Month: December 2012 (Page 2 of 3)

Thursday notes: C.J. Mosley will return to Alabama

As you can see from the tweet above, Nick Saban announced at a press conference today that C.J. Mosley will not be turning pro. It’s not a major surprise – many of Alabama’s big name defensive players have gone the distance over the last few years. He would’ve been an option for the Seahawks at the WILL position in the first two rounds of next April’s draft. Despite today’s news, Alec Ogletree is still expected to declare while seniors Arthur Brown and Khaseem Greene will make up for the loss of Mosley from the 2013 draft class.

Dan Kadar at Mocking the Draft is running an ‘underclassmen tracker’ which is worth bookmarking.

Cordarrelle Patterson is definitely declaring the 2013 NFL Draft.

That’s according to Tennesee’s new Head Football Coach Butch Jones, who wished him well and left it at that.

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this guy. I watched an awful lot of Vols games this year and sure enough – there are some issues. He’s far from the finished article. He’ll enter the league having spent one year in the NCAA as a JUCO transfer. All those words used to describe a guy in this situation – ‘raw’, ‘undercooked’… they all apply.

And yet he has such fantastic physical potential, you just can’t help but get excited. Ideal height (6-4), weight (205lbs) speed (legit 4.3/4.4 runner) and production (record setting all-purpose yards season). He could be the next big thing. Truly, he could.

He chose Tennessee despite serious interest from virtually every big school in the SEC. He visited LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss and Georgia. He had offers from Arkansas, Miami, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Baylor. In the end he probably made the right decision. Despite Tennessee’s struggles this year, he went to a team that found different ways to get the ball in his hands. From the three big name prospects turning pro from that school (Justin Hunter, Tyler Bray and Patterson) – he’s the one with some momentum.

I put him in the top-15 of my updated mock draft yesterday with good reason. Despite all of the ‘boom or bust’ labels he’ll receive, you just can’t get away from the upside. He’s a threat to score every single time the ball’s in his hands. Couldn’t the Dolphins do with a player like that? A big time playmaker to aid the development of Ryan Tannehill? Would he get past a team like Minnesota, who clearly need someone to take some of the strain away from Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin? And if he does make it to the Seahawks, would they not consider adding an explosive receiver to this offense? An offense that’s zoned in to quick strikes in the passing game?

A few years ago Mel Kiper was beating the drum for a similar player, this time on the defensive side of the ball. His name was Jason Pierre-Paul. Terrific athlete, major upside and looked the part on tape. But he was raw. He seemed unprepared for the pro-game, maybe even a little immature. Yet Kiper promoted that guy and in fairness, he was justified in doing so. He might not be the first to the party this time regarding Patterson, but he’s similarly intrigued by Patterson. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see a similar outcome, with CP going on to become one of the league’s more dynamic talents.

Prospect watch: BYU vs San Diego State

BYU has one of the better senior defensive lineman on their roster in Ezekiel Ansah. He’s 6-6 and 278lbs and his best football will likely come at the next level. Although he’s not an obvious target for the Seahawks (not a LEO, Seattle has depth with Clemons/Irvin), he has prototype size for the end position and a lot of upside. Also keep an eye on Kyle Van Noy – an undersized outside linebacker who’s registered 11.5 sacks this year. He’ll have a tough decision to make over whether to declare or not, but he could be a mid-rounder next April. I’ve posted a game tape video below of his performance against San Jose State.

A player perhaps more relevant for Seahawks fans is San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar. He’s a pure pass-catcher and doesn’t do much blocking – but at 6-5 and 255lbs he’s the latest candidate for the ‘could be the next Jimmy Graham’ award. Escobar’s a tremendous athlete for his size and could easily be a second round pick. He’s had big games and very quiet games this year, but hopefully he’ll end the season on a high-note and put on a show for the watching NFL scouts.

A further thought on yesterday’s mock update

Click here to see this weeks ‘far too early’ projection. I think Zach Ertz will interest Seattle if he does declare. There’s no doubting the Seahawks need to do something at receiver or tight end. Right now they’re an injury away to Sidney Rice or Golden Tate and life will become very difficult for Russell Wilson. Ideally, they find a receiver that warrants a high pick. Brandon Coleman, Cordarrelle Patterson, DeAndre Hopkins, Markus Wheaton… there are options out there. They also have a lot of money invested in Zach Miller and Anthony McCoy continues to show enough potential to keep the faith that he can deliver on his major upside.

However, there’s something about Ertz that screams ‘Seattle’.

The Seahawks are already using a lot of 2TE sets. I suspect they’d like to do so even more. Ertz is a good enough blocker (others disagree, but I think it’s actually a strong point of his) to stay on the field for any play call. At Stanford he and Levine Toilolo are pretty much the primary targets in the passing game. They run the ball a lot, utilise play action and look to get the tight ends lined up against linebackers. Theoretically the Seahawks could use Rice and Tate out wide with Ertz and Miller at the line of scrimmage. That’s four legitimate targets for Russell Wilson in a formation that traditionally screams ‘run play’ to the defense.

If necessary, there’s nothing to stop Ertz lining up in the slot or even out wide. He does it at Stanford. It’s not an unthinkable move for the Seahawks.

In round two I went for Khaseem Greene. After Alec Ogletree and Arthur Brown, he’s probably the most logical WILL prospect for this defense. He’s right up there with C.J. Mosley in that regard. He’s an athlete without ideal size for the position, but the Seahawks aren’t asking their linebackers to get too involved in the trenches. They want to rush four, let the defensive line do its job and free up the linebackers and defensive backs to make plays. Ogletree, Brown, Greene or Mosley would be terrific additions to a growing defense. Of course, unless they can add a pass rushing three-technique (the teams greatest need), they’ll struggle to make the most of that second level talent.

Kyle Van Noy (LB, BYU) tape vs San Jose State

Mock Draft Wednesday’s: 19th December

A few different looks in this week’s updated mock. We’re still miles away from the draft so please, please, please don’t take this as anything other than a conversation starter. I do think, however, we are getting a better idea of the areas of need for the Seahawks.

Defensive tackle – An upgrade at the three technique is absolutely paramount. If they want to rush four most of the time in base – and they do – then they need some who can collapse the pocket from the inside. Alan Branch has qualities, but he doesn’t create any interior pressure. This mock perhaps shows how difficult it might be to solve this issue in round one. The top prospects (Richardson, Lotulelei) will be long gone. It could push the Seahawks towards free agency where the likes of Randy Starks are expected to hit the market. He could be a real game-changer for this defense.

