Month: April 2015 (Page 1 of 3)

Dorial Green-Beckham remains on the board after round one

Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri)
As expected he didn’t go in the first round. How far will he fall? Some teams won’t even consider drafting him in the top-50. He won’t last until pick #63 but if he gets beyond #50 — watch out for the Seahawks trading up. It’s hard to place a team before the 49ers who would consider taking him. Can Seattle work out a deal with Minnesota picking just ahead of San Francisco? Will someone else move up to take him? He looks like the best remaining option for the Seahawks — but can they get into range?

Eli Harold (DE, Virginia)
Another player the Seahawks would probably have to go up and get. He’s not a 1.50 split rusher like Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin but he’s pissed off to be great and explodes off the snap. He’s a little boom or bust at times but he’d fit right into Seattle’s scheme, rotation and identity. Intense in a good way. Compares himself to Bruce Irvin.

Jake Fisher (T, Oregon)
Unlikely to fall much further with teams at the top of round two hunting for offensive line help. He would provide athleticism and left tackle potential, even if his best fit immediately is at guard.

Grady Jarrett (DT, Clemson)
Tenacious interior pass rusher who can get into the backfield but also plays stout against the run. More of a Jordan Hill type than a Brandon Mebane. Some people have him in the early second round, others in rounds 3-4.

Preston Smith (DE, Mississippi State)
Michael Bennett style rusher but a little inconsistent at times. Flashes a disruptive edge and has the potential to cause havoc. Then he’ll go quiet for a half. He has an enticing combination of size and athleticism — but do they need another Bennett? Will be an option for 3-4 teams looking for an athletic D-end as well as teams trying to find a power DE for the 4-3.

Mario Edwards Jr (DE, Florida State)
Three-technique convert if he lands with the Seahawks. He had an official visit to Seattle which is intriguing. Tape is pretty poor but if he can stay in the 280’s and find a role inside there’s something to work with. Certainly one to watch anyway.

Eric Rowe (CB, Utah)
There are still teams with a need at cornerback and you’d expect Rowe to be next on the hit-list. Jalen Collins is a better player with greater upside but Rowe has none of the character red flags. He also has experience at safety.

Devin Smith (WR, Ohio State)
Chunk play specialist and a key special teams gunner. Can make the big play downfield but does suffer the occasional concentration lapse over the middle. Plays above his size, has a little OBJ to his catching style. Lacks OBJ’s massive hands and superstar ability, mind.

T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh)
He could be the first pick in the second round. The only thing that’ll force a fall is a lack of polish and experience on offense. In terms of upside the sky’s the limit and he’s unlikely to make it anywhere near Seattle’s pick.

Mitch Morse (C, Missouri)
Almost identical size to Max Unger and performed admirably at left tackle for Mizzou. High character, tenacious and born to block in the NFL. No slouch in terms of athleticism. A gradual riser during the draft process and probably won’t be available when Seattle is on the clock in round three.

Jalen Collins (CB, LSU)
Again it comes down to how far he drops. He’s a brilliant prospect with bags of potential. Without the character concerns he’s a sure-fire top-20 pick. Long, fast, competes for the ball and a brawler. He’d be a perfect fit for the LOB in terms of playing style. In the late second round his value might be too good to pass up.

Donovan Smith (T, Penn State)
Not too dissimilar to James Carpenter. People will groan at that — but Seattle seems to have a ‘style’ at left guard. They like tackle converts with massive size and length. Smith looks like a guard on tape but they might be tempted by his experience on the blind side. Russell Okung is out of contract next year.

Ty Sambrailo (T, Colorado State)
Like Smith he’s a tackle convert with size and plus athleticism. His personality is similar to John Moffitt’s. He visited with the Seahawks and worked out at center, so he has some flexibility. Just a solid player with a lot of upside who would likely start at left guard.

