay Cutler from the Broncos. With Campbell due to be a free agent in 2010, the Redskins have to be looking for a replacement, especially since Collins will be 38 in November and sixth-rounder Brennan played in the run-and-shoot in college and has yet to take a real NFL snap.