Wide receiver/tight end – The Seahawks absolutely have to get more depth here. Imagine the situation where Sidney Rice or Golden Tate picked up an injury? The pre-season try-outs for Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens said a lot – there was a little desperation in the air, especially with Doug Baldwin’s injury in pre-season. This has to be an off-season priority and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a receiver. There’s nothing to stop the team picking up another tight end, especially one with experience lining up out wide and in the slot. A player like Zach Ertz – Stanford’s leading receiver this year – would also fit the bill (see video above). I suspect Pete Carroll would like to run even more 2TE sets, so it’s not such a ridiculous prospect if the value isn’t there at receiver.

Linebacker – The WILL position could still use an upgrade or at least further competition. Malcolm Smith has a chance to nail down the starting job if he keeps performing to a high standard. It appears we’re witnessing the final throws of Leroy Hill’s solid career in Seattle. Even if Smith doesn’t win the gig permanently, he’s always going to provide special teams value and good depth. A rangy player such as Alec Ogletree or Arthur Brown would make a lot of sense if available in round one. And while linebacker falls behind DT and WR/TE as a pure need, it could provide the best value at the end of round one.

Some of the changes this week include Barkevious Mingo dropping a bit (not had a great year), Cordarrelle Patterson moving into the top-15 (X-factor type with ideal size) and now that Kyle Long won’t be returning to Oregon, he makes the second round.

A quick note on Patterson by the way – and he’s a player to keep an eye on for the Seahawks. New Tennessee coach Butch Jones said today he “definitely” expects him to declare for the 2013 draft. Per Evan Woodbery, Jones is quoted as saying, “He’s a special player with a great skill set. I wish him well.”

First round

#1 Matt Barkley (QB, USC)
The Chiefs need a quarterback. They don’t have a terrible roster. And even if the value isn’t quite there, this solves their biggest problem.
#2 Bjoern Werner (DE, Florida State)
The Jaguars need a pass rusher and Werner could steadily move up the boards after a 13.5 sack season.
#3 Manti Te’o (LB, Notre Dame)
The Raiders need to start drafting good football players. This will be a long rebuild.
#4 Luke Joeckel (T, Texas A&M)
This is the starting point for whoever starts Philly’s new era. They have to repair the offensive line.
#5 Dion Jordan (DE, Oregon)
He’s a physical freak. He could blow up the combine. If he does… then hello to the top five.
#6 Jake Mathews (T, Texas A&M)
Although he’s playing at right tackle for the Aggies, he’s good enough to move across and play the blind side.
#7 Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M)
He’s having a great year and looks the part of a NFL rusher. He has 12.5 sacks in the SEC. That isn’t easy.
#8 Tyler Wilson (QB, Arkansas)
They need to draft a quarterback. And then they need to give that quarterback better receivers.
#9 Sheldon Richardson (DT, Missouri)
Sheldon Richardson is Darnell Dockett.
#10 Brandon Coleman (WR, Rutgers)
Stunning prospect. 6-6 receiver who out-runs defensive backs. Hands catcher.
#11 Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia)
All the messing around at quarterback cannot happen again next year. The madness has to stop.
#12 Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama)
Elite potential. Vastly underrated. The complete cornerback.
#13 Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee)
The Dolphins need playmakers for Ryan Tannehill. Patterson is the X-factor player of 2013.
#14 Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah)
Enormous ceiling but he just blows too hot and cold. Inconsistent.
#15 Chance Warmack (G, Alabama)
He’s good enough to go in the top ten. So is Jonathan Cooper.
#16 Alec Ogletree (LB, Georgia)
I want to find a way to get him in the top ten. Incredible potential.
#17 Matt Elam (S, Florida)
Elam’s a dynamic defensive back who will make plays at the next level.
#18 Jonathan Cooper (G, North Carolina)
Athletic guard who could even switch to tackle. He will start for 10+ years.
#19 Ezekiel Ansah (DE, BYU)
Another player who could really boost his stock with a great combine. A Giants type of pass rusher.
#20 Eric Fisher (T, Central Michigan)
He’s good enough to go earlier. Underrated, probably because he plays at a smaller school. He’s the next Joe Staley.
#21 Arthur Brown Jr (LB, Kansas State)
Don’t under-estimate this guy. He’s legit.
#22 DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson)
Minnesota needs more options at receiver. Hopkins could have an instant impact.
#23 Taylor Lewan (T, Michigan)
The next best tackle and the Rams need to fill this position long term.
#24 Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford)
The Seahawks need another pass-catcher. Ertz can line up at WR or TE, providing much needed depth to both positions.
#25 Jonathan Jenkins (DT, Georgia)
They’re building a 3-4 defense. That means they need a nose tackle.
#26 Jarvis Jones (DE, Georgia)
Baltimore are good enough to take a chance on Jones, whose spinal stenosis issue will put off some teams.
#27 Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama)
His best position could be the five technique in a 3-4 defense.
#28 Markus Wheaton (WR, Oregon State)
A smart team will draft this guy early. He’s the second coming of Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace.
#29 John Simon (DE, Ohio State)
Just a solid, blue-collar pass rusher.
#30 Sylvester Williams (DT, North Carolina)
Terrific pass-rushing defensive tackle who can line up at the one or three technique.
#31 Dallas Thomas (G, Tennessee)
He had an excellent 2012 season. Thomas can play guard or tackle.
#32 Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)
When you have a roster like Atlanta’s, why not go for another playmaker?

Second round

#33 Jacksonville – Robert Woods (WR, USC)
#34 Kansas City – Barkevious Mingo (DE, LSU)
#35 Philadelphia – Barrett Jones (C, Alabama)
#36 Detroit – Jonathan Banks (CB, Mississippi State)
#37 Cincinnati – Giovani Bernard (RB, North Carolina)
#38 Buffalo – C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
#39 Carolina – Shawn Williams (S, Georgia)
#40 Tennessee – Kyle Long (G, Oregon)
#41 Arizona – Justin Pugh (T, Syracuse)
#42 San Diego – Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee)
#43 Miami – Brennan Williams (T, North Carolina)
#44 New York Jets – Mike Glennon (QB, NC State)
#45 Tampa Bay – Tyler Eifert (TE, Notre Dame)
#46 St. Louis – Kenny Vaccaro (S, Texas)
#47 Pittsburgh – Stepfan Taylor (RB, Stanford)
#48 Chicago – D.J. Fluker (T, Alabama)
#49 New York Giants – Oday Aboushi (T, Virginia)
#50 Dallas – Jonathan Hankins (DT, Ohio State)
#51 Washington – Kevin Minter (LB, LSU)
#52 Minnesota – Bennie Logan (DT, LSU)
#53 Cincinnati – Alex Okafor (DE, Texas)
#54 Miami – Corey Lemonier (DE, Auburn)
#55 Seattle – Khaseem Greene (LB, Rutgers)
#56 Baltimore – Sharrif Floyd (DT, Florida)
#57 New England – Blidi Wreh-Wilson (CB, Connecticut)
#58 Green Bay – Montee Ball (RB, Wisconsin)
#59 San Francisco – Jordan Poyer (CB, Oregon State)
#60 Denver – Jonathan Franklin (RB, UCLA)
#61 Atlanta – Gavin Escobar (TE, San Diego State)
#62 Houston – Keenan Allen (WR, California)

