WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Redskins had the best draft in the division. So says Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s draft guru. He loves what they got not only in the second round, but beyond.

It’s worthy of a B-plus.

“They could have gotten an A if they had drafted a defensive lineman,” Kiper said, “Their goal was to get weapons for Jason Campbell and they accomplished that goal with three guys who all can play and have some impact in year one. They got a punter [Durant Brooks] with a big leg who will really challenge [Derrick] Frost and then as a bonus they can work with Colt Brennan over a few years and he could be a solid backup one day. I don’t think they wasted a pick.”

Bring on the Super Bowl trophies! 

Not so fast, say others.

The Redskins should cross their fingers with each of their second-round selections. So writes Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki, who is dubious of each of Washington’s second-round picks — receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly and tight end Fred Davis. He liked aspects of each, but questioned Thomas as a one-year wonder; said Davis had “bust potential” and wondered about Kelly’s work ethic and mental toughness.

Russ Lande, a former NFL scout who now runs the Sporting News’ War Room, likes Thomas and Kelly (but not Davis; wonders about his effort). He said two scouts told him they would have lobbied hard for Kelly around 20 if he had run a better 40-yard dash.

“One of the [scouts] said he had the best hands he’s ever seen by a big receiver,” Lande said. “He has a natural explosiveness. ... Kelly was a bargain where they got him.”

One guy Lande really likes is offensive guard/tackle Chad Rinehart, the third-rounder from Northern Iowa.

“They hit a home run with him,” Lande said. “He can start for them.”

Fukudome: A star on two continents

His performance on Opening Day, and practically every game thereafter, endeared him to Chicago. Which makes him popular on two continents.

The Chicago Cubs’ 31-year-old rookie, Kosuke Fukudome, is fast becoming a legend in the Windy City. In the opener, he had three hits and three RBI. Through Sunday, he was hitting .329 with a .444 on-base percentage and 18 runs scored for the first-place Cubs.

It’s no wonder he’s popular. Fans in the right field bleachers now are wearing headbands and T-shirts with Japanese slogans on the front. Vendors peddle them outside Wrigley Field.

However, Fukudome has told the Cubs media that sometimes the headbands are worn upside down — and occasionally the writing is in Chinese.

After games, dozens of Japanese media surround Fukudome. That scene didn’t quite unfold this past weekend when the Cubs played in Washington. However, The Examiner’s Brian McNally said there were usually 12 to 14 Japanese reporters around his locker after games. They patiently waited at his locker for 15 minutes, not interacting with any other players.

Clearly, they like him. The Japanese media presented him with a birthday cake before Saturday’s game. There was just one problem. They misspelled his name.

Fukudome’s magic did not extend to Washington, however. He finished just three of 12 with four strikeouts.

Henderson locks in with Vikings

Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson gambled and lost. He opted to enter the NFL Draft early and ended up as an undrafted free agent, signing with Minnesota.

But one talent evaluator said he’s going to a team that should be a good fit for him and not just because his brother, E.J. plays for the Vikings. They play a 4-3 and need a backup weakside linebacker.

“The reason he fell is that he got locked into one spot,” the evaluator said. “He has to be a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense so if you already have one of those, you’re not going to draft him.”

Henderson’s injury past was a factor, too. He missed one season with a knee injury; he had knee and back problems this past year.

“They definitely played a role,” the evaluator said. “And his workouts were good, but he didn’t do anything that makes you say, ‘We must bring him in.’”

Column inches

Opinions from around the nation on the hottest topics in sports:

“Matt Ryan? Not a brutal pick for the Falcons at No. 3 overall in the NFL draft on Saturday, but it was far from brilliant. Mediocre comes to mind, and so does this thought: If Michael Vick wasn’t officially gone before as the face of the Falcons, he is now.”

— Terence Moore writing about the changing face of Atlanta’s football team (Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

“What we don’t know is why so many major league players don’t hustle. Or don’t care. When did running to first base become an option? Why does it persist as an option? That’s the part that needs explaining. Why wear spikes?”

— Phil Mushnick writing about the modern player (New York Post).

“It makes sense that the Eagles would try to become really good on defense. It makes sense to load up on that side of the ball, particularly along the line. ... It really impresses you as a good, sound plan. But what does Donovan [McNabb] think? It is the question that nags, never far from the surface.”

— Rich Hoffman wondering how McNabb feels about the Eagles focusing on defense in the draft (Philadelphia Daily News).

“Henrik Lundqvist spent the first 33 minutes in the Rangers’ goal yesterday looking as though he could glove a moth in a snowstorm. Then he got better. ... Nothing was getting past him, and it looked as though that might be the case for the next week or so.”

— Gene Collier writing about the Rangers’ goalie after the Penguins 2-0 victory (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

On the record

 “[The Pistons] are really nonchalant and that’s why I felt we lost last year. It sounds crazy, but they [couldn’t] care less.”

— TNT analyst Chris Webber, an ex-Piston, before Sunday’s Philadelphia-Detroit matchup.

“It’s something we want to raise with the union. The veterans who have performed on the NFL level deserve that compensation.”

— NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussing a rookie salary cap on the NFL Network.

By the numbers:

6: Losses Giants pitcher Barry Zito has suffered this season after signing a seven-year, $126 million deal in 2006. Zito (0-6) was demoted to the bullpen Sunday.

10: Years the New York Daily News is reporting future Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens maintained an affair with country music singer Mindy McCready.