Ali Marpet (C, Hobart)
The Seahawks worked him out this week. Why so late in the process? He’s worth a look considering the tape doesn’t give much away. How does he compare to some of the other prospects in this class — or Lemuel Jeanpierre and Patrick Lewis? Can he develop from small school standout to established pro?

Jordan Phillips (DT, Oklahoma)
Massive size and great mobility combine to create a tantalising prospect. He has hit and miss tape but the potential is there. He can do back-flips at 329lbs, runs in the 5.1’s and has nearly 35-inch arms. He’s not the finished article but he could be very special.

I could add others. I’m not convinced the Seahawks will look hard at Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State) and what’s happening with La’el Collins (T, LSU)? They are two names I’m sure people will ask about.

Any of the mid-to-late round options we talked about could also be in play. Teams started reaching to take guys they like at the bottom of round one. The Seahawks, if they stay at #63, are more than likely to do the same. That could mean anything — a random defensive pick, a receiver like Tre McBride, one of the athletic or big offensive linemen we’ve discussed. Don’t be surprised by anything. If they stay at #63, you almost expect an obscure pick.

However, the options above provide a real opportunity to move up. The first name to watch is Dorial Green-Beckham. He isn’t the only player Seattle will consider moving up for though — they could be interested in several defensive prospects and offensive linemen too.

Join us from 4:30pm PST for live coverage of the NFL Draft’s first round. Turn the volume off ESPN and the NFL Network and get your analysis with a Seahawks slant.

We’ll be back tomorrow to cover the second and third round.

Is Bruce Irvin trying to force a move to Atlanta?

Last month reports emerged suggesting Michael Bennett wanted a trade to Atlanta. Last night it was the turn of Bruce Irvin.

Mike Florio says “chatter” among league sources pointed to a deal being possible to send Irvin to the Falcons. Danny O’Neil initially backed up the report, then somewhat dismissed it.

So what’s going on?

I understand the Bennett/Falcons stuff had some legitimacy. Ditto the new Irvin reports. I suspect the Falcons want to bring in a veteran, proven pass rusher — freeing up the opportunity to go offensive line in the top ten. Atlanta’s offensive line has been poor for a while. The addition of Jake Matthews did little to improve the situation last year.

Several reports are suggesting the Washington Redskins are preparing to draft Dante Fowler Jr — rather than trade down with a team like Atlanta hoping to take him. The Falcons could turn their attentions to Brandon Scherff at #8 or even Andrus Peat.

Another factor at play — there isn’t a natural LEO in this draft. Nobody who runs a 1.50 10-yard split like Cliff Avril or Bruce Irvin. Nobody with that electric speed and length. Nobody who is an ideal fit for the role.

In my last mock draft I had the Falcons taking Bud Dupree. Not as a LEO — as a flexible linebacker similar to Irvin.

Instead they might be using their second round pick (or later picks) to bring in a veteran rusher. That brings Scherff and Peat into play.

If a deal is going to happen, the Falcons would have to take an O-liner with their first round pick tonight. If this happens, it could make for an interesting Thursday night/Friday morning.

Irvin is 28 this year and if the Seahawks choose not to take up the fifth year option on his contract, he’ll be a free agent in 2016. They drafted Kevin Pierre-Louis a year ago and he could move into a starting role. It could also allow them to target another edge rusher in the early second round (Eli Harold? Shane Ray? Preston Smith?) or Dorial Green-Beckham.

However, such a deal still seems pretty unlikely. It’s also unclear whether the Falcons would even be willing to give up an early second rounder. There are two players in Seattle — Bennett and Irvin — both wanting more money, both sensing an opportunity with Dan Quinn in Atlanta.

I suspect both players will be lining up for the Seahawks next season. But you never know…

Could Todd Gurley be a surprise top-five pick?

Last year the Jacksonville Jaguars caused a stir by drafting Blake Bortles with the #3 pick over Sammy Watkins and Khalil Mack.

Now it’s presumed they’ll take Amari Cooper, Dante Fowler Jr or Leonard Williams.