C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama) vs Tennessee

We’ve spent a lot of time discussing Alec Ogletree and Arthur Brown so far, now it’s time to take a look at C.J. Mosley. He’s another playmaking linebacker who fits Seattle’s scheme. You’re talking about three solid options for the first two rounds of the draft. Throw in Khaseem Greene at Rutgers, and there’s plenty of depth if the Seahawks wants to upgrade at the WILL during the off-season.

Mosley isn’t a brilliant athlete like Ogletree or Brown, but he’s not far behind. He’s shown a knack for making plays (four sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown in 2012). He’s best sitting in the second level, reading the quarterbacks eyes and using instinct to make plays. That’s how the Seahawks want to use their linebackers. It’s worth noting he’s still a junior and like a lot of Alabama’s best defensive players, he might return for a senior year. Even so, he’s had injury issues in the past (missing a lot of time in 2011) and there’s nothing left to win in college. It’ll be interesting to see what he ultimately chooses to do. Bama could lose two key players if Mosley and complete cornerback Dee Milliner both turn pro.

Have a look at the tape above vs Tennessee and let us know what you think.

Monday notes: Arthur Brown, Hunter turns pro & more

Kansas State’s Arthur Brown still looks like a future Seahawk

Last week I wrote a piece about Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown and why he’s worth keeping an eye on for the 2013 draft. He seems almost ideal for Pete Carroll. There’s the history of recruitment at USC, the schematic desire to get the linebackers in space to make plays. Brown is almost the definition of what I think Carroll wants from the MIKE and the WILL.

That’s not to say he’ll definitely be taken by the Seahawks with an early pick. Leroy Hill started the Buffalo game but was swiftly replaced by Malcolm Smith who took most of the snaps at the WILL. If Smith wins the job permanently before the end of the season, he may win it for the long haul. Even so, the Seahawks are a good enough team these days to take the best player available in the first round of a draft. And who’s going to argue with Carroll and John Schneider, whoever they determine to be BPA?

The video above shows Brown’s 2012 tape against West Virginia. I think it shows off why he’s a good fit in Seattle. He’s rangy with excellent speed and the Seahawks want guys who can cover at the second level, react to the play call and gravitate to the football. He’s an opportunist and that’s really what this defense is about – capitalising on pressure to create turnovers. Of course, the Seahawks won’t really benefit from an opportunistic group of defensive backs and linebackers unless the front four can create more pressure. And that comes back to the teams absolute #1 need – an upgrade at the three technique. Did I mention I Randy Starks yet?

Have a look at the tape above and let me know what you think.

Turning pro… or not?

A few players made their intentions known today ahead of the January 15th deadline. Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter tweeted, “declared”. Using my excellent detective skills, I’ve determined that means he’ll be turning pro. That’s a significant move and could be a precursor to Tyler Bray and Cordarrelle Patterson also entering the draft. An argument can be made for all three returning and benefiting from another year with the Vols. However, with a new coaching staff taking over and a new blue print set to be installed, it won’t be a big shock if all three head for the NFL.

Bray has plenty of arm talent but is hugely erratic, inaccurate and has poor mechanics. There are also several character issues to address. Patterson is close to Hunter and that could have a big impact on his decision. ESPN’s Chris Low is reporting that he’s expected to declare. In my next mock draft on Wednesday, I’m going to put Patterson in the top-15.

UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr will return for another year with the Bruins in 2013. He’s a fullback-turned-pass rusher and had a terrific season with 13.5 sacks. Barr made the right call here – UCLA stands to make further strides next year and should contend for the Rose Bowl. If he can tally another 10-15 sack season he could easily be a high pick in the 2014 draft. Barr could use the extra time on the field, helping a winning team.

Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix also made the same decision to stay in college. Had he declared, he could’ve been a top-15 pick. Nix and Stephen Tuitt are the unsung heroes of the Irish defense, lost among a wave of publicity for Manti Te’o. Both will be high picks in 2014.

5th seed crucial for the Seahawks?

It seems improbable that the same San Francisco team that beat New England last night will now lose two games against the Seahawks and the Cardinals. The victory all but secured a second successive NFC West title for the 49ers. Good for them.

However, nobody should feel next weeks game is any less important for the Seahawks.

As things stand, Seattle owns the #5 seed. If the season ended today, the Seahawks would be travelling to face the Washington Redskins in the wildcard playoffs. The victor would probably play the Atlanta Falcons on the road in the second round. Assuming the NFC West crown is now out of reach, there’s no point wasting time dreaming of home playoff games and first round byes. The Seahawks are almost certainly going on the road if they make the post-season. And facing the NFC East champions and the Atlanta Falcons is not a death sentence.

If the Seahawks were to finish in the #6 slot instead, you’re looking at trips to San Francisco and Green Bay. That’ll be much more difficult to overcome.

I’m not trying to argue here that a combination of Dallas/Washington/New York and then Atlanta would be easy. Nothing is easy in the post-season. But one scenario appears more favourable than the other. It’s crucial that the Seahawks finish strongly even if the 49ers are destined to be the NFC West Champions again. Nobody will want to face an 11-5 wildcard in the playoffs. The next two weeks are a great opportunity for this team to prove they truly are Super Bowl contenders, even if they have to do it the hard way. They have to go for these next two games. Win both and they’re guaranteed the #5 seed.

The ultimate Russell Wilson video

After another record breaking performance by Russell Wilson yesterday, I think it’s only fair to remind ourselves what people were saying about the decision to draft him in April. Finally, Wilson is getting some rookie of the year love from the mainstream media, and it’s about time. He’s out-performing Andrew Luck (he really is) and Robert Griffin’s case is being weakened by injury.

