Dwayne Haskins urged Redskins to take him

During his pre-draft visit with the Washington Redskins, Dwayne Haskins went out for a steakhouse dinner with coach Jay Gruden and other members of the organization. Over the course of the evening, the parties got to know each other. Haskins, for instance, got a taste of Gruden’s quick-witted sense of humor.

But while they were at the meal, the 21-year-old quarterback made his desires clear: He urged the Redskins to draft him.

“They said they liked me, they said they want me,” Haskins said Saturday, recalling the dinner, “so I (said) pick me or come up and get me, whatever you want to do.

“Just don’t say that and then don’t be about it.”

The Redskins followed through — taking Haskins Thursday with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft. Everything had fallen in place for Washington to do so. The New York Giants preferred Duke’s Daniel Jones and other quarterback-needy teams like the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins passed on Haskins.

Haskins’ pleas, though, ultimately weren’t the reason the Redskins chose him to be their quarterback of the future — “He said that to all the teams probably,” Gruden said with a laugh.

Instead, when the Redskins studied and met with Haskins, they saw a prospect with “all of the tools” to be an exceptional quarterback in the NFL.

The Redskins were impressed with Haskins’ lone year as a starter at Ohio State — in which he thrived from the pocket, set conference records in passing yards (4,831) and touchdowns (50) and engineered the second-best offense in the country.

“For playing only one year to put up the numbers that he put up is really incredible so we feel like there is such an upside with him that you couldn’t pass him up,” Gruden said.

It became clear to Haskins last week that the Redskins were most likely going to take him, especially in the day or two before the draft. He said it “all made sense” — from his connection with owner Dan Snyder to his meetings with the team throughout the draft process. Haskins, too, had local ties — going to high school at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland.

“It was just a matter of what pick they were going to pick me at,” Haskins said.

When draft night finally arrived, Haskins watched the event from a bowling alley with family and friends in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He said his agent tipped him picks ahead of time, knowing by the fourth pick that New York would take Jones instead. As the Giants’ pick was announced, television cameras caught Haskins shaking his head and laughing at the selection.

Asked if the Giants passing on him stung, Haskins said “no.” But he noted that he’s looking forward to playing against New York twice per year. The Redskins face the Giants in Weeks 4 and 16 next season.

First, Haskins will have to win the starting job. The Redskins plan to be patient with Haskins, who will have to beat out veterans Case Keenum and Colt McCoy to start Week 1.

Beyond concerns about his inexperience, some scouts also see Haskins as having a long delivery with slow feet. Gruden said he didn’t see those concerns when he attended Haskins’ pro day in March. But the coach added Haskins will have to get used to the speed of the NFL.

Haskins doesn’t mind having to compete. He said he did the same thing at Ohio State, sitting behind J.T. Barrett for two years.

Even if it takes time for Haskins to start, the Redskins appear invested in Haskins. They made a big show of his first press conference, introducing him and fellow first-rounder Montez Sweat at the Jefferson Memorial. More so, for a once-proud franchise that has seen attendance dip in recent years, they desperately need Haskins to pan out.

Haskins, however, said he’s just glad to be wanted. On draft night, he told ESPN the league had “done messed up” for letting him fall all the way to No. 15.

He’s motivated to prove them wrong.

“I never lost the chip on my shoulder,” Haskins said. “It’s been there my whole life, so if anything it’s bigger. I’m just looking forward to getting in and getting to work.”