They could take Cooper to aid Bortles’ development. They did, however, draft two receivers in the second round last year and bring in Julius Thomas in free agency.

They could take Fowler Jr. to work the edge. They also had the sixth best pass rush in terms of sacks in 2014.

They could take Williams — but didn’t they already fill that role with Jared Odrick?

All three players could be in play. They appear to be a consensus ‘top three’ on most boards anyway. But if the Jaguars do provide a shock (again) — could it be Todd Gurley?

Ideally they’d trade down a few spots first but if they can’t, maybe they just take him? He’d provide a dynamic backfield option to take some of the pressure off Bortles. Gus Bradley knows full well how a tone-setting franchise back can benefit a team.

It’d be a shocking pick. Yet why else did talk of a possible trade involving Muhammad Wilkerson emerge this week? Possibly because the board could fall like this:

#1 Tampa Bay — Jameis Winston
#2 Tennessee (or trade) — Marcus Mariota
#3 Jacksonville — Todd Gurley
#4 Oakland — Amari Cooper
#5 Washington — Dante Fowler Jr.
#6 New York — Leonard Williams

Without the ACL injury Gurley would’ve been talked about as a sure-fire top-ten pick. With positive news about his knee emerging recently, he could still go in that range. It’ll be a surprise if it happens. It probably shouldn’t be.

Don’t forget to join us for our live Google Hang Out this evening throughout the first round.

Is Devin Funchess a possible alternative to Dorial Green-Beckham?

Trade up for a receiver? Stay put? Draft the best offensive lineman on your board?

Our conversations over the last few weeks have been dominated by these questions. This weekend, two different seven-round mocks highlight the possibility that Seattle’s front office will be having the same debate.

Evan Silva and Josh Norris have put together a list of needs and a seven round Seahawks projection.

Silva: “Seattle’s offensive line could afford upgrades, beginning with center and left guard…. The Seahawks have one of the NFL’s weakest receiver corps.”

Norris’ mock has them taking Devin Funchess at #63: “The Super Bowl and acquiring Jimmy Graham makes it seem like Seattle is putting an emphasis on contested catches.”

Funchess is an interesting case. It’s logical to expect the Seahawks will target size. They already have one of the better slot receivers in Doug Baldwin. They’re likely to add a smaller receiver who can return kicks on day three (more on that later). Outside of one-game wonder Chris Matthews there’s a distinct lack of size on the perimeter.

They went away from this last year, seemingly believing speed and the intermediate game would mesh nicely with their power-run attack. Let’s call it the ‘Percy Harvin blueprint’. When Harvin departed the Seahawks lacked the punch to make it work. Having already lost their best contested-catch maker in Golden Tate, they didn’t really have a red-line winner who could make the tough grab.

The reported interest in Vincent Jackson before the trade deadline suggested a change in philosophy. In fairness to the Seahawks, nobody can argue they’re stuck in their ways. They’re willing to evolve.

This probably doesn’t stop with Jimmy Graham. It’s not about one player, in particular a player who’s going to work the middle exploiting match-ups against linebackers. They need that taller outside threat — and they’re unlikely to thrust all their hopes solely on Matthews based on the Super Bowl.

There’s a reason Tony Pauline is reporting interest in Dorial Green-Beckham and a reason why we’ve spent so much talking about him as a possible trade target. Seattle’s offense will always be run-first — but that puts more pressure on the passing game when you do throw the ball. With Baldwin in the slot, Graham working the seam and a dynamic big target outside — the Seahawks can finally field an offense as potent as the league-leading defense.

If they can’t get into range for DGB — the closest alternative is Funchess. He’s slower, less sudden and has nothing like Green-Beckham’s upside. There are question marks about his drive at Michigan. He certainly underwhelmed. But he is a big target who can make plays downfield, box-out defenders and win contested catches.

He wasn’t always reliable at Michigan. It kind of makes this performance against Ohio State all the more frustrating:

He’s making tough grabs, he’s finding ways to get open. He has a chunk play downfield. He looks good.