Nobody’s perfect when it comes to projecting the draft… but here’s a gentle reminder that none of us should jump to conclusions too quickly – especially when it comes to teams we don’t cover exclusively. Check out the video below. There’s some irony that the supposed ‘worst pick’ of the third round in the 2012 NFL Draft could actually be one of the greatest third round picks in the history of the league.

Quote from B******r R*****t’s Matt Miller: “The Seahawks continue to fumble in the 2012 draft“.

Seahawks picks when the comment was made: Bruce Irvin (leads all rookies for sacks), Bobby Wagner (legit candidate for DROY), Russell Wilson (legit candidate for OROY).

*Disclaimer – this will be the only time in the 2012 NFL season I’ll be linking to anything from the B******r R****t website.

Instant reaction: Seahawks pummel Bills

Russell Wilson had four touchdowns against the Bills

The Seahawks hit 50 for the second week in a row and sent a message to the rest of the NFC. This team means business.

This was a crucial win. Pete Carroll needed his players to prove there wouldn’t be any hangover from a blowout win against Arizona. Some of the hand-wringing over the road-record is put to bed now that Seattle finishes 3-5. More importantly, it sets up two huge home games to close out the regular season.

Today was all about making sure next week’s game against San Francisco had real meaning. The national spotlight will be on the NFC West in week 16. People around the country will be waiting to see San Francisco @ Seattle. And the Seahawks needed to make sure they had everything to play for going into that game.

Job done.

Back to today’s game…

Russell Wilson continues to be a big-time playmaker, scoring four touchdowns today. He could’ve had more, missing on a couple of end-zone throws (particularly the one to Michael Robinson). The flea-flicker play to Golden Tate also had scoring potential, but was a little under-thrown forcing Tate to stop and wait for the ball. But hey, we’re nitpicking here. The guy is playing at a phenomenal level.

Chris Clemons had 2.5 sacks to reach double figures for the third straight year. People seem to have been planning for life after Clemons ever since he arrived in Seattle. The guy earned his new contract and remains one of the best pass rushers in the league. Put a legit pass-rushing three-technique next to this guy and he’ll be even more productive. He clearly has a few more years left in the tank.

How many times did you hear Mario Williams’ name called today? There were a couple of 1vs1 moments where Breno Giacomini held his own against one of the truly elite pass rushers in the league. He’s not flawless. He’s had penalties this year. Yet Breno has done a good job this year on the whole. On the other side, Russell Okung has developed into one of the best left tackle’s in the NFL. Certainly offensive tackle is not a priority for this team in the off-season.

The two young cornerbacks – Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell – both had good games. Whether they can keep it up against a better passing offense, I guess we’ll find out next week. It’s a shame that Walter Thurmond can’t get away from the injury bug. If he’s suffered a hamstring injury as some have speculated, don’t expect to see Thurmond in the final two weeks of the season.

There was a concerning issue that reared its ugly head again and it’s a pretty big one. The Seahawks’ defensive scheme can show some pretty soft coverage looks. The team focuses a lot on the four-man rush, allowing the linebackers to sit and make plays. Pete Carroll wants turnovers. The best way to create turnovers is to bring it with four. However, we saw again today that this defensive line just isn’t good enough to get the job done on early downs.

The end result is often an opposing quarterback working from a clean pocket, finding guys underneath and on crossing routes. At 31-7 the game was essentially over, yet the Bills were able to exploit the soft zone and a lack of pressure to score a quick 10 points. At half time, suddenly things were competitive again. Second half adjustments were made to show more eight-man fronts in an attempt to confuse Ryan Fitzpatrick. I noticed K.J. Wright blitzing on one call, something he’s not asked to do much. The changes worked, but the switch to different looks and blitzes takes away from what appears to be the long-term vision for the defense.

At the moment there’s just too much reliance on Clemons in the base defense. He’s the only guy who threatens, making it easy to key-in to him on early downs. Alan Branch doesn’t create penetration. Brandon Mebane isn’t fairing much better. And Red Bryant’s role doesn’t ask him to do much pass-rushing (before any questions that role, remember how integral it is to the 4-3 under to have a five-tech with size).

I keep coming back to the argument that says upgrading the three-technique position is the teams greatest need. The scheme puts the three and the LEO in 1vs1 match-ups. That’s the benefit of Bryant – his size ensures you don’t get gashed on the left side of the line for run calls. It’s why K.J. Wright’s role is so important at the SAM to help set the edge. Everything is set up for pressure on the right side.

And it isn’t happening.

Put a three-technique on the line who can collapse the pocket and suddenly this defense clicks in a base look. The left tackle becomes wary of inside pressure and won’t be able to set so easily against Clemons. It’ll help Brandon Mebane become more of a force because the center might have to help out the guard against a dangerous three-tech. This isn’t so much a need in Seattle, as integral for this defense to max-out its potential.

There are prospects in the 2013 draft class who can fill the role but they have a good shot to go in the top-15/20 picks (Sheldon Richardson, Star Lotulelei, Sylvester Williams). I’ve made this suggestion before, but 29-year-old Randy Starks is a free-agent in Miami. I’m not sure how easy it’ll be for the Dolphins to keep him next season and the franchise tag seems unlikely. If he hits the market, he would be ideal for the Seahawks. He’d maintain the quality of run-support Branch provides, but he’s also a much greater penetrative threat. For what it’s worth I’d look into keeping Branch too if the finances allow it. He’s never been a three-technique. He’s 335lbs. It’s not his fault he plays like a nose tackle at the three. Yet even if he’s replaced by a guy like Starks, he’d be a good rotational piece and would provide a key back-up for Bryant at the five.

If the Seahawks can address this need going into the draft next April, they can concentrate on other areas in the first and second round (such as much needed depth at receiver). Nevertheless, this is a debate to be continued at a later date. For now, bring on the 49ers. And if this team finished 11-5, nobody is going to want to meet the Seahawks in the playoffs.

Some thoughts on Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown

In my last mock draft, I had Arthur Brown (LB, Kansas State) going to the Seahawks. He’s a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who will clock a time in the 4.4’s or 4.5’s at the combine. And I think he’s ideal for the teams WILL position.

This isn’t taking anything away from Malcolm Smith, who might be on his way to winning the gig on a permanent basis. He’s looked very accomplished in two starts so far and he also has 4.4 speed and great familiarity with the system. He’s one of the few ex-USC guys to be drafted by Pete Carroll and clearly they believe he has a future on the team. His touchdown on special teams against Arizona was just reward for his efforts spelling the injured Leroy Hill.

