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(AP) -- FOXSports.com is reporting the Washington Redskins have a deal in place to acquire the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft and plan to take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Under the deal reported by the website, the Redskins and St. Louis Rams will swap first-round selections this year. The Rams also will receive multiple future first-round draft picks and other selections.
ESPN.com reported St. Louis will receive Washington's first and second-round picks this year, and the Redskins' first-round picks in 2013 and 2014.
The trade moves the Redskins up four places from sixth in the April draft, leapfrogging any other team that would have an interest in the Heisman Trophy winner. The Indianapolis Colts are expected to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick.
The bold move demonstrates how badly the Redskins are in need of a franchise quarterback after two decades of struggles. Coach Mike Shanahan has already whiffed on three in his two seasons in Washington, with Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck combining to produce an 11-21 record.
The Redskins were among the teams hoping to be in the running for Peyton Manning, but the odds were stacked against the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback coming to Washington. The offense needs upgrades at receiver and along the offensive line, and Peyton would have had to face his brother Eli Manning of the New York Giants twice a year in the NFC East.
The Rams were in the market to trade because they already have their franchise quarterback, 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford. The Redskins had to make an offer they felt would outbid the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns, who could have offered both the No. 4 and No. 22 selections in this year's draft.
By sacrificing four premium draft picks, Shanahan is reversing the plan he set in motion last year to stockpile picks to rebuild Washington's depleted roster. The Redskins, however, have plenty of space under the salary cap and can be aggressive in plugging their holes when free agency begins Tuesday.
Grossman and Beck combined to throw 24 interceptions last year, putting the Redskins just one behind league leaders Philadelphia and Buffalo on the way to a fourth consecutive last-place finish in the division. McNabb, acquired in a trade from the Eagles, was the starter for the first 13 games in 2010, when Washington went 6-10.