We just didn’t see enough of this in college.

He’s definitely a build-up speed runner but he can eat up space with long strides. He has one of the best head-fakes you’ll see, setting up a corner to the inside before a nifty little double move to create separation.

If the Seahawks just want a big target they can work with, Funchess could be a consolation prize if DGB ends up elsewhere. He isn’t too dissimilar to Mike Williams. That might put you off — but clearly Carroll has time for that kind of receiver.

Funchess didn’t have a great combine, running a 4.70 at 232lbs. You’re not drafting him to run by people though. You’d be drafting him for this:

The great thing about Green-Beckham is the rare gliding ability at his size and the YAC potential. He’s a downfield threat at a playing weight of around 225lbs. That’s insane. Funchess isn’t the same smooth athlete. He can go up and get a football though — and he has underrated ball-skills and the ability to work to get open.

There are divided opinions on him. Lance Zierlein has him down as the #88 player in the draft. Bob McGinn’s anonymous scouts have him right behind Green-Beckham with an early second round grade: “I wouldn’t take him first (round) but I’d take him early two.”

It’s an alternative option that could be a possibility at #63 or with a small move up the board. Make no mistake though — he’s no DGB. Is he ‘Seahawky’ enough? Is he the gritty determined character they want at the position? Or is he just a slightly passive big target without the offsetting speed and dynamism DGB provides?

Norris has the Seahawks taking Frank Clark at the bottom of round three: “Clark is an outstanding athlete who flashes bend and a conversion of speed to power.” If you’re looking for an impact D-end in the middle rounds, Clark’s probably the best bet (if you can live with the character flags).

You can see the mock for yourself but Norris also gives the Seahawks guard Mark Glowinski and center Shaq Mason in round four. My only question here — is Glowinski big enough? Seattle has used major size at left guard under Tom Cable. Ty Montgomery is also taken in round five.

Increasingly Montgomery is being paired with the Seahawks. He’s tough and plays with grit. He can be more than just a kick-return specialist — although he excels there. Character wise he ticks all the adequate boxes and seems like he’d fit right into Seattle’s ultra-competitive locker room. I’d almost be surprised if he wasn’t taken in round four or five. Whenever they can get him.

The Seahawks need a productive kick-returner who can contribute. Special teams is the one unit on the roster (kick returns specifically) that can dramatically improve in 2015. It’s going to be a priority. So much so — don’t be shocked if some of Seattle’s later round picks or UDFA’s carry specific special teams qualities.

Interesting: Of all his pre-draft visits, @StanfordFball WR @TyMontgomery2 said he enjoyed @Seahawks the most. @SiriusXMNFL @JackOnSports

— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 26, 2015

Lance Zierlein and Chad Reuter have also put together a seven-rounder for Seattle. They have the Seahawks taking Hroniss Grasu at #63, Tre McBride in round three and of course Ty Montgomery is a fourth round selection.

Both scenarios make a lot of sense. The Seahawks can take the big receiver early and address a defensive need (or even running back) in round three because the depth is so good on the O-line this year. Yet if the options at receiver don’t match up at #63 (and a trade up isn’t possible) taking the top offensive lineman on your board in round two makes just as much sense.

Grasu is intelligent, athletic and just a really solid prospect. You have to be comfortable with the injury history (could be a difference maker given Max Unger’s health issues) but nobody is going to be left scratching their heads if the Seahawks take Grasu at #63. McBride isn’t a big, physical mismatch like DGB or Funchess, but he’s ultra-competitive, wins the contested catch, is certainly athletic enough with special teams value and he’s a great character guy.

You can easily imagine both players in Seattle.