However, unless he keeps the job for the rest of the year and continues to shine (Hill could return against Buffalo), I think we have to look at this position as an area where the team might spend an early draft pick next April.

I’m not afraid to admit I’m still learning what Carroll’s team is trying to do on both sides of the ball. I’ve looked closer than ever before this year, because I didn’t like how we handled the draft last season. We spent a lot of time trying to piece a pass rusher into the existing defense – and we were right to focus on that position as it turns out. However, we were looking at turning a DE or rush LB into a SAM and moving K.J. Wright inside. And that was clearly never the idea. In hindsight it makes perfect sense that they actually looked to replace Raheem Brock. We were maybe distracted by the specialist nature of that role, yet there was a stand-out ‘specialist’ available in the 2012 draft. If we’d worked this out last season, we might’ve been able to spend more time on Bruce Irvin after pumping his tires at the start of the year.

I need to highlight and learn from mistakes to make this a better blog. That was a big one.

I’ve watched the defense and attempted to understand the 4-3 under concepts a little better this year. It’s why I think upgrading the three technique is a big priority. It’s why I think they can get better at the WILL too. Alan Branch ticks two of the boxes required for his role at the three – he eats space, he can take on interior lineman and he plays well against the run. However, he doesn’t offer much penetration or pass rush. Until the Seahawks get pressure inside at that position, their base defense will struggle to have an impact when they only rush four. Which is most of the time.

Greater pressure from the three technique and therefore an improved overall pass rush ultimately means you can keep the linebackers in playmaking positions and you’ll get more out of the LEO concept. Red Bryant’s role in the team is still underrated. The Seahawks need size at the five technique to compensate for doubling up on the opposite side. A lot of the time Bryant has to take on two blockers (right guard/tackle). The fact the Seahawks aren’t dominated on the right side when the opposition runs the ball is credit to Bryant. In fact, teams try and avoid him. Brandon Mebane plays over the center. This puts you in a position to orchestrate 1v1 match-ups for the three and the LEO. It should be very hard to defend on that side, but you need that interior push to collapse the pocket. That’s when the speed off the edge will hurt an offense. Finding someone to collapse the pocket should be a priority for this team. If Miami’s Randy Starks reaches free agency and the price is affordable, he would be ideal for this role.

The Seahawks have upgraded two of the three linebacker positions to the scheme Carroll wants to run. K.J. Wright helps set the edge as the SAM, keeps contain and he can drop. Bobby Wagner is already showing just how adept he is to reading situations, flowing to the football and making plays. It’s no surprise that as the season’s progressed, he’s started to make more impact plays.

Carroll inherited Leroy Hill and he’s done a good job in the last three years. It’s easy to forget he was #2 for sacks last season – a testament to the lack of pass rush given he wasn’t asked to do a lot of rushing. He’s a good enough athlete to manage the WILL in this scheme but he’s not quite as explosive these days. There have been a few times when he’s located the ball and been first to make a key play. Ultimately though, it’s an area where the Seahawks can get faster with greater impact.

This is where Brown comes into play.

The video above shows a game from 2011 when Kansas State beat Robert Griffin III’s Baylor in the Big-12. By now you’re aware of RGIII elusive nature and his athleticism. I’d recommend watching the video to see how Brown matches up.

Kansas State’s defense has some similarities to Seattle’s. They have a lot of 4-3 under looks with a front four, a SAM at the LOS and two inside linebackers. Brown is the heart of the defense and appears to make a lot of calls. Bobby Wagner has nailed the MIKE position with his play this year, but it wouldn’t be much of an ask to switch Brown to the WILL. He’s got the speed. He’s got the field IQ. And he reacts quickly to swarm to the ball carrier.

Seattle’s defense isn’t asking the MIKE or WILL to rush the passer. They aren’t asking much of the SAM in that sense either. They want to create pressure with four rushers more often than not. My theory is it’s part of Pete Carroll’s determination to create turnovers. Whenever you can press with just four lineman, you’re going to have success. You’ve got more guys in coverage and your linebackers can read the situation, whether it’s reaching for a tipped pass, undercutting a route, reading a quarterback’s eyes or blowing up a run.

As much as I like Alec Ogletree’s athleticism and upside, Brown may be an equally good fit for this scheme. As a pure roamer, he’s top-notch. He’s busier, reading a play every second of the way and using instinct. He cuts through traffic well, avoiding blocks and closing quickly. For a guy who’s only 6-0 and around 225-230lbs, he takes on blockers well against the run. And like Ogletree, he’s got that sheer speed to run from sideline-to-sideline to make a play.

The Seahawks have had issues in some games defending third down. Brown can sniff out underneath routes by tracking running backs, but he’s also very good at floating at the second level and then reacting. Seattle has taken Leroy Hill off the field on a lot of third downs to play nickel, but with Brown on the roster I’d be tempted to keep him in either in a base look or instead of K.J. Wright. He’d be that much of an asset.

He does have some issues. At his size he’ll get engulfed sometimes against bigger lineman. You have to expect that. But then the Seahawks aren’t asking their linebackers to get too involved at the LOS. Can he cover a big tight end? We’ll see about that. He can get overly aggressive and make slight errors (missed tackles, overshooting his angle). There are times when – like a lot of college defenders these days – he goes for the glancing blow rather than the wrap-up tackle. Apart from that, I don’t see much to complain about.

In fact the biggest concern I have has nothing to do with on-the-field tape. It’s his shy nature. His back-story is fairly interesting. He started his college career at Miami as a big-time recruit. All the top schools wanted him, including Pete Carroll, Ken Norton Jr and USC. Carroll apparently told a representative of the Brown family that he was the best linebacker “he’d seen in seven years.” Brown chose the ‘Canes, seemingly due to their reputation as Linebacker-U. It never worked out, he struggled on the field and was on the brink of being labelled a bust.

Yet most of all, it seems being away from his family was the hardest obstacle to manoeuvre. They’re a close unit. His parents lost their first child before the age of 2. Brown and his brother Bryce (now a starting running back in Philadelphia) were seen as ‘miracles’. So much so, the elder brother was named after his father. Arthur Brown Junior. That’s his full name. Yet it took until his senior year to raise the possibility of having ‘Jr’ added to his jersey at Kansas State.

