The Washington Redskins were expected by some to choose a wide receiver or a quarterback 10th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, but when the Redskins traded down to allow the Jacksonville Jaguars a shot at Blaine Gabbert they decided to go defense-first with their new first-rounder, selecting Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue as the fourth defensive end off the board.
Kerrigan starred for three years at Purdue, picking up 32 sacks between 2008 and 2010 in the course of being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
You can read a great scouting report on Kerrigan at Mocking the Draft, who love his quickness off the line and his “non-stop motor and hustle”, particularly as a quarterback chaser. Kerrigan’s a polished and popular pick more than an NFL project, even though he has struggled in the past against the run; the Redskins will expect solid pass-defense from him from day one.