Again, there’s no right or wrong answer here. Everyone will have their own opinion on what they should do — but for a while now it seems like the options are:

1. Trade-up for a receiver

2. Look at the remaining wide-outs at #63

3. Take the best O-lineman on your board

These two seven-round mocks are a further example of that situation. I think we’ll almost certainly see a power running back drafted in rounds 3-5 (neither mock has considered that scenario). Mike Davis remains an option. It’s interesting that in some quarters he’s rated as high as a third rounder — and yet Bob McGinn’s poll of scouts had him outside the top-12 for the position. If the Seahawks can get him in round four — keep an eye on that. With Todd Gurley now expected to go in the top 10-15 and Melvin Gordon likely to follow, we could see the entire class jolted upwards slightly.

The Seahawks have had a lot of success finding cornerbacks in the fifth and sixth round range. They’ll surely add a corner at some point — but it’s probably unlikely to be early unless a big name suffers an unexpected fall. It was good to see SDB favorite Damien Swann projected to Seattle in Norris’ mock. He lacks ideal arm length but he’s a real playmaker.

A heads-up for the rest of the week. We’ll have a podcast on the blog on Tuesday, with a final mock draft on the Wednesday. I’ll probably do two rounds and cover rounds 3-7 for the Seahawks. On Thursday I’ll be doing a live Google Hangout for the third draft in a row with Kenny and the guys at Field Gulls.

Mitch Morse could be an option for Seattle as early as pick #63

Here’s how the first round played out:

#1 Tampa Bay — Jameis Winston (QB)
#2 TRADE San Diego — Marcus Mariota (QB)
#3 Jacksonville — Dante Fowler Jr (DE)
#4 Oakland — Leonard Williams (DE)
#5 TRADE Miami — Amari Cooper (WR)
#6 New York Jets — Todd Gurley (RB)
#7 Chicago — Kevin White (WR)
#8 Atlanta — Vic Beasley (DE)
#9 New York Giants — Bud Dupree (LB)
#10 St. Louis — Brandon Scherff (T)
#11 Minnesota — Trae Waynes (CB)
#12 Cleveland — Devante Parker (WR)
#13 New Orleans — Danny Shelton (DT)
#14 Washington — Byron Jones (CB)
#15 San Francisco — Arik Armstead (DT)
#16 Houston — Melvin Gordon (RB)
#17 Tennessee — Breshad Perriman (WR)
#18 Kansas City — D.J. Humphries (T)
#19 Cleveland — Malcom Brown (DT)
#20 Philadelphia — Nelson Agholor (WR)
#21 Cincinnati — La’el Collins (T)
#22 Pittsburgh — Kevin Johnson (CB)
#23 Detroit — Eddie Goldman (DT)
#24 Arizona — Randy Gregory (LB)
#25 Carolina — Andrus Peat (T)
#26 TRADE St. Louis — Cam Erving (C)
#27 Dallas — Marcus Peters (CB)
#28 Denver — Ereck Flowers (T)
#29 Indianapolis — Benardick McKinney (LB)
#30 TRADE Oakland — Phillip Dorsett (WR)
#31 New Orleans — Shane Ray (DE)
#32 New England — Eric Rowe (CB)

There were four trades in round one. The Baltimore Ravens now own the #41 pick (from St. Louis) and the Green Bay Packers are at #35 (from Oakland).

I haven’t included trades in the second round because there’s a danger things become too convoluted. We saw a cluster of second round deals a year ago and that could be the same this year. It means the Seahawks stay at pick #63 even though I think there’s a reasonable chance they’ll try to move up. There’s a significant drop off in talent from around #48-55. The quality depth on the offensive line in the mid-to-late rounds could also encourage a move up the board.

Without trades this projection forces us to consider a scenario where a move up isn’t possible. It doesn’t stop us, however, considering some of the possible trade-up targets that might be available.

#33 Tennessee Titans — T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh)
In this mock the Titans acquired Philip Rivers and drafted Breshad Perriman. Adding a right tackle completes the revolution on offense and sets Tennessee up for a bounce back year in 2015.

#34 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Cedric Ogbuehi (T, Texas A&M)
The Buccs could consider moving back into the first round to get a tackle. They need to protect Jameis Winston. They have enough weapons at receiver, now it’s about the O-line.