Kellis Robinett quotes Brown discussing the matter…

That made me so happy,” Brown said. “I have always wanted to play with my full name on my jersey. It’s a great way to honor my father and my whole family. But, for whatever reason, I never asked. I was afraid they would say no. I guess I just feel at home here. It turned out to be a really simple thing.”

A family man. But unusually lacking in confidence for such a talented athlete.

Kevin Haskin suggests it also played a part in why he never settled in Miami…

The desire to be closer to home certainly factored into Brown’s transfer to K-State.

“Coming out of high school I really didn’t know the value of family and staying connected to your life support,’’ Brown said. “Just those two years away helped me develop an appreciation for my family.’’

Nobody will mark this down as a major negative in terms of his character. However, I am a little concerned that being so far away from his family could be an issue. Seattle is a long way away. Both he and brother Bryce transferred from colleges (Miami/Tennessee) to move ‘back home’ and join Kansas State. Being able to adapt, remain focused and perform to the best of your abilities is crucial. Will Brown get homesick? It’s not something we can get enough information on to call a negative. But it is something I’d be looking into as a member of a personal department.

Pete Carroll will already know a lot about this guy, an edge he’s been able to exploit with a few players coming into the league already. And he may already know just how much of an issue this is (or isn’t). But I wanted to note it nonetheless. Having played at Kansas State, there aren’t many places further away than Seattle.

Assuming this isn’t a problem, Brown could be a tremendous addition to this defense. Some teams will be put off by his size. Not a lot of other blogs or pundits are talking about him as a first or even a second round pick. Yet we know Pete Carroll doesn’t care much for what other people think. He liked this guy coming into the college ranks. He might be checking him out again in the off-season and he could be on this teams radar.

What would the Seahawks look for in a WR/TE?

Brandon Coleman would give the 2013 draft class some star power

Yesterday I wrote a piece about Cordarrelle Patterson and why he’s such an enigma. It got me wondering – what would the Seahawks look for in a receiver? There are so many different types of wide-out eligible for the 2013 draft, so what could they look for?

Adding to the mystery is the variety with which Seattle has chosen wide-outs during the Carroll/Schneider era. They looked at big pass-catchers (Brandon Marshall, Vincent Jackson) while utilising Mike Williams (6-5) as a primary receiver in 2010. He was essentially replaced by Sidney Rice (6-4). On the other hand, they spent a second round pick on Golden Tate (5-10) and he’s since developed into an integral part of the offense. Doug Baldwin (5-10) has also featured heavily as a third-down target, while others such as Charly Martin (6-1), Jermaine Kears (6-2), Braylon Edwards (6-3), Terrell Owens (6-3) and Ben Obomanu (6-1) have seen time on the field.

They’ve also spent big on the tight end position, investing millions in Zach Miller while also bringing along USC-grown Anthony McCoy. Kellen Winslow essentially had a ‘trial’ during pre-season and Evan Moore has taken some snaps after replacing Winslow on the roster. Seattle likes to use 2TE sets and we could see more of that implemented into the offense going forward.

There’s a variety of shapes and sizes there, making it hard to pin-down what the Seahawks might look for if they want to draft another target for Russell Wilson. Clearly, to me at least, they need to add some depth. Why else were they playing around with T.O.? Why else were they looking at Winslow and keeping Braylon Edwards on the roster until this week? There’s room for at least one more legit target and it was one of the few need areas the front office were unable to solve during the 2012 off-season.

Fortunately, the 2013 class looks rich in depth if not elite talent. There’s no A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but there’s a lot of talent to be had in the late first or second round. Working out who might interest the Seahawks is the hard part, especially since this is a front office that likes to keep you guessing.

Let’s go through some of the options…

Brandon Coleman (WR, Rutgers)

Size: 6-6, 225lbs

Speed: Capable of running away from defenders. Certainly above average for his size

Notes: Coleman has Megatron-type potential and if he declares for the 2013 draft, he has as much chance as anyone to crack the top-ten. He could be a superstar at receiver.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson)

Size: 6-1, 200lbs

Speed: Not elite by any means and he won’t run away from defensive backs on a deep route. Still quicker than fast and very sharp getting into his breaks.

Notes: Hopkins isn’t a physically dominating player, but he’s one of the smoothest receivers you’ll ever meet. He runs routes effortlessly, understands the Clemson offense and is Mr. Consistent. Fantastic production in 2012.

Markus Wheaton (WR, Oregon State)

Size: 5-11, 185lbs

Speed: He beat DeAnthony Thomas in a 100m race this year. Wheaton’s speed is one of his greatest assets.

Notes: Despite lacking size he’s very competitive and willing to get involved as a blocker. He’s a consistent playmaker and a big YAC threat. Compares very well to Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace.

Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee)

Size: 6-3, 205lbs

Speed: He could run a 4.3 at the combine.

Notes: X-factor player who scores cheap points. He’ll be an instant threat as a kick returner. He’s also inconsistent and undercooked. Still, only Brandon Coleman has more upside.

Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford)

Size: 6-6, 252lbs

Speed: As you’d expect for a tight end.

Notes: I’ve seen some people suggest he’s not a great run blocker, something I can’t agree with. Ertz is the total package at tight end and can stay on the field for any play call.

Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)

Size: 5-8, 173lbs

Speed: Maybe even quicker than Markus Wheaton. He shifts through the gears with ease.

Notes: Size will concern some people, but Austin’s speed will intrigue others. He’ll need a package of plays and he goes beyond conventional thinking – but he’s fun to watch and scores touchdowns.

Robert Woods (WR, USC)

Size: 6-1, 190lbs

Speed: He doesn’t have explosive speed, but he has other qualities that make up for it.

Notes: Woods has improved his consistency this year, he’s competitive and chirpy and can make big plays with the ball in his hands. He’s underrated due to a lack of size.

Keenan Allen (WR, California)

Size: 6-3, 206lbs

Speed: He ran in the 4.5’s and 4.6’s at high school and has since added 20lbs. This could be an issue.

Notes: Allen lacks balance and control, he’s also not a quick receiver. On the plus side, he has decent size and plays with real intensity.

Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee)

Size: 6-4, 205lbs

Speed: It’s good enough.

Notes: He has a playing style and frame similar to A.J. Green. But yeah, he isn’t A.J. Green.

Tyler Eifert (TE, Notre Dame)

Size: 6-6, 251lbs

Speed: What you’d expect from a tight end.

Notes: He’s not a great blocker. He’ll go in the same kind of range as John Carlson and Kyle Rudolph.

This is just a sample, you could throw other names into the mix too. I’m not crazy about Terrance Williams at Baylor as an early pick which is why I left him out.

