Lots of questions remain, however, and we try to tackle some of those in this week’s mailbag.

Thanks, as always for taking part, and keep the questions coming! E-mail me at mike.jones@washpost.com with the subject line “Mailbag question,” and we’ll do it all over again next Tuesday.

Here we go!

I think Scot McCloughan had another good draft, especially drafting for “Best Player” on their board instead of need. However, I do have a few questions that I hope you can add light to. DL was one the areas on Washington’s “needs” list. Several mock drafts had Washington taking Andrew Billings in the first round. Not only did he not go until the fourth round, but he was still on the board when Washington’s fourth-round pick came up and they traded it. Why didn’t the Redskins take Billings and why did he drop? Also, McCloughan traded the Redskins fourth- and fifth-round picks for picks next year. Do you have any idea why? Is next year’s draft predicted to be better than this year’s or was it McCloughan really didn’t like the players on the board after the third round?

AD

AD

– Larry Grant, Dale City

The Redskins appeared to get some good football players in this year’s draft. Even Scot McCloughan admitted surprise over the way that things played out, however. He never thought he would have drafted a wide receiver with his first pick. But Josh Doctson was still on the board, and so, sticking to his conviction of taking the best player available, McCloughan pulled the trigger on Doctson rather than a lower-rated defensive lineman.

Yesterday, McCloughan was asked why he waited so long to draft a defensive lineman yesterday, and here’s how he responded:

“I was looking. Again, it’s best player [available]. It’s 53 guys. In my personal opinion, if you draft for need, that’s when you get in trouble because all of the sudden you’re like, ‘Son of a gun, we had these three guys higher and they’re going to the Pro Bowl, but we forced the issue to take that guy.’ I wanted to address [defensive line] early. I wanted to address it [in the] first five picks, but again, I’m taking the best football player. I have to. For me to do my job and make this organization as strong as it can be, I’ve got to take the best football players.”

So, there’s his explanation on his thinking.

As far as Billings goes, I heard he wasn’t as versatile a defensive lineman as the Redskins wanted. Another factor in his slide from the first-round projections to the fourth round involved some reports of knee issues that also are believed to have the possibility of causing some hip problems. Billings very well could go on to prove himself as a great space-eater. But the Redskins want a nose tackle who also has the mobility and versatility to play more than one position and get after the quarterback as well. They wound up taking Matt Ioannidis, who they believe they can groom into a player who carves out a role at nose, and also play defensive tackle in their nickel packages.

AD

AD

As far as the trades for future picks, McCloughan said that he wasn’t really in love with the players that were at the board and rated at that pick’s value, and since a team was willing to offer up future picks, he took them up on the offers and moved down.

What is the early projected starting defensive line, and where will Junior Galette start? We seem to have depth on the outside. Any chances of someone moving to inside linebacker?

– T.J. Settles

Right now, a lot of this is still up in the air. The on-field walk-through kinds of offseason workouts have just started this week. More clarity will come later this spring and summer. Right now, the only sure thing is Chris Baker at left end. Nose tackle is a battle. Kedric Golston as an interim plan for Matt Ioannidis? Is practice-squad member Corey Crawford ready to compete for time there? At the other end position, you’ve got Ricky Jean Francois, Stephen Paea, Kendall Reyes and Ziggy Hood all fighting for a job.

AD

AD

Junior Galette is slated to start opposite Ryan Kerrigan, and Preston Smith is likely to see plenty of playing time as well.

Oh, that’s right, I left Trent Murphy off the list of defensive ends competing for playing time. He’s in the process of transitioning from outside linebacker to end. So, as you can see, the Redskins have plenty of bodies, now they’re trying to pinpoint the difference-makers.

Do you have any information on how Matt Jones has recovered from late-season injuries and offseason procedures? Do you think he can hold up over the course of a season?

– Michael Searby, Falls Church

The Redskins feel good about where things stand with Matt Jones as he continues to work his way back. He has the frame to hold up at 6-1, 230 pounds. A year into his career, he probably is learning more ways to improve durability as well. But, even though he’ll start, I think we’ll see plenty of Keith Marshall sprinkled in to help keep Jones fresh, similarly to how Jones split time with Alfred Morris.

AD

AD

With the Redskins selecting a wide receiver in the first round, do you foresee Andre Roberts being cut?

– Ben Myers

Andre Roberts does seem like the odd man out. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson remain in the team’s plans following Jamison Crowder took the slot receiver job from him. Rashad Ross took the kick returner job from him. Josh Doctson has size, speed and versatility. Ryan Grant isn’t flashy, but can play both receiver positions. Ross has speed. There are only so many opportunities to go around. And, cutting Roberts with a June 1 designation would save $4 million against the salary cap. But it’s possible he goes into training camp as one of the extra receivers and competes. We’ll see.

I understand and appreciate the Skins stuck to best player available strategy, but do you think it is odd that they did not draft a single interior offensive lineman? Are the Skins really that satisfied with their situation at left guard and center positions? Do you think the Skins may kick the tires with the recently released Matt Slauson? Anything you are hearing about the Skins singing any additional interior linemen?

– Henry Oh

I believe that they feel like they have good options at left guard. Spencer Long started there the bulk of the season. Shawn Lauvao is returning from injury, and last year’s fourth-round pick Arie Kouandjio will challenge for the job as well.

AD

AD

Center is less crowded. Well, there are bodies – Kory Lichtensteiger (the only proven player) and Josh LeRibeus and Austin Reiter – but question marks. Lichtensteiger proved himself as a solid player, but officials aren’t satisfied with the long-term. That doesn’t mean that they’re so dissatisfied that they wanted to reach on a player just to make sure they had another center. No, McCloughan believes in patience. I haven’t heard of any interest in Slauson. I think they’d rather stick with Lichtensteiger, and LeRibeus and Reiter in the meantime, and revisit the situation later.

I think it’s safe to say that Trent Murphy hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations as a second-round pick. Will the move to DE help jump-start his pass rush? Without addressing our run defense this offseason, it seems like we’re banking on cornerback play and getting after opposing quarterbacks to win games on defense.

– Brandon Katz

I’m sure the Redskins hoped Murphy would have a greater impact as a second-round pick. But he hasn’t been terrible. He has been solid, just not dominant. He has good length and strength, and does a good job against the run. He hasn’t displayed the speed and athleticism to dominate as an edge rusher. And that’s why the Redskins believe moving him inside to end could better suit him.

AD

AD

This move means potentially helping against the run, along with Baker, a new nose tackle (whether it’s Ioannidis or Crawford), new additions Reyes and Hood, a healthy Paea and returning Jean Francois. You can’t say they didn’t do anything to address their run defense. Maybe not as much as anyone expected in the draft, but they did make additions. We’ll see if they make a difference.

E-mail a Redskins question to mike.jones@washpost.com, with the subject “Mailbag question,” and it might be answered Tuesday in the Mailbag.