#35 Green Bay Packers — Eric Kendricks (LB, UCLA)
Just a terrific football player. Not as athletic as his brother in Philadelphia but a cornerstone prospect who will set the tone on defense.

#36 Jacksonville Jaguars — Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana)
They don’t have a playmaker at running back. If they go defense in round one this appears likely. They have to keep building around Blake Bortles.

#37 New York Jets — Eli Harold (DE, Virginia)
Terrific football player who finishes off a formidable looking defense in New York. Could easily be a first round prospect.

#38 Washington Redskins — Jake Fisher (T, Oregon)
They have many needs. Having gone for a big athletic corner in round one, they add a big athletic tackle prospect here.

#39 Chicago Bears — Damarious Randall (S, Arizona State)
He’s being tipped to be the first safety off the board. What’s happening to Landon Collins’ stock?

#40 New York Giants — Mario Edwards Jr (DE, Florida State)
The Giants move him inside to the three technique and address a big need.

#41 Baltimore Ravens — Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri)
Having traded down from #26, the Ravens answer their need for a big, athletic receiver.

#42 Atlanta Falcons — Landon Collins (S, Alabama)
If he lasts this long the Falcons will be getting excellent value.

#43 Cleveland Browns — Denzel Perryman (LB, Miami)
Not the biggest or fastest player but he brings a high level of intensity and can start immediately.

#44 New Orleans Saints — Devin Smith (WR, Ohio State)
Having missed out on Phillip Dorsett at the end of round one, New Orleans comes back for chunk-play specialist.

#45 Minnesota Vikings — Grady Jarrett (DT, Clemson)
He flies into the backfield like a three-technique but he’s stout enough to be a nose. Really fun player to watch.

#46 San Francisco 49ers — Stephone Anthony (LB, Clemson)
They have to bring in a linebacker. This is a sweet spot for the position and a good time to address the need.

#47 Miami Dolphins — Jalen Collins (CB, LSU)
I had a hard time placing him. I’m a huge fan of his potential but a broken foot at the LSU pro-day could push him down some boards.

#48 San Diego Chargers — Ameer Abdullah (RB, Nebraska)
Imagine an offense with Mariota and Abdullah working the controls. That’d be really something.

#49 Kansas City Chiefs — Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)
His tape isn’t as good as his combine display. He’s a bit overrated. KC see the value here.

#50 Buffalo Bills — Ty Sambrailo (T, Colorado State)
The Bills need to keep adding to their offensive line. Sambrailo is athletic and flexible and could play a number of spots.

#51 Houston Texans — Jordan Phillips (DT, Oklahoma)
This feels very low for a huge athletic mountain. If he lasts this long the Texans won’t believe their luck.

#52 Philadelphia Eagles — Ronald Derby (CB, Florida State)
They still have a need at the position and Derby is athletic enough to provide real value in this range.

#53 Cincinnati Bengals — Michael Bennett (DT, Ohio State)
I’m not a big fan personally but he’s the type of interior rusher the Bengals seem to like in their scheme.

#54 Detroit Lions — Donovan Smith (T, Penn State)
Massive college tackle with the skill set and size to project inside. The Lions could use him at guard or right tackle.

#55 Arizona Cardinals — T.J. Yeldon (RB, Alabama)
Never really lived up to expectations at Alabama but Yeldon is big, long and scores touchdowns.

#56 Pittsburgh Steelers — Henry Anderson (DT, Stanford)
Great length and a superb combine. He can be more than just a great run stopper at the next level.

#57 Carolina Panthers — Tyler Lockett (WR, Kansas State)
The Panthers add a return man and a productive, reliable receiver for Cam Newton.

#58 Baltimore Ravens — Preston Smith (DE, Mississippi State)
After replacing Torey Smith at #41, the Ravens go about replacing Pernell McPhee.