From the group, I think you can make a case for all. The Seahawks have looked for size at receiver and seem to like players who can win jump balls. When they drafted Golden Tate they cited his ability to compete for the ball in the air despite his size, and we’ve seen evidence of that this season.

At the same time, this is a quick-hitting passing offense that likes to take shots on play action. Getting separation downfield will help those big plays come off more often. Tate and Sidney Rice are no slouches, but there’s no true burner on the team and that’s maybe something they’ll look for regardless of size.

I also think they’d like to run a lot more 2TE sets similar to what we see at Stanford in the PAC-12. Anthony McCoy keeps showing flashes of quality that make you want to believe he can step up and become more of a consistent feature. But the fact is, the Seahawks are still using Zach Miller mostly for blocking and they’re not getting a great deal of production from the #2. A guy like Zach Ertz – who blocks as well as Miller and is a similar threat as a receiver – could help that situation and open up the offense. If you can use a formation that makes it look like you’ll run more often then not, the play action game will really threaten.

I’ll give you my take.

I like Markus Wheaton, DeAndre Hopkins and Robert Woods. A lot. And I think they’d find a way to be productive for this offense. I also think there’s a chance this team would entertain any of the three. Wheaton has the speed, Hopkins the polish and Woods the connection with Pete Carroll. However, I think three players stand out more than any others here.

Brandon Coleman could be a star in this league. He has the size and reach to win jump balls and he’s destined to be a real threat in the red zone. How do you over throw a 6-6 receiver with his wingspan? He’s an exceptionally big target with surprising speed. Look for any highlights of this guy and you’ll see him running away from defensive backs. Click here to see his 85-yard touchdown run against Louisville. He’s a 4.5 runner at 6-6 with YAC potential and I think he can run deep routes. If he declares – and he’s not indicated either way what his intentions are – then I suspect he’ll be rated very highly. A lack of pure production at Rutgers could push him into Seattle’s path. Stranger things have happened. Demaryius Thomas would’ve been a much earlier pick had he not played in the triple-option at Georgia Tech.

Zach Ertz would really open up Seattle’s offense. You could book-end Ertz with Zach Miller, play two receivers and give a run-look on most downs. It’ll give linebackers nightmares wondering whether they need to plug gaps against Mashawn Lynch or get into coverage to monitor two productive tight ends. This would probably keep things honest for Russell Wilson while also buying him time in the pocket. And he’d also have two reliable check-down options on third down – something that was an issue when Doug Baldwin was injured. The Seahawks showed a lot of interest on Coby Fleener’s pro-day last off-season. For me, Ertz is a superior player.

Cordarrelle Patterson is a pure difference maker. There aren’t many guys at 6-3/6-4 with his run-away speed and playmaking quality. He can score cheap points, change momentum and keep defenses guessing. Sure, he’s raw and needs to iron out a few kinks. He also has explosive ability to make big plays. And as we’ve seen this year more than any other, the Seahawks want quick strikes in their passing game. They seem to want to get defenses committing to the run only to beat them down field on play action. They want guys who can work within a trick play or package to get things rolling. Patterson might be one or two years away from being a consistent player you can rely on, but any time he’s on the field – even in year one – he’s a threat to score. And the Seahawks are a good enough team these days to consider a luxury like that. They’ve also shown they aren’t afraid to draft former JUCO prospects in round one (James Carpenter, Bruce Irvin).

This isn’t me committing to these three or saying the others are unlikely. I could sit here and make a case for drafting any of these guys. And as I mentioned, I have first round grades on Wheaton, Hopkins and Woods. I’m not totally convinced the Seahawks will target receivers in the first round, given John Schneider’s Green Bay background where they consistently hit on players taken in the second round. Yet I’m also not convinced they’ll avoid the position ‘just because’. It’s a need. And if value meets need in round one, there’s every chance they’ll make a move here.

I’ve included a video below for anyone wanting to learn more about Brandon Coleman. I wrote a piece about his potential a few weeks ago (click here) but the video has some background on his high-school recruitment and character.

Cordarrelle Patterson still intriguing, exciting and concerning

Cordarrelle Patterson is a real head scratcher. Let’s start with the positives…

Elite size (6-3) and speed (could run a 4.3). Patterson looks the part of a true difference maker. In his first and likely only year at Tennessee, he set the SEC single-season record for combined kick=off and punt return yards at 27.6 per-attempt. His kick-off return average of 28 yards per-attempt ranks second all-time in the SEC for a single-season. He set a new school record for all-purpose yards in a season with 1,858. His 154.8 all-purpose yards per game led the SEC and ranked in the top-20 in the nation.

Patterson scored ten total touchdowns in 2012. Five as a receiver, three as a runner and one each on punt and kick off returns. He also completed a 28-yard pass.

Not even Tavon Austin can match up to this guy as a pure X-Factor player. Put the ball in his hands and he has a chance to score. He runs reverses, he takes snaps in the backfield, he can run deep routes, he gets separation, he has a great wingspan. There aren’t any Cordarrelle Patterson’s in the NFL right now. He is unique.

Add all of this together and you start to think he’ll be a top-15 pick. Then we come onto the negatives…

He has a lot of great plays in the highlights video at the top of this piece. What the video doesn’t include are the careless plays he had this year… Such as the sure-fire touchdown he had against Georgia, dropped to the ground in a moment of madness. Perfectly thrown pass by Tyler Bray. Five yards of separation on a downfield route. Only green grass and a nice big end zone in front. Ball dropped by Patterson, points squandered.

Then there’s the pick-six against Akron, where he simply didn’t show any enthusiasm breaking into his route and allowed the defensive back to get leverage and break on the football. He gave up and lost out. The quarterback takes the statistical hit, but the responsibility was on the receiver.

Patterson started the year in good form acting as a receiver. In the first three games he totalled 239 yards and two touchdowns against NC State, Georgia State and Florida. Eventually defensive coordinators watched the tape and decided to get physical. Against bigger, more aggressive corners he struggled. In the next five games he failed to top 31 yards, averaging two catches a game and only one touchdown. It took a 219-yard performance against a woeful Troy defense to break this slump and he went on to end the season strongly.

There were games where he just looked disinterested and disjointed, like he was waiting for a chance rather than creating one. So while he looked great when asked to return a kick-off or feature in the backfield, these were manufactured carries. Was it too much to ask to see this big, 6-3 receiver with elite speed actually make things happen?