#59 Denver Broncos — Paul Dawson (LB, TCU)
He had a poor combine but on tape he just makes plays. The Broncos have a need at inside linebacker.

#60 Dallas Cowboys — Carl Davis (DT, Iowa)
A little overrated after the Senior Bowl, Davis’ tape is pretty average. Still, he’d provide size to the Cowboys D-line rotation.

#61 Indianapolis Colts — A.J. Cann (G, South Carolina)
The Colts add an immediate starter to their interior offensive line.

#62 Green Bay Packers — Maxx Williams (TE, Minnesota)
He just seems like a great fit. Plays tough, reliable, safe hands, slightly cocky attitude. He’d be ultra-productive playing with Aaron Rodgers.

#63 Seattle Seahawks — Mitch Morse (C, Missouri)
Possible the best fit at center for the Seahawks, they take the top O-lineman on their board.

#64 New England Patriots — Sammie Coates (WR, Auburn)
Someone is going to take a chance on Coates’ incredible upside. He needs to do something about the drops if he’s going to work with Tom Brady.

Thoughts on the Seahawks pick

I still believe we’re looking at a scenario where the Seahawks either move up in round two or take the top offensive lineman on their board at #63. With Dorial Green-Beckham taken at pick #41, it’d take a big move to get him. You’re looking at a deal that possibly involves a fourth rounder and a 2016 third rounder. Seattle hasn’t been afraid to make big trades in the past and they’ve been known to give up third round picks (Charlie Whitehurst, Percy Harvin). It’s still a costly move.

Alternatively they could move up a few spots using just a fourth rounder to target a different player. The Detroit Lions at #54 are a realistic trade partner.

So why Mitch Morse if they stay put?

It’d be a bit of a reach but so was Justin Britt a year ago. The late second round isn’t a great position to be drafting in this class. It’s another reason why they might be willing to move up.

Morse’s stock has rapidly grown over the last few weeks. Daniel Jeremiah pointed out this week that if Seattle wants him they probably have to take him at #63. He isn’t going to last until the late third round. If you want a plus athlete with similar size to Max Unger, Morse is your guy. You let him compete with Patrick Lewis and Lemuel Jeanpierre, just as Britt competed with Eric Winston a year ago.

Yes it’s a deep class for centers but do any fit Seattle better than Morse? He’s tough as nails, strong and athletic. He’s graded in the third round but certainly isn’t going to last until Seattle’s pick. You might suggest moving down before drafting him. I’m not sure you can risk it. Washington at #69 need a center and Scot McCloughan is going to be trying to rebuild that roster to match Seattle’s.

In this range you’re really just taking the player you like the most. Morse has a shot to start for a long time, filling one of the biggest holes on the roster at a cheap cost. His relationship with Britt probably helps and retains some familiarity on a changing offensive line.

The alternative pick I considered was Florida State’s Tre Jackson. Tom Cable went to the Florida State pro-day. He could’ve been watching Josue Matias. However, the Seahawks love size at left guard. Robert Gallery, James Carpenter, Alvin Bailey. All big guys with tackle experience. It’s hard to imagine they’ll draft a 300lbs-er for the position. Jackson is 6-4 and 330lbs. You’re looking at a really solid pure guard who just needs a little guidance. He’s an immediate starter.

This is an interesting read on Morse, from Bob McGinn’s anonymous scouting sources:

“Center is a perfect position,” one scout said. “He kind of grows on me. He’s not a naturally big guy so he’s going to get torqued a little bit. He’s got a degree of toughness about him that shows in his play.” Paced centers on the bench press (36 reps) and the vertical jump (31), and scored 29 on the Wonderlic. Short arms (32¼) almost force him inside. “He’s my sleeper,” another scout said. “This guy is one tough sucker. You talk about toughness and tenacity. You grade him and he just blocks his guy. Their left tackle last year (Justin Britt) went to Seattle and started, and there’s no comparison between the two. His feet are good enough.”

Morse gets the nod this week. We’ll do one more final mock next Wednesday.