The final concern comes with his personality. It’s hard to measure these things based purely on interviews, but Patterson isn’t a great talker. Watch Markus Wheaton and DeAndre Hopkins speak and you’ll find players willing to talk routes and praise their team-mates. Patterson doesn’t really show any of that. He’s incredibly raw, nervous and comes across a little immature. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be the next great diva of the wide-receiver fraternity. It might mean he finds it difficult to grasp a pro-offense quickly and avoid mental mistakes in key games. It could mean the attention and financial reward that comes with the NFL will be a major culture shock.

This is the classic ‘sods law’ problem with Patterson. He has everything needed to be a sensational pro-talent who breaks records and enjoys a fine career. He also has everything required to become an epic bust. Teams will have to judge whether they trust explosive physical skills and massive upside to overcome some of the negatives. Can you put him next to a team leader – such as a driven quarterback who works harder than anyone else on the team (eg – Russell Wilson) – and expect to see a maturation? And are you prepared to be patient and live with the occasional glaring error for the sake of longer term success?

I don’t want to overplay the maturity issues too much. After all, this is a guy with only a years experience in college football as a JUCO transfer. He was essentially a freshman this year. He also doesn’t have any major character red flags or run-ins with the law. You could argue he just needs time to develop into a professional adult.

If a head coach is given Patterson to work with as a prospective first or second round pick, he’d have to take baby steps. Let him return kicks so you feel some immediate impact. Create a handful of designed packages to get the ball in his hands. Don’t ask him to run too many complex routes in year one and make sure he’s studying that playbook and working overtime with the quarterback whenever possible.

Manage this guy properly and you could end up with a superstar. He’s big, fast, elusive and scores cheap points. Harness that into a more consistent and rounded football player and you’ll look pretty smart drafting him early. Try and give him too much to do too soon and he’ll become a luxury. Cordarrelle Patterson is an exciting prospect. He’ll have a higher ceiling and a lower floor than probably any other offensive player eligible for 2013. The question is – are you prepared to take the risk?

In terms of his skill-set he could be an option for the Seahawks. The offense is based around the run, but utilises quick strikes in the passing game. Patterson’s height, speed and ability to score cheap points would be an ideal fit. Pete Carroll has shown his willingness to draft ex-JUCO players in round one (James Carpenter, Bruce Irvin). Yet as much as his physical qualities tick all the right boxes, the character makes me want to take a step back. Carroll wants driven, passionate players who almost play with a chip on their shoulder. Does Patterson want to be great? Or will he settle for whatever situation presents itself in the NFL? That could be the determining factor here. And I’m not totally convinced Patterson desperately wants to me the leagues next great receiver. I hope I’m wrong, because he could be very, very good.

Seahawks prepared for a ‘depth’ draft?

Tennessee's Dallas Thomas could provide depth at tackle or guard

Whatever happens during the rest of this season, the Seahawks have a lot of key positions tied up. Quarterback, running back, left tackle and cornerback – four of the most important positions where the Seahawks have some of the best young talent in the NFL.

There’s also enough depth across the board so that when injuries have occurred this year, the team hasn’t really missed a beat. Sure, there are positions where upgrades are desirable. There aren’t many glaring needs though. When it’s time to start concentrating on the draft, there’s every chance the Seahawks will be able to say they’re going for the ‘best player available’ – and actually mean it.

And the best player available could be a ‘depth’ pick.

The good teams make draft for depth all the time. Pittsburgh has regularly topped up their defense over the years with players who don’t necessarily start straight away. The Ravens likewise always seem to be hunting for value, rather than chasing needs. The New York Giants are another team that for a few years now have been accumulating solid depth.

Sure, you want to get instant production from those early picks. Sometimes it’s not always possible. The good teams always stay one step ahead of the curve.

So what are some of the positions where the Seahawks could be thinking longer term?

The Seahawks don’t have a lot of depth at wide receiver and an injury to Sidney Rice or Golden Tate would hit the team hard. I suspect most fans would rather avoid the position in round one due to the stigma attached to receivers drafted early. However, if the front office wants to make life as easy as possible for Russell Wilson, they’ll need to make sure he has enough legitimate targets to throw to. And if the value is strong at the end of round one – it should be considered a very realistic option. Even if the player in question acts more as a depth/complimentary pick in his first year or two in the league.

Possible depth options: Markus Wheaton (WR, Oregon State), DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson), Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford), Robert Woods (WR, USC)

The old argument says you can never have enough good cornerbacks. That could be increasingly true for Seattle if Richard Sherman loses his PED appeal and has to miss four games at the start of next season. Brandon Browner won’t be an unrestricted free agent until 2015, but he will be 29 next August. Walter Thurmond has shown real promise during his pro-career, but he’s also shown an inability to stay healthy. If there’s real value to be found at cornerback in round one, it’s another area the Seahawks might consider next April. It’s also worth noting just how well Pete Carroll and John Schneider have done finding low-cost talent at corner. So far they haven’t needed to spend an early pick and they might feel confident enough to keep looking for those late-round gems.

Possible depth options: Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama), Jonathan Banks (CB, Mississippi State), Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State), Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida State)

Seattle’s offensive line gets a raw deal from a lot of fans, yet Football Outsiders ranks the line 3rd overall for run blocking and 16th overall for pass protection. The Seahawks have given up 24 sacks – and only six teams have fewer this season. Breno Giacomini has become a bit of a scapegoat due to an unacceptable number of penalties, but he’s also done a better job than most people give him credit for. Right tackle has become a thankless task in the NFL and it’s not a position easily filled. Even so, I wouldn’t completely rule out further investment in the offensive line. It might have to be a pretty special player who falls to make it happen, but good teams understand value and don’t look a gift-horse in the mouth.

Possible depth options: Eric Fisher (T, Central Michigan), Taylor Lewan (T, Michigan), Dallas Thomas (G/T, Tennessee), D.J. Fluker (G/T, Alabama)

I’ve listed three examples, I’m sure you could add more. The Seahawks have improved so much in the last three years – perhaps more so than any other team in the league. And they’ll find themselves in a position next April without any desperate needs. I believe upgrading at the three-technique is the greatest overall need. Yet I wouldn’t say an aggressive move is required to fill that hole, particularly if there’s better talent on the board in other areas. It’s an enviable position to be in – one enjoyed by the ‘usual suspects’ picking in the 20’s or 30’s virtually every year. And with Carroll and Schneider’s track record in the draft so far, that could put the Seahawks in an incredibly strong position.

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Seahawks Draft Blog

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